The Academy for Theatre and Dance is one of the six faculties of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK). In addition to the Academy for Theatre and Dance (ATD) these are:

  • The Amsterdam Conservatorium
  • The Netherlands Film Academy
  • The Breitner Academy (fine art in education)
  • The Academy of Architecture
  • The Reinwardt Academy for museology

The ATD has seven official HBO study programmes:

  • Bachelor Dance with the graduate profile dancer and choreographer
  • Bachelor Theatre with the graduate profile actor and theatre maker
  • Bachelor Theatre in Education
  • Bachelor Dance Teacher
  • Master Theatre / DAS Theatre
  • Master Choreography / DAS Choreography
  • Master Das Creative Producer

The bachelor Dance profile has four different graduation profiles/study programmes: the National Ballet Academy (NBA), Expanded Contemporary Dance (ECD), Modern Theatre Dance (MTD), Urban Contemporary / Jazz Musical Dance (UC/JMD). As of 2019, the latter two study programmes will be phased out. The school for New Dance Development (SNDO) is part of the choreographer profile.

For the bachelor Theatre, the profile actor has two specializations that we call study programmes: Mime and Drama & Contemporary Music Theatre (Amsterdamse Toneelschool & Kleinkunstacademie). The theatre maker profile comprises four specializations / study programmes: Directing, Scenography, Production & Stage Management and Design & Technology. In addition there is a two-year associate degree for Technical Production.

There are also two teacher study programmes: Theatre in Education (Theaterdocent) (also in an abridged variant) and Dance Teacher (Docent Dans). The Theatre in Education (Theaterdocent) and Dance Teacher (Docent Dans) courses are regarded as a part of the theatre- and dance study programmes respectively.

Therefore if mention is made of theatre or dance study programmes in this study guide, it also includes the study programmes for teachers.

Although the study programmes of the ATD have a lot in common, both substantively and in how they collaborate, they each have their own identity and creative independence because their separate professional fields pose very specific artistic and technical demands. To keep up-to-date on what’s happening; each of the study programmes maintains contact with their own professional field and decides individually to what extent they want to go along with any new developments. They are responsible for updating their curriculum (education programme) and must be able to substantiate and give assurances for their actions. They anticipate possible new developments in professional practice. One of the common departure points for all ATD study programmes is to include in their education those elements that allow students to contribute something new to existing professional practice.

Share