11th Edition of ETC's European Theatre Academy
07- 11 July 2025
at Festival d'Avignon (France)
Applications for the 2025 Academy are now closed.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 11th edition of our European Theatre Academy, taking place from 07- 11 July 2025 at the Festival d'Avignon. Designed for ambitious theatre-makers working internationally, the programme features masterclasses, mentoring sessions, and valuable networking opportunities.
Are you a forward-thinking theatre professional ready to take your work to the next level?
Do you want to expand your international network, sharpen your producing skills, and collaborate with like-minded individuals from across Europe?
The Academy is an opportunity to dive deep into the complexities of producing and managing international theatre collaborations. This is your chance to work on your own project with expert mentors and join a vibrant community of creative, driven individuals who are passionate about the performing arts and want to make a difference.
What's in it for you?
- Masterclasses & Expert Sessions: You’ll gain access to practical insights on funding, production, sustainability, touring, and much more, all geared towards navigating the international theatre landscape.
- Tailored Mentorship: You’ll receive direct support from three incredible mentors who will help you develop your project idea, address your challenges, and find solutions to the key questions you face as a theatre professional.
- Project Development: This Academy isn’t just about learning – it’s about doing. Through group work and coaching, you’ll have the space to focus on the practical realities of your own project and its international potential.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with young theatre professionals from across Europe, share experiences, and build meaningful, lasting connections in the industry.
- Festival D’Avignon: Immerse yourself in the energy of the Festival d’Avignon. Attend performances, engage in discussions, and bring new perspectives back to your own work.
- Creative & Practical Support: We will help you navigate both the artistic and administrative challenges of your project. Together, we’ll find ways to help you bring your vision to life in an international context.
Mentors & Speakers
Paulien Geerlings
Artistic Lead of Young Europe, Head Dramaturge at De Toneelmakerij (The Netherlands), ETC Board Member
Paulien Geerlings is a dramaturge, translator and yogi. After her high school education, she studied Philosophy and Theatre studies at the University of Amsterdam. In 2004 she graduated from DasArts, an international, multidisciplinary Master of Theatre, based in Amsterdam and founded by Ritsaert ten Cate. Between 2004 and 2006, she has been working with Theatre Company Dood Paard. In 2006 she became dramaturge of Ad de Bont, playwright and artistic director of the youth theatre company Wederzijds. This company merged with Liesbeth Coltof’s Huis aan de Amstel in 2009 and became De Toneelmakerij, the Amsterdam theatre company for young audiences.
Since its establishment, Paulien Geerlings has been the in-house dramaturge of De Toneelmakerij. As dramaturge, she has a strong focus on new writing, coaching of playwrights and supporting writers initiatives. She translated several plays for De Toneelmakerij. Her latest work entitled "2022 Witnessing U: Testimonials from the Frontline" was created together with Bogdana Orleanova and Iana Gudzenko based on testimonials from the war.
Dubravka Vrgoč
General Manager of the Croatian National Theatre 'Ivan Pl. Zajc' Rijeka
Dubravka Vrgoč has a M.A. in Comparative Literature, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, 1996 and a B.A. in Dramaturgy and World Literature, Academy of Theatre, Film and TV, Zagreb and Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, 1984. She worked as Artistic Director and General Manager of the Zagreb Youth Theatre (2004-2014) and Artistic Director of World Theatre Festival (since 2003). From 2014 to 2022, she was the General Manager and Artistic Director of Croatian National Theatre Zagreb. From 2011 till 2017, she was the President of European Theatre Convention. She is currently the general manager of Croatian National Theatre 'Ivan Pl. Zajc' Rijeka. She has a large professional experience, worked as theatre critic and later she was working as general editor in daily newspaper Vjesnik. She won two scholarships: Fulbright scholarship - Research in American Theatre and Culture, New York, 1995 and British Council scholarship – participation in the project Theatre for the 21st century, London, 1997. She has lots of international theatre experiences in many national and international co-productions and collaboration with different cultural partners.
