At the end of this term, artsUCL will take 10 students to the Fontainebleau School of Acting (Fonact) in France for a specially curated exchange workshop exploring the craft of acting. The 5-day intensive workshop is entitled ‘Working Together: Creating Through Ensemble Practice’, and will be co-delivered by Fonact and artsUCL practitioners. It’s an opportunity for students to experience Conservatoire-level facilitation and creative collaboration alongside international peers, develop connections and exchange learnings and reflections in a unique environment for experiential learning.
Who is it for?
This opportunity is targeted towards students with a passion for acting and theatre, as well as experience of performing whilst at UCL – either through artsUCL projects and initiatives, or through other projects whilst at university.
Workshop details
Students from both institutions will form a working theatre ensemble and explore ensemble theatre practice in a unique environment. The ensemble will use a classical Greek text as a vehicle to explore the fundamentals of acting, and the dynamics of human exchange that bring stories to life on stage.
Dates
Outbound travel to Paris: Sunday 30th March 2025
Workshop dates: Monday 31st March 2025 – Friday 4th April 2025
Return travel to London: Saturday 5th April 2025
Costs
All costs are covered through the Cities Partnerships Scheme. This includes Eurostar train travel to Paris, metro, accommodation, food, cultural activities.
Visas
Successful applicants will be responsible for checking the entry requirements for France for their passport and personal requirements. Entry requirements may include visa regulations, passport validity rules, and any additional conditions set by French authorities. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the French Embassy in the UK. If required for your passport, you will be responsible for organising and covering any associated costs before travelling.
Application process
You can apply for the opportunity via the webform here, where we will ask you to submit a short video or written statement about why you think you would benefit from the opportunity, as well as some details about your previous experience. Depending on how many applications we receive, we will then hold a practical workshop for shortlisted applicants, and the final decision will be made after both the application and the workshop.
Application criteria
We will make decisions based on the following criteria:
- Passion for the opportunity: we want people to apply who are really passionate about acting, and will benefit from an intensive workshop similar to what would be delivered in a leading Conservatoire
- Suitability for the opportunity: this is a practical acting workshop which will require you to work with commitment and generosity within an ensemble. It’s an opportunity targeted towards those who have already engaged with artsUCL (either through society activity or through our open access workshop programmes) or have equivalent previous experience.
Application deadline
The deadline for applications is Friday 28 February 2025 at 5pm.
About Fonact
The Fontainebleau School of Acting (Fonact) is an international school of excellence in the performing arts, delivering world-class conservatoire training in acting and theatre making in the town of Fonatainebleau, Paris. The school runs a small number of courses for student artists looking to deepen their skills in acting, connection, creativity and storytelling, from three month intensives to a three year professional conservatoire training (with a final year forming a professional theatre company in Athens).