Ten middle school students from grades 5 through to 8 recently had a wonderful opportunity to spend three days at a theater festival hosted by the American International Community School of Amsterdam. 

 

After three challenging years when International Schools’ Theater Festivals (ISTA) festivals took place only online, ASH students had the chance once again to experience an exciting weekend of theater. Students from Stockholm, Copenhagen, Luzern, Berlin, Brussels and Amsterdam also joined the Festival.

 

They arrived in Amsterdam on Thursday morning and were immediately plunged into fun full group drama activities with a hundred middle school students. On Friday there was a boat trip through Haarlem. Along with a storyteller, they learned more about the inspiration for the Festival, with the story of ‘’The Little Hero of Haarlem”. In the afternoon, the students worked in their ensemble groups exploring and devising drama, movement and song. The rest of the weekend was spent in a whirl of acting, working in ensembles; creating, moving, singing, getting to know new people and finding out more about themselves.

 

The festival finished with a performance on Saturday afternoon. "It was wonderful to see the story we had heard and the sights we had seen transformed into a living, breathing performance." - Carloline, ASH teacher. Students and teachers alike came back from the ISTA festival feeling inspired, enthusiastic and invigorated:

 

"ISTA is such an inspiring experience. There are so many wonderful people that you meet." - Will

 

"It was fun to learn about Haarlem, go on a boat tour and then walk around the city" - Scarlett

 

"It’s been really fun to interact with the other students. They are really fun to hang out with." Declan

 

"So many new friends. So little time." - Lulu

 

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