It's a wrap! The ATD Intro Week 2024 is over and students will now immerse themselves in their own study programmes. The Intro Week ended on Friday, August 30, with a fantastic 'burgers and fries' dinner on the roof terrace and a party in the Academy's Theatre Hall, to which the second-year students were also invited. It was a packed week with: performances, workshops, a photo assignment with visits to all the academies of the AHK, a tour through the ATD, the creation of artistic portraits and various introductory assignments.
We look back on a successful first introduction week.
The Intro Week offers a joint introductory program for all first-year students of the ATD. It is a light-hearted introduction to the academy, its platforms, facilities and employees, but above all a meeting between first-year and second-year students from all bachelor's programs.
Tuesday August 27 - Meet and Greet
All first-year students were received in the Theatre Hall on Tuesday, August 27, where they were welcomed by director Mechtild van den Hombergh, artistic directors and employees of the ATD. This opening was presented by second-year Theatre in Education student Lars Traas. In the afternoon, the students got to know each other better in smaller mixed groups and worked on creative portraits. These works of art formed a beautiful first-year gallery on the windows in the hall during the Intro week.
Wednesday, August 28 – Mapping the AHK city
It was perfect weather on Wednesday to go outside. That day the focus was on getting to know the AHK and Amsterdam. The students were sent on a tour of the AHK buildings with a photo assignment. Back at the ATD, the result of the photo assignment was viewed while enjoying a drink, together with second-year students.
For the second year, Merlijn Twaalfhoven (composer and author of the book Het is aan ons - waarom we de kunstenaar in onszelf nodig hebben om de wereld te redden was invited to create an active session. The students were sent out onto the streets with an assignment to conversation to explore what art can be in small and large encounters.
Thursday, August 29 – Student for student
After a day of activities outside the school, Thursday was a day 'at home' with workshops. The students attended both a workshop at their own study programme and a workshop of their choice at another study programme. These workshops were mainly given by second-year students. A tour of the building was also on the programme, led by second-year students from various study courses. And finally, both the first and second year students visited the De Parade theatre festival for a performance of their choice.
Friday August 30 – Let's create
The first years start the last day of the Intro Week with smaller eyes but full of enthusiasm. For each study course, they worked independently in their 'own' studio to create a presentation that highlighted the DNA of the study course. Under the technical guidance of Marcel and Kiki, these presentations were shown together in the Danstheater during the afternoon. But there were also large numbers of second-year students present, as well as employees from various courses. All amid overwhelming cheers, applause and support for and from each other.
Finally, there was the rooftop dinner, with burgers and fries from the Starlounge team led by Carmen, who provided lunch in studio 809 throughout the week. And to end the week and encourage the weekend, there was dancing in the Theater hall on the band Usuko (students of the Conservatory) and DJ Mishu (alumni student ECD). During this evening, circles were created in which dancers and spectators encourage each other to dance intuitively and without any element of competition. This all made for a nice connected, metaphorical end to the week.
All in all, a full week with many wonderful encounters and memorable moments. While the first-year students still looked around restlessly at the start of the Intro Week, there was an increasing sense of solidarity as the week progressed. Considering their reactions at the end of the week, this was more than appreciated by both first and second year students.
Barbara and Linda (who organize the Intro Week) are looking forward to what these meetings will bring to Wastelands and in the further study years. They would like to emphasize that this Intro Week was made possible by the help of second-year students Liisu, Dagmar, Lars, Diqrah and Zacq and also ATT employees Marcel, Kiki, Dennis, Pim, Dave, all facility staff and of course Carmen and her Starlounge team.
“It's even more fun than I thought it would be” – quote from Design & Technology student
“We have never experienced such an exuberant reaction to a performance. It was fantastic” – quote from National Ballet Academy student
“The atmosphere is so good, I would have liked to participate more during the week, but my work contract expires on August 31 and I was unable to arrange a replacement. I'm annoyed about that. – quote student Amsterdam’s Drama and Contemporary Music Theatre (ATKA)
