Exciting news! Submissions are now officially open for the 5th edition of Fresh Start!

We are looking for enthusiastic young artists who are eager to experiment, research, collaborate, and discover the exciting world of theater production in an independent setting!

Now in its fabulous 5th edition, Fresh Start aims to introduce 8 fresh graduates of vocational arts (acting, directing, playwriting, set design, choreography, and music) to the thrilling process of staging a show using devised theater techniques in a fully independent setting.

The 8 selected residents will enjoy the wonderful guidance of experienced artists skilled in various creative methods. The first part of the residency will be led by:

● Sinkó Ferenc – a fantastic actor and lecturer at the Faculty of Theater and Television in Cluj-Napoca, with a rich background in choreography and performance art

● Petro Ionescu – a brilliant playwright, member of the Reactor team, and expert in devised theater and research-based theater methods

Our residents will dive into hands-on work alongside Ferenc Sinkó during a team-building workshop, exploring exciting methods from performative theater and dance. This is where they will shape the direction of their new project based on shared interests, followed by an inspiring theoretical and practical introduction to devised theater by Petro Ionescu. Throughout the residency, the 8 participants will benefit from ongoing, supportive meetings with Petro Ionescu to help develop their show concept and dramatic structure.

This exciting program spans several months and features creative workshops, a production period (July-August), and special work-in-progress viewings with collaborative artists from the Reactor space.

The residencies are open to talented young graduates who have finished their studies within the last 5 years and are not yet permanently employed in the field, coming from both Romanian and Hungarian departments of theater universities across the country. Plus, "Fresh Start" happily welcomes collective applications in various artistic pairings (e.g., director-playwright or director-choreographer) if you have a shared vision—just let us know in your application form!

The residencies are paid, and the organizers will happily provide accommodation for participants coming from outside Cluj-Napoca.

To apply, simply fill out the application form which you can download right here:

Please send your applications to freshstart.rezidente@gmail.com by April 15th at 11:59 PM.

Following the application process, the mentors and project coordinators will select a directing concept. Around this concept, a vibrant mixed team of a director, a playwright, a set designer, a choreographer, actors, and/or dancers and musicians will be formed based on the applications. We might also schedule a friendly chat (live or via Skype) between April 17th and May 10th.

Mark Your Calendars:

April 15 — Application Deadline

April 17 – May 10 — Selection of Participants

May 11 — Announcement of Participants

July 1 – July 15 — First stage of the residency, guided by mentors: hands-on workshops with Sinkó Ferenc and Petro Ionescu

July 16 – August 31 — Second stage of the residency: creative sessions with Petro Ionescu, rehearsals, and viewings

September – October — The grand public presentation of the final show, as long as epidemiological safety guidelines allow.

A cultural project proudly co-funded by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN).

This project does not necessarily represent the official position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. 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 grant beneficiary.

Organizer: Reactor Association for Creation and Experiment

Partners: Replika Educational Theater Center, Faculty of Theater and Film Cluj-Napoca, University of Arts Târgu-Mureș, National University of Theatre and Film Bucharest, Faculty of Letters-Department of Arts of the University of Craiova, and George Enescu National University of Arts in Iași.

Graphic design: Mihai Păcurar