SESH

ITW NDSM, or Internationale Theaterwerkplaats NDSM, is a unique venue located in the up-and-coming creative district of NDSM-wharf in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Originally established in the early 2000s, the venue found its home in a former shipbuilding warehouse, a relic from the time when NDSM (Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij) was a hub of Dutch maritime industry. With the decline of shipbuilding in the late 20th century, the expansive industrial terrain gradually transformed into an epicenter of artistic innovation and alternative culture.

ITW NDSM capitalized on this transition by repurposing industrial spaces into dynamic settings for experimental theater, live music, club nights, and multidisciplinary art events. Its rough, post-industrial aesthetic and boundary-pushing programming soon gained ITW a sterling reputation among creatives, clubbers, and cultural enthusiasts both in the Netherlands and internationally. Over the years, ITW NDSM cultivated a reputation for championing avant-garde performances, immersive party experiences, and cross-disciplinary projects that blur the lines between theater, music, and visual art.

Its open-minded, inclusive ethos has made it a beloved fixture in the Dutch nightlife and contemporary art scenes, renowned for fostering young talent as well as hosting established renegades. While its location in the iconic NDSM terrain has remained constant, the venue itself has seen several structural metamorphoses, expanding its event spaces and upgrading facilities to better accommodate ambitious productions and larger audiences. Even as Amsterdam’s clubbing landscape has evolved, ITW NDSM has retained its standing as a crucible for innovation and a sanctuary for subcultural expression.

Notable artists who have graced ITW NDSM include international names like DJ Stingray, Helena Hauff, The Black Madonna, and Ben Klock, alongside local Dutch luminaries such as Job Jobse, Sandrien, Tom Trago, and David Vunk. The venue has also featured multidisciplinary collectives like Amsterdam’s own Red Light Radio and experimental theater troupe Orkater, solidifying its place as a landmark at the intersection of music, performance, and contemporary art.