© Joana Rodrigues / Created and interpreted by Maria Pyatkova / Mostra de Jovens Criadores FAÍCC 2019
FAICC
FAÍCC – Intensive Course in Interpretation and Choreography – is an intensive, dynamic and interdisciplinary course that takes place during the first half of the year at Instável – Choreographic Center. This program is aimed at creators and performers with a solid background in dance and who seek to deepen it in a process oriented towards professionalisation in the areas of interpretation and choreography.
In FAÍCC, we search for the ideal atmosphere for the development of creative work, be it individual or in group, encouraging cooperation. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their own space, body and movement language, in an experimental lab kind of approach. The development of the creative identity of the students is prioritised.
Program and Tutors
FAÍCC is based on a modular structure, and each module will be organised by a guest tutor.
Every year, Instável invites various tutors – creators or performers established nationally and/or internationally – from very different backgrounds, including movement techniques, choreographic creation and composition, dramaturgy, cultural production, creative voice, video-dance, site-specific, feedback method, light and sound, among others. Each tutor organises their own module, sharing their experiences, perspectives and singular creative processes in a constructive environment. The vast number of tutors contributes to a broad and diverse pedagogical pool, with the purpose of encouraging research and development of each student’s creative individuality.
At the end of the program, participants will have the opportunity to present their cocreations (to be developed throughout the course) at the Sala Estúdio of Municipal Theatre of Porto – Campo Alegre.
Applications
In 2023, the course will take place between February and July in a total of 625 hours. The second phase of auditions, with only 6 spots left, will run until December 23rd 2022, online, in the form. Access to FAÍCC Program is dependent on application, audition and interview.
Fee
Registration: 180€
Course: 1887€ (full payment until the 21st February 2023); or 1987€ (750€ in february 2023 + 3 instalments of 333€)
In collaboration with GDA – Gestão dos Direitos dos Artistas, it has been possible to offer further support and training grants to Portuguese and foreing students whose tax address is in Portugal. These grants aim at the empowerment of Portugal’s artistic outlook within the dance area, and they cover 20-40% of the program’s cost (does not include the registration fee).
Participants’ testemonies
Ana Rita Xavier [FAÍCC’19]
“The experience I had in the program was very important and propulsive for me. I felt quite lost before the program, because I didn’t know how to manage and apply my energy and will and, suddenly, [FAÍCC] gave me a context, a space in which to create and be creative; to share with others; to inspire [myself] and be inspired; to meet new people – both colleagues and tutors; to see and experience new approaches e – most important of all – [FAÍCC] made me realise things that had already change in myself and others (like patterns I wanted to understand more deeply: some I wanted to break and others I wanted to follow). FAÍCC was also a place for that. I hope you will enjoy FAÍCC, take what’s best from it and have fun.”
Lara Serpi [FAÍCC’19]
“I did FAÍCC in 2019 and, for me, it was a great opportunity, a surprising experience. I met many good choreographers and beautiful people to work with. This program taught me a lot about choreographic composition and what I enjoyed the most was finding my own way of creating. At the end of the program, I build my first creation – my forst solo – and as I was in the program, I had the opportunity to be an intern in Willi Dorner’s creation for Instável (“Ballet de Causa Única”) and after the program I was also part of Roberto Olivan’s creation for Instável, “TIMBER”, which is still touring!”
Sara Garcia [FAÍCC’17]
“For me, FAÍCC was a huge opportunity to work with different portuguese creators and also some international creators. It allowed me to know myself better, both as an interpreter and creator, given I could experiment every week a new way of seeing my creation and it was, in fact, an essential launching ramp in my career and my professional life. With FAÍCC, some tutors invited me to do internships and, later, to work with them. Also with Instável, I started some new creations and collaborations, mainly site-specific, and, for that, I consider my experience in FAÍCC was indeed very enriching.”
Collaborations
Every year, Instável promotes partnerships with many cultural structures with the purpose of promoting opportunities for creating and publicly presenting projects with FAÍCC.
The partnership with the Municipal Theatre of Porto (TMP)/Porto’ City Hall provides ticket discounts for some of the Theatre’s programmed performances, and offers the integration of the students in activities organised by the TMP, i.e. DDD Festival and workshops. Furthermore, the Theatre receives the final presentation of FAÍCC – the “Mostra de Jovens Criadores” (“Young Creators’ Showing”) – at Teatro do Campo Alegre.
The project “Percursos Pela Arquitetura” (“Paths Through Architecture”) gathers partnerships such as the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto (FAUP), and the Open House Porto event (at Casa da Arquitetura).
Serralves Foundation has coproduced creations interpreted by the students of FAÍCC, highlighting the works of Emmanuelle Huynh, Hélder Seabra e Gustavo Ciríaco.
