Improteca - The Festival 2026

Overview

Improteca - The Festival is an international improv festival in Bucharest, Romania, organized by Improteca, an independent improvisation theater founded in 2018 by Andrei Bratu. The 2026 edition is the festival's second year, following the inaugural 2025 edition. Themed around musicality, rhythm, and the "profound state of presence in improvisation," the festival is self-funded by the community with no institutional backing.

Described as "independent, intentional, and international, built by improvisers for improvisers," the festival takes place in Improteca's intimate attic venue on Strada Comanita in central Bucharest. The week-long program includes advanced workshops, showcases, community jams, a competition for Romanian troupes, and guest shows selected through an international open call.

Workshops

Six international trainers lead workshops in English across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The 2026 lineup includes Cindy Pittens (Netherlands), Dan Codureanu (Romania), Liron Barre (Amsterdam/Tel Aviv), Sophie Kneebone (Melbourne/Copenhagen), Abel Farkas (Budapest), and Lieze Walcarius (Ghent, Belgium). Topics span physical theater, musical improv, ensemble awareness, and presence work.

Submissions

The festival accepts show applications for two competition levels - Fresh Faces and Master Level - with shows in Romanian or English. The 2026 show application deadline was March 25, 2026. Trainer applications closed February 20, 2026.

Sources

• Improteca - The Festival 2026 (official site)
• Improteca main website
• Improfestivals listing
• Daily Magazine Romania - coverage of inaugural 2025 edition
• Radio Romania International - Improteca profile