Biography
From alternative hard rock to musical theatre
Playing the guitar was the first thing Ruud picked up as a child, soon followed by writing his own songs.
Growing up in a time when rock music still dominated the mainstream, he was inspired by artists such as Papa Roach, Linkin Park, Rage Against the Machine, and Queen.
Study and Work in the Netherlands
In 2010, Ruud graduated cum laude from the Fontys Academy of the Arts in Tilburg, Musical Theatre department, with his self-written graduation performance One Day Remains, directed by Angela Schijf.
He first gained national recognition in the Netherlands as a finalist in the live television program Op zoek naar Zorro. Following this, he performed a range of roles in the Netherlands, including Britt in We Will Rock You (Stage Entertainment), cover Ramon and Zorro in Zorro (Stage Entertainment), Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Project JCS), and Roger Davis in RENT (M-Lab, DeLaMar Theaterproducties).
As a soloist, he has appeared in productions such as De Passie as Jesus (De Flint, Amersfoort), RENT in Concert as Roger (DeLaMar Theater), Addergebroed in Concert as Baron de Vos van Steenwijk/Drost (Tresore Theaterproducties), 21 on Air (RTL Live Entertainment), as well as various symphonic concerts. He has also been the lead singer of several rock bands.
As an actor, Ruud has appeared in multiple commercials, with a guest role in the TV series Jeuk! and the feature film De Zevende Hemel. In addition, he has provided voice-over work for commercials and animated productions.
Taking His Career Abroad
Since 2018, Ruud has increasingly been working within the German-speaking theatre landscape, where his musicality and strong theatrical instinct have stood out across a wide range of productions. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, he has appeared in diverse musical productions, ranging from classic rock musicals to contemporary and theatrical concert formats. His credits include Berger in Hair (Volkstheater Rostock), Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Musiktheater im Revier, Gelsenkirchen, and Theater Lüneburg), and Frederick Trumper in Chess (Landestheater Linz, Staatstheater Regensburg, and Oldenburgisches Staatstheater).
He performed the role of Roger Davis in RENT as part of the 25th anniversary tour by Hilbert Productions, touring Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. His portrayal was praised for its combination of raw intensity and vulnerability — a quality that also defines his work in roles such as Diego/Zorro in Zorro (Theater Hof and Theater La Poste, Visp), Aramis in Drei Musketiere (Theater Nordhausen), and Man 1 in Songs for a New World (Theater Lüneburg).
Alongside his work as a performer, Ruud has also developed as a director and creator in recent years. He worked as assistant director on Little Shop of Horrors (Theater Plauen-Zwickau), and in the 2025/2026 season he returned in leading roles in Jekyll & Hyde (Staatstheater Meiningen) and RENT (Theater Lüneburg) where he also took the lead in directing.
His ability to adapt quickly to different cultures, production styles, and musical systems makes him a valued member of international ensembles. He moves effortlessly between Dutch, English, and German, performing with equal conviction in symphonic rock concerts as well as in theatrical and musical settings. As a performer, he brings a strong sense of storytelling, physical presence, and musical precision. As a result, his name is appearing with increasing frequency in German cast lists, establishing him as a consistent presence within the musical theatre landscape.
Reviews
Chess
“As American chess prodigy Frederick Trumper, Ruud van Overdijk more than holds his own, his soaring rock falsetto forming a striking contrast to Clear’s lyrical tenor and delivering a powerful ‘One Night in Bangkok’ to open the second act.”
Kulturfeder.de
RENT
“Musician Roger is portrayed by Ruud van Overdijk with both strength and vulnerability, who is highly convincing in both his singing and acting.”
Musicalnieuws.nl
Jesus Christ Superstar
“Ruud van Overdijk plays a confident and strong Jesus. His rendition of ‘Gethsemane’ is one for the books – goosebump-inducing vocals in general, but this 11 o’clock number is phenomenal.”
Broadwayworld