The award ceremony of the ATD Fund student prizes took place on Monday 29 September 2025 at 17:30 in the hall of the Academy of Theatre and Dance: Top Naeff Prize, the André Veltkamp Grant and the Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize.
This year's Top Naeff Prize 2025 was awarded to Daan Buringa, a graduate of Amsterdam Drama and Contemorary Music Theatre (ATKA).
The André Veltkamp Grant 2025 goes to Billy Morgan, a graduate of SNDO Choreography, for the performance The Hunt.
The Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize 2025 goes to Nilah Dönszelmann (Dance in Education)
The presenter of the evening was alumnus Teun Donders (Top Naeff Prize winner in 2020). Alumni and previous prize winners Sia Cyrroes (winner of the Top Naeff Prize in 2022), Liliane Brakema (the very first winner of the André Veltkamp Grant in 2015) and Chun Shing Au (winner of the André Veltkamp Grant in 2024) made a special guest appearance. Pauline Haenen and Nilas Rigter, students at the Amsterdam Drama and Contemorary Music Theatre (ATKA), gave a special performance.
The jury of the Top Naeff Prijs about prize winner Daan Buringa:
'Developments in the sector will not be substantial if people cling to protocols and rules of conduct. It requires talent that seizes the stage with decisiveness and moves us with insight, beauty and wonder.
Daan is such a talent. He paves the way for inclusive education and working practices based on his qualities as a performing artist.'
Top Naeff Prijs jury members: Tim van Dongen, Sabrina van Halderen, Belle van Heerikhuizen, Lois Maat, Christiaan Mooij.
> Download here the jury report (PDF)
The André Veltkamp Grant committee about Billy Morgan - The Hunt:
‘The Hunt is a poetic duet by Billy Morgan, performed together with Tim Brügger. A dance in a circle between a hunter and the hunted, in which roles are not fixed. Morgan has developed a dance piece that moves between improvisational dance, expanded poetry, ballroom dancing and a Delphic ritual. The Hunt is a dance duet that is notable for its gentleness; an implicit and even festive way of sharing painful histories in these times of polarisation.’
André Veltkamp Grant commission members: Floortje Bakkeren, Inge Koks, Gemma van Kruijsbergen, Frank Noorland, Dorothea Sinnema.
> Download here the committee report (PDF)
De jury of the Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize about Nilah Dönszelmann:
'Nilah captivated the jury with her pitch, arousing curiosity about her work and vision as a creator. In her project, she aims to give the women in Picasso's oeuvre their own voice, independent of the male gaze that often defines them. Nilah is aware of the importance of accessibility in her work and has an eye for the potential audience. She consciously chooses to further broaden this audience and ensure inclusivity in her approach.'
Henny Kamerman Danserprijs jury members: Honey Eavis, Dalton Jansen, Wendy Tadrous-Paulusma, Jimat Pelupessy.
> Download here the jury report (PDF)
Oldest theatre student prize
'The Top Naeff Prize is the oldest theatre student prize in the country. The prize is named after writer Top Naeff, who was, among other things, a leading theatre critic. The Top Naeff Prize is traditionally awarded as an incentive prize to promising talent from the Amsterdam Drama and Contemporary Music Theatre Academy (ATKA) or the Mime Training School. The winner receives a sum of €1,000 to spend as they wish.
Grant for outstanding graduation production
The André Veltkamp Grant is intended for a graduation production that stands out for its engagement with today's society. The scholarship is named after André Veltkamp, director of de Theaterschool (since September 2016 Academy of Theatre and Dance) from 1997 to 2010. The scholarship is intended for a final performance that deserves a second life after the Academy. The winner receives €1,000 and tailor-made production support for the revival of the performance.
Prize for the most innovative dancer
The Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize is intended for the most innovative dancer/creator of the past academic year. The award is named after Henny Kamerman, who established and led the Jazz Theatre and Show Musical Dance programme (later renamed UC/JMD) from the late 1980s until 2002. The winner receives a sum of €1,000 to spend as they wish.
About the ATD Fund
The ATD Fund supports students from all programmes at the Academy of Theatre and Dance in completing their education and making the transition to the professional world. The fund does this by awarding prizes and granting contributions. And that is very much needed. Anna Drijver is chair of the fund's board.
Contribute?
Anyone can contribute to the ATD Fund, and it is greatly needed!
Please visit www.atdfonds.nl for more information.
