The National Centre for Dance in Bucharest (CNDB) launches the third edition of the Dance and Performance Academy with an open call dedicated to artists and artists at the beginning of their career in dance, performance and choreography, who want to improve their professional skills and find their voice to become creators on the local and international scene.
This year’s edition takes the form of workshops, through an intensive and consistent programme of practices that focus on the body, knowledge production and contemporary creation. The programme includes lectures, practical and theoretical workshops, visual dramaturgy, choreographic composition and performative practices, as well as a series of mentoring sessions that guide participants on their own artistic path. The courses and workshops are held in English and Romanian and are supported by over 15 practitioners, teachers and guest professionals from the local and international scene.
Trainers*:
Miriam Althammer (DE/AU) Joanna Leśnierowska (PL), Rui Catalão (PT), Charlie Prince (LB), Beniamin Boar (RO/BE), Funmi Adewole Elliott (NG/UK), Ivana Muller (HR/FR), Sigal Zouk (IL/DE), Jan Burkhardt (DE), Sergiu Matis (RO/DE), Gisela Müller (DE), Rok Vevar (SI), Gregor Kamnikar (SI), Dejan Srhoj (SI), Alesandra Seutin (ZW/BE/UK), Rebecca Journo (FR), Irina Botea Bucan (RO), Simina Oprescu (RO), Laura Murariu (RO/BE), Larisa Crunțeanu (RO), Mihaela Michailov (RO), Mihai Mihalcea (RO), Simona Deaconescu (RO), Simona Dabija (RO), Mădălina Dan (RO), Eduard Gabia (RO) Corina Cimpoieru (RO), Andreea Belu (RO), Manuel Pelmuș (RO/NO).
*list in the process of finalisation
Eligibility
- choreography graduates – high school or university – from Romania and the Republic of Moldova;
- master level students in the process of graduation;
- emerging artists with relevant experience beyond the formal education framework;
- knowledge of English (intermediate level);
- availability for online interview and audition-workshop (June-July 2025);
- availability to attend, in Bucharest, the entire training programme over an extended academic year (October 2025 – September 2026).
The selection of participants for the Dance and Performance Academy Labs follows the following schedule:
FIRST PHASE
- Candidate registration: 20 May – 30 June
- Candidate pre-selection: 2 – 3 July
- Online interviews: 4 – 6 July
SECOND PHASE
- Selection workshop: 17 July (at the National Dance Centre Bucharest)
- Posting of the results/admitted candidates: 21 July
The first step is to register by filling in THIS FORM.
Deadline for applications: 6 June 2025.
Participation fee
A fee of 3000 RON is required for courses and workshops during the whole academic year, payable in two equal instalments.
The Academy of Dance and Performance Labs are held over two semesters, as follows:
- SEMESTER I (October 2025 – February 2026)
- SEMESTER II (March – June 2026)
Participants will follow an intensive program of courses and workshops (theoretical and practical) from Monday to Friday, lasting 6-8 hours each day.
- Mentoring sessions (June – September 2026)
Find more information here.
Dance and Performance Academy Labs participants have free admission to performances scheduled at the CNDB from October 2025 through September 2026.
The CNDB aims to support participants by integrating them into paid artistic practice (e.g. in the Performative School for Children and/or dance workshops for adult audiences).
The Academy of Dance and Performance Laboratories is a program co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund.
The project does not necessarily represent the position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the grantee.