GDA Foundation had supported Instável by assigning grants to Portuguese and foreing students with tax address in Portugal.
Previous editions
Course hours: 525 hours
Students 21 students (7 Portuguese and 14 foreign)
Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Artistic Director / Cultural Production and Percursos pela Arquitetura (FAUP)
Ángela Diaz Quintela (ES) – Contemporary dance
Catarina Feijão (PT) – Contemporary dance
Cristina P. Leitão (PT) – Sharing (online)
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance, improvisation and coach
Elisa Zuppini (IT) – Choreographic Composition and Sharing (online)
Gustavo Ciríaco (BR) – Choreographic Composition
Hélder Seabra (PT) – Testemunho (online)
Henrique Pina (PT) – Testemunho (online)
Joclécio Azevedo (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition and coach
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach
Manolis Tsipos (GR) – Feedback Method (online)
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Creation
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgia e Coach
Paulina Almeida (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video
Raul Maia (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Roberto Olivan (ES) – Choreographic Composition
Tânia Guerreiro (PT) – Production (online)
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition and coach
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Contemporary dance and Sharing (online)
Colaborations with other institutions:
Festival DDD, TMP (Porto)
Municipal Theatre of Porto
Serralves Foundation (Porto)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto
House of Architecture / Open House Porto
The 9th edition of FAÍCC took place in the year of 2021, being slightly affected by the governments restrictions due to the pandemic situation. In this sense, the online format was one of the innovations of the course, not only as a resource for exposure, process of selection, but also within the program, by creating some online modules – this allowed to reduce and delay the on-the-spot attendancy period. Nevertheless, the course happened in its totality.
Course hours: 550 hours
Students: 13 students (7 Portuguese and 6 foreign)
Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Cultural Production (online) / Coach
Angela D. Quintela (ES) – Contemporary dance
Catarina Feijão (PT) – Contemporary dance
Cristina Planas Leitão (PT) – Sharing (online) / Flying low+Passing Through
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance / Coach
Diogo Barbedo (PT) – Technical Direction and Lights
Elisa Zuppini (GR) – Sharing (online) / Contemporary dance
Francesco Scavetta (IT) – Release Technique
Gustavo Ciríaco (BR) – Creative Process at Serralves Foundation
Helder Seabra (PT) – Choreographic Composition
João Cardoso (PT) – Contemporary dance
Joclécio Azevedo (PT) – Choreographic Composition / Coach
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach (online)
Manolis Tsipos (GR) – Feedback Method (online)
Marco da Silva Ferreira (PT) – Contemporary dance
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy (online)
Nuno Preto (PT) – Creative Voice
Raúl Maia (PT) – Improvisation
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video (online)
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Sharing (online) / and Outside Spaces
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Colaborations with other institutions:
Festival DDD, TMP (Porto)
Municipal Theatre of Porto
Serralves Foundation (Porto)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto
2020 was an atypical year, given the pandemic situation, which shortened the 8th edition of FAÍCC. The program started in January and was terminated in March, although it was supposed to finish only in July. Some modules and collaborations with other cultural entities were suspended, specifically the projects planned together with Casa da Arquitetura, through the Open House Porto event; Serralves Foundation, for the event “Serralves em Festa”; and with the Arts School from Católica University.
Course hours: 650 hours (planed)
Students: 15 students (11 Portuguese and 4 foreign)
Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Artistic Director / Cultural Production and Percursos pela Arquitetura (FAUP)
Ángela Diaz Quintela (ES) – Contemporary dance
Catarina Miranda (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Cristina P. Leitão (PT) – Contemporary dance and coach
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance, improvisation and coach
Duarte Valadares (PT) – Contemporary dance
Elisa Zuppini (IT) – Choreographic Composition
Hélder Seabra (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joana Castro (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joana Von Mayer Trindade (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joclécio Azevedo (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach
Mafalda Deville (PT) – Contemporary dance
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy
Nuno Preto (PT) – Creative Voice
Paula Moreno (PT) – Contemporary dance
Ricardo Alves (PT) – Tech: light and sound
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Coach
Colaborations with other institutions:
Municipal Theatre of Porto
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto
In the year of 2019, the total of hours of the course and number of students was expanded, in comparison with 2018. Internships and professional opportunities were also a constant, gathering a total of 29, from which 5 were paid opportunities. In this year’s internships, we also counted with the presence of 13 ex-students, who were integrated in various projects.
