There have never been so many entries for the AHK Graduation Prize! The jury received a record number of 61 graduation projects for this ninth edition of the prize. Ten projects have now been selected for the shortlist of nominees. The prize, consisting of a cash prize of €3,000, will be awarded in two categories: for the best Bachelor’s project and for the best Master’s project. In addition, there is also an audience award. The jury, chaired by Yassine Boussaid (director of the Meervaart theatre), will announce the winners on Thursday 21 January 2021.

The following alumni & projects have been nominated:

Bachelor

• Maayke Pleijers, Pieter Kapteijns, Indy Kisoen and Thom Lunshof (Production and Directing Fiction) with Harmonia;
• Rebekka Nilsson and Roel Pronk (Theatre Directing and Drama and Contemporary Music Theatre) with Hedda;
• Sanne Bokkers (Mime) with Mad Voices;
• Milou Gevers (Directing Documentaries) with ‘Waarom bleef je niet voor mij?’ (Why didn’t you stay for me?);
• Shelley Bos, Pip Lucas, Damaris de Jong and Sam Kosterman (Drama and Contemporary Music Theatre and Production and Stage Management) with You Can Not Lockdown My Fantasies.

Master

• Hanna Prinssen (Landscape Architecture) with A Fire-Scape;
• Ronald Hueskens and Jansje Meijman (Master of Education in Arts) with BijBloemPraatPlantsoen;
• Alberto Reguilón (Classical – composition) with Earwash;
• Lea Grüter (Museology) with Parrhesia of Traces;
• Lindsey van de Wetering (Architecture) with Poku Oso.  

Criteria
How do you compare choreography with an architectural design, or a heritage thesis with a mime performance? The jury are faced with a difficult task each year afresh. Important criteria upon which the jury evaluates the entries, in addition to them having been assessed as very good,  include the way in which a connection is made with the outside world in the graduation work, and the relevance of the work for the further development of the profession.

Award ceremony
On 21 January 2021, the jury will announce the winners during a festive ceremony. The winner of the audience award (the content of which will remain a surprise until the presentation) will also be announced then.
Date: Thursday 21 January 2021, 16:00-18:00
Location: still to be announced. This is dependent on the coronavirus measures

More information about the Graduation Prize. You will find a detailed presentation of the projects here soon and you will be able to vote for your favourite project for the audience award.