for young people between the ages of 18 and 25
Bonn: March 23-28, 2026
As part of the international EU project STORM – Shakespearean Theatre for Outlasting Resilience in Mental Health, the fringe ensemble, in partnership with the Marin Sorescu National Theatre (Craiova), the Teatro Stabile del Veneto Carlo Goldoni (Venice/Padua) and the Fondazione Fitzcarraldo (Turin), invites you to an international artistic workshop.
The workshop is aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who are interested in theater and artistic work processes and would like to become part of an international project.
WHAT IS THE STORM PROJECT ABOUT?
The starting point for the joint work in the workshop is the work of William Shakespeare, which is reinterpreted in a contemporary way from the perspectives and experiences of the participants. The focus is on emotional expression, collective artistic work and intercultural exchange against a backdrop of social and personal upheaval. STORM examines the role of theater and art in promoting the mental health of young people. The aim is to develop an international artistic co-production that will be presented in Romania, Germany and Italy.
THE WORKSHOP IN BONN
March 23-28, 2026
The workshop includes creative work phases, improvisation, exploration of theater techniques and the joint development of an artistic concept.
The participants selected from the applications submitted will take part in a six-day international workshop in Bonn. The working language will be English.
The workshop will be led by a team of experienced international artists:
- Laurențiu Tudor – Actor, Director, Producer (Romania)
- Marta Dalla Via – author, dramaturge (Italy)
- Frank Heuel – Director (Germany)
- Annika Ley – stage designer, video artist (Germany)
Laurențiu Tudor is an actor, director and producer. He works in both independent and institutional theater and directed the Traian Demetrescu House of Culture in Craiova from 2021 to 2024. For many years he has been involved in the non-formal educational aspects of theater and is internationally active as a workshop leader. He has staged numerous theater productions and worked with the National Theater “Marin Sorescu” in Craiova as well as with renowned directors such as Declan Donnellan and Robert Wilson.
Marta Dalla Via is an actress, author and dramaturge. She studied theater studies (DAMS) in Bologna and completed her acting training at Alessandra Galante Garrone’s theater school. Her artistic work moves between acting, contemporary dramaturgy and performance. Her texts and productions have won several awards, including the Premio Scenario and the Premio Kantor. She works internationally in theater and residency projects.
Frank Heuel is a freelance director and artistic director of the fringe ensemble. He has realized theater festivals such as Theaterzwang (2002) and friends (2004), directed at Theater Bonn (2008 to 2010) and was part of the artistic direction of Schaubühne Lindenfels in Leipzig (2012 to 2014). He has received several awards for his productions and has been invited to festivals. Frank Heuel has been working in an international context for many years, since 2016 with a focus on Turkey and West Africa.
Annika Ley studied stage and costume design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht. Her first engagement took her to Theater Bonn. She has been working freelance since 2009 as a stage and costume designer for the fringe ensemble and has also been a video artist and digital media expert for several years. Together with Frank Heuel, she develops concepts for projects at home and abroad. In 2015, she took part in the Watermill Foundation New York/Robert Wilson Masterclass summer academy as a scholarship holder.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
The STORM workshop is aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 25, regardless of their previous artistic or professional experience. Previous knowledge is not required.
WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM THE PARTICIPANTS?
- Interest in theater and performing arts
- Openness to dealing with topics such as mental health, identity, diversity and social inclusion
- Willingness to engage in a collaborative creative process
- Availability for the entire duration of the workshop (a maximum absence of one day is possible)
- English language skills at B1/B2 level
We select a maximum of 30 participants. The selection is based on the motivation, availability and balanced group composition explained in the registration form.
The selection explicitly aims to create a diverse and inclusive group. Applications from young people from different socio-cultural contexts, from marginalized communities (including ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities or with difficult access to art and education) are particularly encouraged.
HOW DOES THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS WORK?
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the online registration form and must be received by
March 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. must be submitted.
The registration form contains:
- a brief personal introduction with motivation (and relevant experience if applicable),
- Information on availability during the workshop,
- an assessment of interest in the project topic and expectations of participation.
All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of the STORM project team. In addition to the content of the responses, particular emphasis is placed on a diverse, balanced and representative group composition.
The selection results will be announced by e-mail on March 15, 2026.
EVERYTHING AT A GLANCE
- January 20, 2026 – Start of the application phase
- March 13, 2026 – Application deadline
- March 15, 2026 – Announcement of the selection
- March 23-28, 2026 – STORM workshop in Bonn
- 2026 – Participation in the final international presentation
(exact date to be announced)
Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Creative Europe Desk Culture. Neither the European Union nor the funding body can be held responsible.