Course hours: 650 hours
Students: 21 students (12 Portuguese and 9 foreign)
Internships and professional opportunities: 29 interships (5 paid; 13 (ex-)students were integrated)
Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Cultural Production and Percursos pela Arquitetura (FAUP)
Bruno Listopad (PT/NL) – Choreographic Composition
Catarina Miranda (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Cátia Esteves (PT) – Contemporary dance
Cristina P. Leitão (PT) – Contemporary dance
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance and improvisation
Elisabeth Lambeck (NL/PT) – Contemporary dance, improvisation and coach
Joana Castro (PT) – Contemporary dance and improvisation
Joana Von Mayer Trindade (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joclécio Azevedo (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition and coach
Liliana Garcia (PT) – Contemporary dance
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach
Mafalda Deville (PT) – Contemporary dance
Mafalda Mendonça (PT) – Percursos pela Arquitetura FAUP
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy
Nuno Preto (PT) – Creative Voice
Renan Martins (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition
Ricardo Alves (PT) – Tech: light and sound
Raúl Maia Alves (PT) – Improvisation
Sara Garcia (PT) – Percursos pela Arquitetura FAUP
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Coach
Yannis Adoniou (GR) – Choreographic Composition
Colaborations with other institutions:
Casa da Arquitetura (Matosinhos)
Cineteatro Alba (Albergaria-a-Velha)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto
Festival DDD, TMP (Porto)
Serralves Foundation (Porto)
Ginasiano – Escola de Dança (Vila-Nova de Gaia)
Municipal Theatre of Porto
In the year of 2018, the program’s total hour count was 480, and 16 students participated. Both during and after the course, participants were offered 46 internships and many professional opportunities, from which some were paid.
Course hours: 480 hours
Students: 16 students (10 Portuguese and 6 foreign)
Internships and professional opportunities: 46 estágios
Tutors:
Ana Figueira (PT) – Cultural Production and Percursos pela Arquitetura (FAUP)
Bruno Listopad (PT/NL) – Choreographic Composition
Cristina P. Leitão (PT) – Contemporary dance
Daniela Cruz (PT) – Contemporary dance and improvisation
Helder Seabra (PT/BE) – Choreographic Composition
Hofesh Shechter Company (Diogo Sousa e Merel Lammers) (UK) – Hofesh Shechter Repertoire
Joana Castro (PT) – Contemporary dance and improvisation
Joana Von Mayer Trindade (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Joclécio Azevedo (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition and coach
Liliana Garcia (PT) – Contemporary dance
Luís Mestre (PT) – Coach
Mafalda Mendonça (PT) – Percursos pela Arquitetura FAUP
Marco da Silva Ferreira (PT) – Contemporary dance
Marta Lopes (PT) – Yoga
Miguel Moreira (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Nuno M. Cardoso (PT) – Dramaturgy
Nuno Preto (PT) – Creative Voice
Pedro Branco (PT) – Video
Renan Martins (BR/PT) – Choreographic Composition
Ricardo Alves (PT) – Tech: light and sound
Vânia Rovisco (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Victor Hugo Pontes (PT) – Choreographic Composition
Yannis Adoniou (GR) – Choreographic Composition
Colaborations with other institutions:
Casa da Arquitectura (Matosinhos)
CID: Concurso Internacional de Dança (Porto)
Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto
Festival DDD, TMP (Porto)
Festival Lá Fora (Évora)
Serralves Foundation (Porto)
Municipal Theatre of Porto
In this FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) tab you can find answers to questions you may have. For further clarifications send an email to: faicc.program@gmail.com
I only intend to attend a certain period of FAÍCC/FOCAR. Can I still sign up for it?
No, it is not possible to apply only to a part of the course. Even though the FAÍCC has a modular structure, it was planned as one multidisciplinar and complete experience – one course and not a group of separated modules put together. Nevertheless, there are a couple of “open modules” – and, in those, there will be external students joining in.
Do I need to present a health certificate to participate?
We take your health very seriously and it is very important to know you are physically well and prepared for this intensive course. Besides your written confirmation (in the contract you will sign in the first day of classes), we highly request an official declaration of your doctor, saying you are (physically) able and healthy to join the program.
When the declaration and/or the results somehow show injuries or health issues that could really danger your health, we will strongly advise you not to participate in this edition. Note: We will not kick you out when you decide to stay and join the program despite our advice, but in that case we might let you sign a document, declaring you attend our program on your own responsibility.
Can I attend only a few modules of the course?
The course is one program, designed to be experienced as an all program. But, of course, you are free to skip classes. Please, keep in mind that, if you miss more than 50% of a module/subject, it won’t be referred in your diploma. During the course, there are a couple of “open modules” and for those (and only those) external students can apply.
How many presentations will we have throughout the course?
