The idea for a SCHOOL FOR AUDIENCES AT LITTLE CITY THEATRE "OFF THE CHANNEL" was born both from the longstanding experience of European theatre in actively attracting and developing their young audiences, and from the growing problem with that particular age group in Bulgaria. The Little City Theatre "Off the Channel" tries to debate with rather skeptical views by making the most of the multiple opportunities and friends it has.

THE UNIVERSITY aims at developing young theatrical audiences not by didactic advice but by its initiation into the magic of theatre. The otherwise invisible processes, entire professions and faces become accessible to the "students" of the university. They can now see theatre in its offstage mode of living, to experience the hardships and the charm.

THE UNIVERSITY reveals the production cycle of a show - from the first reading of the text through rehearsals at the table and on stage, then on to designing and making of the set all the way to creating the sound environment, setting the lights… The synthetic character of theatre arouses interest in the other arts - visual, dance, music. The University for Audiences therefore develops a broader view of the arts.

The members of the audience are not merely silent on-lookers in the UNIVERSITY. They take part in the work of the team, they have the opportunity to ask questions, make discoveries for themselves, talk to prominent artists/
Theatre is revealed to them as a place inhabited by people of rare professions. Creating and preserving original costumes and rare objects which find their place on the set, the art of the theatrical make-up artist, the wig-maker, the lights and sound technicians etc. turn the University student into a connoisseur of the unique items created for especially the theatre but also valuable for their own sakes.

THE UNIVERSITY becomes common theatrical territory for young people of varied social and ethnic status. Among our "students" we have young people from several high schools in Sofia, Roma children, university students from various places.

The programme for THE UNIVERSITY FOR AUDIENCES AT LITTLE CITY THEATRE "OFF THE CHANNEL" has been designed for a period of 3 years. There is an edition per month, each with its own theme.
Well-known actors, directors, scenographers, composers and theatre critics have been presented so far. We have had also open classes of professors from the National Academy of Theatre & Film Arts with their students. Over the three years' period of the University the audiences will be able to follow the professional development of these young actors.

The UNIVERSITY aims at not simply educating its young audience but also creating an awareness and joy as spectators. In this respect the project has missionary ambitions as well - its goal is not simply to provide for a full house but to provoke the partnership of an intelligent and demanding audience.

SUCCESSFUL GRADUATES ARE AWARDED "DIPLOMAS" AND BONUSES FOR THEIR VISITS TO THE THEATRE

Initiators and organizers of this unique theatre educational nodule for Bulgaria, we are currently in process of raising further funds from various organizations to increase the list of artists whose art and artistic biography would be an exciting experience for the students of the "university".

SCHOOL FOR AUDIENCES : EDITIONS

1st edition - 24 February 2003


featuring

actors Itzhak Finzi, Deyan Donkov
director Prof. Krikor Azaryan
scenographer Prof. Svetoslav Kokalov
and students from the class of Prof. Plamen Markov
National Academy of Theater & Film Arts

2nd edition - 23 March 2003


featuring

actors Ilka Zafirova, Petar Popyordanov
writer Valery Petrov
director Margarita Mladenova
and students from the class of Prof. Snejina Tankovska
National Academy of Theater & Film Arts

3rd edition - 20 April 2003


featuring

actors Maria Sapundjieva, Yossif Surchadjiev
writer Georgi Danailov
and students from the class of Prof. Plamen Markov
National Academy of Theater & Film Arts

4th edition - 18 May 2003


featuring

actors Aneta Sotirova, Krustyo Lafazanov
make-up artist Yanka Doichinova
and students from the class of Prof. Anastassia Savinova
National Academy of Theater & Film Arts

5th edition - 27 October 2003


featuring

composers Assen Avramov and Stefan Vuldobrev
performed by actors from Little City Theatre

6th edition - 18 November 2003


featuring

actors Stoyana Mutafova, Ivan Petrushinov
writer Konstantin Iliev
director Lilia Abadjieva
and students from the class of Prof. Zdravko Mitkov
National Academy of Theater & Film Arts

7th edition - 15 December 2003


featuring

actors Jeny Pashova, Rumen Rachev
directors Slavcho Malenov, Kiriakos Argiropolus and Peter Pashov
City Puppet Theatre troup
and students from the class of Prof. Jeny Pashova
National Academy of Theater & Film Arts

8th edition - 23 February 2003

featuring

actors Nickola Anastasov, Vladimir Penev
director Ivan Dobtchev
scenographer Vecheslav Parapanov

9th edition - 29 March 2004

NEW GENERATION IN THEATRE

featuring actors

Stefania Koleva, Kristina Yaneva,
Anastassia Ingilizova, Liudmila Slaneva,
Georgi Kurkelanov, Vladimir Karamazov,
Dimiter Rachkov, Krassimir Radkov,
Petar Kalchev, Svetlana Bonin,
Stoyo Mirkov, Irini Jambonas

10th edition - 26 April 2004

featuring

actors Tatiana Lolova and Hristo Mutafchiev
director Bojko Bogdanov
playwright Stefan Tzanev

11th edition - 10 May 2004

featuring

actors Stefan Danailov and Valentin Tanev
playwright Hristo Boichev
and the Acting class of prof. Stefan Danailov
National Academy for Theatre & Film Arts

12th edition - 29 November 2004

TEDI MOSKOV AND FRIENDS, AND ONE ENEMY

featuring

director Stefan Moskov
actress Maia Novoselska
the company of theatre "Ulicata"
and composer Antoni Donchev

13th edition - 22 December 2004

featuring

actors Mariia Kavardzhikova and Atanas Atanasov

14th edition - 31 January 2005

SATIRICAL THEATRE AND ITS STARS

featuring

Georgi Kaloianchev
Rashko Mladenov
Vassil Popov

15th edition - 28 February 2005

YOUTH THEATRE AND ITS ACTORS

featuring

Georgi Kadurin
Malin Krastev
Mariana Milanova
Silvia Lulcheva
Stanka Kalcheva
Stefan Mavrodiev