Performing Arts
Advanced Course 2026
encontros do devir (devir meetings)
interpretation and creation_theatre&dance
26th January to 24th July 2026
proposal
We believe in the democratic gesture that listens to the other and seeks parity. That’s why this course was conceived as a ‘place’ for change, for becoming, for multiple encounters and experimentation, for relationships that involve sharing, co-evolution, with no room for reproducing formulas. Let it be an opportunity for guided growth, a cumulative process that contributes to discovery, to the revelation of artistic identities, and even to (re)drawing directions in a desire for development and transformation.
With a duration of 6 months (January – July 2026), divided between CAPa’s venue, Performing Arts Centre of Algarve (CAPa_Faro) and other spaces in Algarve as well as in Andalusia region, this course will have a modular and compact format. It will consist of practical and theoretical classes, from which the participants will develop different works.
The meetings/classes will be led by a group of renowned professionals, references in the national and international context. These professionals will accompany/share their knowledge, their creative processes and methods as well as their experiences, through multidirectional approaches that understand the present and the future, that promote an individual and collective political awareness of the recognition of being free and democratic, environmentally and socially committed, and of doing things ethically and aesthetically.
The multiplicity of approaches will promote questioning and dedication, discovery and expansion while exploring unformatted/free creative processes. These processes will be enhanced by the diversity of information shared through observation and experimentation in the context of collaborative work, individual and collective, which will contribute to deepening the interests of each participant, encouraging them to accept the tension and power of ‘not knowing’, and therefore to work in the dimension of the unknown, of the doubt and search.
This training also includes the possibility of some participants being selected to join a project company for two months (October and November) – experience in a paid work context. Directed by an invited director or choreographer, this company will also include professional performers, and there will be a calendar of performances in different theatres in Portugal.
structure
6 months 26th January to 24th July 2026
380 hours practical and theoretical training
280 hours individual/collective exploration accompanied by the DeVIR team
16 participants theatre&dance
*16 invited performers and/or creators theoretical and practical training theatre&dance
*10 accomplices theoretical training online
*8 programmers
* other invited trainers to be announced soon
7 modules 3 weeks each module;
1st week with the dance invited artist > 5 days (25 hours) in person;
2nd week with the theatre invited artist > 5 days (25 hours) in person;
3rd week individual exploration/solo construction.
+ residencies, rehearsals and public performances, as well as a programme of performances in different venues in Algarve and Andalusia.
The invited artists are proposed to begin the 5 days of their module with a presentation of their work, based on an idea of retrospective and prospective BALANCE. Over the following 4 days it is intended that they will discuss and analyse two or three creations from their repertoire, which will serve as an object of joint analysis/reflection, by sharing their creative processes and working methodologies.
At the same time, there will be weekly theoretical sessions given by guests chosen by the invited artists (performers/creators), their “accomplices”, who will give critical and contextualised readings of the creations covered in the practical training. This promotes access to up-to-date theoretical training that will support and complement all the practical knowledge provided.
This information will serve as a stimulus for each participant to develop a solo lasting 3 to 5 minutes in the 3rd week of each module, accompanied by the DeVIR team, which will be subject to peer evaluation and, whenever possible, by the invited artist of that module.
In the final phase of this course, participants will carry out artistic residencies at CAPa and other residency spaces to develop duets, which will be presented at the Cineteatro Louletano and Teatro das Figuras.
complementary activities
In a practical and organic way, participants interested in acquiring knowledge of mediation and programming practices will have access to the training support for programmers, which also aims to encourage the creation of a community of spectators. The aim is to create a fruitful complicity, based on the de-hierarchisation and convergence of interests between the participants in the training, the programmers and the audience, all together contributing to make this course a complete and comprehensive offer.
Because we are committed to holistic and integrated training, the structure of this course includes a programme of performances, by some of the invited artists (performers/creators), which will be presented throughout the 6 months of the course. These performances will be part of the program of different venues in the Algarve and Andalusia. It will be an opportunity for the participants to watch a range of very different creations and to analyse their creative processes, together with the artistic teams and the communities of spectators.
professional internship
Considering the importance of training in a professional context, some participants will be selected to join a project company – paid work experience. During 2 months (October and November) a guest director or choreographer will create a performance, also involving professional performers and is expected to tour nationally.
participants
The course has a strong practical component, centered on thought and construction, aimed at those with training and/or experience in the areas of dance and theater (subject to audition), who are curious and open-minded.
It is aimed at those who want to know and experiment, who are willing to take risks and even make mistakes, and who accept critical observation as a constructive and supportive act.
invited artists & accomplices
Albano Jerónimo
André e. Teodósio
André Lepecki
Cláudia Lucas Chéu
Connor Scott
Dora Bernardo
Erna Omarsdottïr
Ezequiel Santos
Florencia Demestri
Francisco Camacho
Francisco Frazão
Ivo Canelas
José Maria Vieira Mendes
Miguel Honrado
Miguel Loureiro
Mónica Calle
Pedro Barreiro
Pedro Penim
Rita Blanco
Rui Horta
Samuel Lefeuvre
Simon Mayer
Sofia Dias
Tereza Lenerová
Vera Mantero
Vítor Roriz
… among others, to be announced soon
language
Portuguese and English will be the working languages of the training, depending on the trainers and participants.
Applications can be sent in Portuguese or English.
schedules
classes Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 16:30, with a pause for lunch;
laboratory optional, from Monday to Friday, 17:00 to 18:00.
A detailed work plan will be provided before the course begins. Timetables are subject to change according to needs.
dates / selection process
applications open from 14th April to 10th November 2025
1st phase applications from 14th April to 14th July 2025
communication of pre-selection results: until 18th July 2025
audition/interview – online: 23rd, 24th and 25th July 2025
communication of results: until 31st July 2025
2nd phase applications from 15th July to 10th November 2025
communication of pre-selection results: until 14th November 2025
online audition/interview: 19th, 20th and 21st November 2025
communication of results: until 28th November 2025
course dates 26th January to 24th July 2026
holidays 28th March to 5th April 2026
internship opportunities October and November 2026
applications
from 14th April to 10th November 2025
Applications can be submitted using the online form and can be completed in Portuguese or English.
The application period is open continuously from 14th April to 10th November 2025 and comprises two application phases, each one with two selection stages – pre-selection and online audition. (see more information under ‘dates/selection process’)
fees
registration 120 euros
full payment of the course 1.500 euros
payment in three instalments 550 euros x 3
Financial conditions should not be an impediment to your application.
If this is your situation, please attach a brief statement to your application (in the ‘observations’ field or, if you prefer, contact us).
scholarships
There will be scholarships covering up to 70% of the course fee, as well as grants to support accommodation.
More information will be available soon.
organization and partnerships
organization DeVIR/CAPa
co-production Câmara Municipal de Faro, Teatro das Figuras, Câmara Municipal de Loulé, Cineteatro Louletano
DeVIR is a structure funded by República Portuguesa – Cultura | Direção Geral das Artes
+ info
If you have any question, please contact us:
devir-capa@devir-capa.com
(+351) 289 828 784 | Ana Rodrigues (+351) 918 703 415 | Vitória Horta (+351) 968 478 217