Leerdam, J.A.W.J. (PvdA) 

Committees

• Education, Culture and Science
• Foreign Affairs
• Netherlands Antilles and Aruban Affairs
• Interior and Kingdom Relations
• Art committee
• Housing, Communities and Integration
• Interparliamentary committee on the Dutch Language Union

Education

• Secondary school in Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles)
• Maastricht Academy of Drama, acting course, 1982-1983
• Amsterdam Theatre school, majored in theatre direction and drama instructor, specialised in 'Black theatre' and 'Musical theatre', 1983-1987
• Actor trainings at American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York Director trainings at School of the Arts (New York University) Specialised in 'Black theatre' and 'Musical theatre', 1986-1987
• MFA (Master of Fine Arts) at Columbia University in New York, 1991-1995
• Management training communication skills, Columbia University, New York, 1993-1994
• Postgraduate degree - SIPA (School of International & Public Affairs) at Columbia University in New York, 1995
• Strategic Management, Gustav Käser Training International, Netherlands, November 2001

Career

• Assistant professor, Columbia University in New York, 1992-1994
• Assistant program director, Film Society Lincoln Center in New York, 1993-1995
• Artistic leader, Cosmic Theater in Amsterdam, 1996-1999
• Freelance director and instructor dramatic expression, various theatre companies and schools, 1997-1998
• Freelance trainer, various ministries and consultancy agencies, 1998 - February 2003
• Director and artistic leader, Cosmic Theater in Amsterdam, 1999 – January 2003
• Member of the Dutch House of Representatives, since January 2003