Inspiring Wastelands week 2025; knowledge, deepening, connection and exchanges between courses.

First-year students of the Academy of Theatre and Dance participated in Wastelands from Monday 24 February to Friday 28 February. The regular study programme made way for a multidisciplinary week. A week with a packed programme created by and for students with plenty of room for getting to know each other, connection, deepening and future collaborations and inspiring workshops.

On Monday, all students from different courses were mixed and formed groups via an animal game. In these groups, works of art were made based on origami, which formed an exhibition in the hall throughout the week. In the afternoon, the game room, jam room and quiet room were installed, which were used extensively throughout the week.

After following a “starter of the day” (with a choice of yoga, capoeira or massage/meditation on Tuesday and Wednesday), the students could choose on Tuesday which two courses they wanted to follow a “a day in the life..” workshop. A good way to get to know each other's curriculum.

On Wednesday, the professional field entered the school. In the morning and afternoon, the students could follow a workshop, amongst other with Jakop Ahlbom Company, Theater Oostpool, De-construction fashion, Hofesh Schechter dance workshop, Club Guy & Roni and Poezieboys. And on the roof terrace, two different groups pimped the picnic tables and sown new greenery.

The fourth day, Thursday, was dedicated to House of Vineyard. During the day, the students were introduced to the ballroom scene through discussions, a quiz, a documentary and four workshops. We concluded the day with The Function in which the students formed four 'houses' that together showed the results of the workshops to the jury on the runway.

The last day (Friday) the students concluded with Instant Compo(sition). The Wastelands team had collected a number of props and costumes in the Danstheater after which the groups, as they were formed on Monday, had to quickly provide a twelve-minute improvisation. This led to a lot of fun and a surprising result. The technology (light and sound) was handled by D&T students. We ended the week with a dinner, provided by Starlounge, in studio 809 with a sunset on request. Then it was time for the closing party in the Theaterzaal where the already good atmosphere was increased by the presence of DJ Solange and a photo booth.

Although fewer students participated in the program than expected, we can still look back on a creative and inspiring Wastelands week.