Tom Leick-Burns
Artistic Director and General Manager of Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg (Luxembourg), ETC Board Secretary
Tom Leick-Burns was born in Luxembourg and initially trained as an actor at the Drama Centre, London. Since then, he has appeared in over 20 professional theatre productions, starred in numerous films and was awarded the prestigious Studio Hamburg Shooting Star Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2004. His career took a different turn when he was approached to work as a freelance production manager for the Grand Théâtre in Luxembourg. Using his knowledge of British theatre and excellent language skills, he was hired to facilitate and look after international projects. Since then, he has been able to work on an eclectic range of theatre, dance and opera productions, using his organisational skills and gaining invaluable experience in project management. With his hands-on approach and indomitable spirit, Tom quickly adjusted to his new role while at the same time taking on new challenges. In 2008, he facilitated the first professional English-language production in Luxembourg and programmed parts of the Grand Théâtre English-language season.
Iris Laufenberg
Artistic Director at Deutsches Theater, Berlin/Germany and ETC Vice-President
Iris Laufenberg studied applied theatre studies in Giessen. Since her time as artistic director of the Bonn Biennale festival, one of her focuses has been on new drama, which she has done in her 10-year activity as director of the Theatertreffen of the Berliner Festspiele, among other things with the profiling of the authors' promotion at the Stückemarkt, as well as subsequently expanded as theatre director at the Konzert Theater Bern. At the Schauspielhaus Graz, Iris Laufenberg founded the annual International Playwrights Festival Graz at the beginning of her artistic directorship in 2015, within which, in addition to contemporary drama, the cross-border, content-related understanding of theatre professionals and young talents is promoted. Iris Laufenberg's focus on the thematic and aesthetic possibilities of the public space (city) theatre between local roots and global necessity is reflected in interdisciplinary and cross-genre projects.Iris Laufenberg is involved nationally and throughout Europe in representing the interests of theatre and in the further development of the art form. She is a board member and vice president of the European Theatre Convention. Iris Laufenberg is the artistic director of the Deutsches Theater Berlin since 2023/24.
Who are we looking for?
We’re not just looking for a project – we’re looking for YOU. We want to know about your journey, your ambitions, and why the European Theatre Academy is the next step in your development.
In your application, tell us:
- Who you are: Share your story, your background, and what drives you to be part of the European Theatre Academy.
- Why you want to take part: What’s your motivation? How do you think this programme will help you grow, and what do you hope to achieve
- Your project: What is your idea, and what makes it relevant for an international audience? What challenges are you currently facing, and how can we support you in overcoming them?
- Your work: Include references or examples of past projects – what have you already done, and what do you still want to explore?
We're equally interested in you as a person and the project you are submitting. We will take into account the fact that theatre plays a very important role in making sense of the complex world we live in. Please think about the relevance of your project in terms of the current social, political and economic realities and share how you would like to make a difference.
Candidate profile
The call is open to theatre professionals at the beginning of their careers have already had a certain level of experience in their own country but who have the ambition to develop their work internationally.
Profiles of the selected participants may vary depending on their interests and experiences. Applications from theatre directors, dramaturgs, producers, touring managers, international relations managers or indeed anyone involved in the creative process working for an independent company or an institutional theatre across Europe are welcome.
The call is open to applicants:
- From all ETC Member Theatres
- From independent theatre professionals residing in the following countries: Ireland, Denmark, France, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Conditions of Participation
The European Theatre Academy is pleased to offer its comprehensive programme—consisting of mentorship, masterclasses, a panel discussion, international networking, a welcome dinner, a lunch cocktail and theatre festival tickets—entirely free of charge.
To foster community building and resource management, ETC secured the event's accommodation for all participants at the heart of Avignon, within walking distance to all major programme locations.
For organisational reasons, we require all participants to utilise the Academy's accommodation facilities, which include a hotel and a villa.
Accommodation options consist of shared rooms and individual spaces, either as a private room or a sofa bed within shared apartments. The fees for these accommodations are €535 for a shared room or €965 for a private space, with breakfast and tax fees included, per person. These prices cover four nights, from 7-11 July.
While you may indicate your preferred room and accommodation choice on the registration form, please note that we will endeavour to accommodate your preference as best as possible, but cannot guarantee your preferred availability.
Nonetheless, all selected and confirmed European Theatre Academy participants must commit to residing in the Academy-provided accommodation to enhance our community experience. ETC will invoice the due accommodation amount, and participation in the programme is subject to the timely payment of the amount.
Take a look at the accommodation here:
© Christophe Raynaud de Lage