The amount of presentations is not fixed, it depends on each edition’s specific program and partnerships. In any case, the course always has a strong creation/ presentation dynamics, so the student can expect:
Up to 3 informal presentations (of their own creations done during research weeks);
At least 2 presentation of “Percursos”, a site-specific project connecting dance and architecture;
Up to 2 presentations/ creation process with a invited choreographer;
One final presentation of co-creations in a theatre (small stage)
Do students have any kind of assessment throughout the course?
The students will receive weekly feedback from the tutors. For us, positive, specific and individual feedback is the most important kind of assessment: the tutors are incentivized to use direct feedback as much as possible and also, after each module, to write a qualitative assessment. We also develop the feedback in between the work group, creating an interesting environment based on trust, respect and positiveness.
Students don’t receive quantitative feedback because we dont believe in a numerical bidimensional assessment.
Does the course provide accommodation and food?
No, but we can share with you information and contacts to help you with your search for accommodation and also give you some tips about the living cost in the city, including food expenses.
Does the course offer a certificate at the end?
Yes, each student can require a final certificate with all the completed modules. However, so that each module is included in the certificate, you must attend, at least, 50% of the module.
Can I apply for any scholarship?
Yes, if there is any available. In the past 6 years, Fundação GDA has been supporting Portuguese or students based in Portugal. Please contact us about this, if you are portuguese or resident in Portugal.
Also, if you intend to apply on your own for a scholarship (from your country, for example) we are happy to help you with it and we are available to send you any document you might need from the Company.
Can I use the course facilities for other activities?
Yes. After the classes, you can use the studios for rehearsals and research (but it has to be previously booked, so it is your responsibility to schedule the time you want with the person in charge).
Also, there are a few activities taking place at our facilities that you can attend, including regular dance classes twice a week.
How are the facilities of Instável and how can I have access to the studios?
Besides the office, there are two studios, a dressing room, a terrace and a common area. It is possible to have access to the studios and other facilities from 9am to 11pm, every day.
Where can I eat?
There are a few restaurants and supermarkets around Companhia Instável and also two student’s cafeterias a few minutes walking – at Architecture Faculty and at Planetário.
If you would prefer, you also have the option of bringing your own food and warm it up in our microwaves and you have space at Companhia Instável to eat.
What does a weekly schedule look like?
The regular schedule is from 9.30am until 3pm, from Monday to Friday.
Occasionally, there will be some weeks with a schedule until 6pm and, for presentation projects, there might be necessary to work/rehearse during the evening or at weekends.
Will there be online classes?
Depending on the pandemic situation, there may be. Besides that, the first two weeks are usually online, which will allow you to travel later to Porto.
What kind of professional experiences can I expect?
It depends on each edition’s specificities and partnerships, as well as the projects that are going on at Companhia Instável during your course. It also depends on the students availability, interest and, of course, if their profile fits what we are looking for projects we have in hand.
As the course was designed towards experimentation and professionalization, and the students can be invited to do small internships in some projects (both from Companhia Instável and from our partners), and some of them may be paid. Also, being daily at our studios where many residencies are taking place and having classes with very active creators/tutors, gives you the chance to get to know the “artistic tissue” of the city and it has happened that some students were directly invited to some projects with them.
In 2019, for example, the students had 29 professional opportunities (5 of them were paid, the others were internships).
Can I work as I am enrolled in FAÍCC?
Yes, many students from FAÍCC did that in the past editions. In the specific case of FAÍCC, we organise your daily schedule to finish around 3pm.
We have to warn you, though, that it can be difficult for you to do night shifts and, in the modules with different schedules, it can be more challenging to conciliate. Also, keep in mind that, besides the actual classes, you will have time to research and work on your creations.
How do the facilities look like and when can I have access?
Lugar instável (where most FAÍCC classes will take place) is the headquarters of Companhia Instável, that works as Choreographic – with many residencies, workshops and projects take place there.
Besides the team’s office, there are 2 studios, one collective dressing room (without shower), a rooftop, and a common area. It is possible to have access to the facilities daily from 9 am to 11 pm but, after the “office schedule” you need a permission to use it and to book a working schedule.
Where can I get more information about the program?
The Instável team is always available to answer any questions you might still have about the program and you can contact us through social media, email or phone calls.
However, we believe that the alumni, the ex-students of FAÍCC, are actually the ones that can give you the best information! We can provide some contacts and we often put candidates in contact with people that were in a similar situation.
What is the inscription fee?
The inscription fee covers administrative costs as well as the accident insurance. It gives us the information that you are actually planning to do the course – only after you proceed with the inscription payment, your vacancy in the program is guaranteed. If you are not sure you plan to do it, please, we suggest you to not proceed to this payment immediately, since this fee is not refundable.