“At Home with Buluc” – The Story of Actor Robert Ciupitu and the Creative Entrepreneurship that Brings People Together

Robert Ciupitu, actor and co-founder of the Buluc Association, speaks in a quickfire interview about his journey into creative entrepreneurship, theatre projects, and his desire to turn art into a social catalyst.

Robert Ciupitu is 29 years old, an actor, and the co-founder of the cultural association Buluc. He’s the kind of person who rarely sits still – naturally curious, always searching for new ideas, people, and contexts where art can come to life. He graduated from UNATC (The National University of Theatre and Film), majoring in Acting, and continued his academic path at the same institution with a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Management of Theatre Organizations, which he is now close to completing.

Through Buluc, Robert is not only a trainer for the Challenge Yourself course – a personal development program for adults using theatre techniques – but also initiates projects, coordinates them, and transforms them into living spaces for the public.

He’s passionate about everything related to group dynamics, the process of collective creation, and the way art can become a catalyst for social change. Behind every project run under the Buluc umbrella, Robert is joined by his colleagues Marilena Adam and Mihaela Mardare, with whom he founded the association three years ago. Together, they’ve built a strong team of 11 artists with whom they’ve conceived and carried out a series of cultural projects and events.

C&B: Robert, how would you describe yourself in one sentence?
Robert Ciupitu: I’m an actor who, when not on stage, explores the world of creative entrepreneurship with a lot of curiosity and eagerness to learn.

C&B: What was a defining moment for the Buluc project?
Robert Ciupitu: One of the defining moments for Buluc was when we finally found the perfect place for our ideas. We visualized it, searched for it, knocked on a few doors and, eventually, one actually opened. That’s when everything started to take shape.

C&B: … and the most challenging moments?
Robert Ciupitu: I think the toughest moments are when we have an exciting idea but then comes the hard part: finding the resources to make it happen. Every time we didn’t succeed, we came back to why we started in the first place – that initial energy, plus a healthy dose of ambition (I admit, we don’t give up easily).

C&B: What are your goals with the Buluc project?
Robert Ciupitu: To reach as many people as possible with Buluc. For it to be seen, experienced, and felt by as many people as we can. That’s what fuels us to keep going.

C&B: How was everything at the beginning compared to now?
Robert Ciupitu: In the beginning, I was super impatient and kind of chaotic, to be honest. Now I’ve adjusted the speed – I’m more patient and a bit more organized. Or so I think. If you ask my colleagues… they might have a different opinion. Haha.

C&B: If we met your team or collaborators, what do you think they’d say about you?
Robert Ciupitu: They’d probably say I sometimes overreact to small things – guilty! But I also think they’d say I’m always open to feedback and I genuinely care about what others have to say. I like creating a space where we can speak openly – that’s super healthy.

C&B: What’s the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Robert Ciupitu: Without a doubt, the decision to start Buluc with the Challenge Yourself project – a personal development course using theatre techniques. It was one of the most inspired decisions the three of us made.

C&B: You have a leadership style. What is it?
Robert Ciupitu: Hmm, I’m not sure I have a clearly defined “leadership style” – maybe there isn’t even a name for it, who knows? But I do know how we make decisions. And I say we, because it’s never just “I decide, the rest follow.” I truly believe in teamwork and the idea that the best decisions come from discussion, from exchanging ideas, from genuine collaboration. It’s been a natural process, organically grown along with us and the people around Buluc.

C&B: How do you think your business or professional approach stands out in the industry?
Robert Ciupitu: Honestly, it feels weird to even use the word “business” when talking about Buluc, even though yes, it’s become one over time. For me, it’s always been more of a concept – a vibe, a feeling, an idea that comes directly from the meaning of the word buluc: a big gathering of people, all together, a kind of beautiful and lively chaos. That’s what we wanted to create – something that brings people together, where they feel like they’re part of a community, not just customers walking into a commercial space.
That’s why we chose to operate in the living room of an old house from the 1920s. Because we want every person who walks through the door to feel like they’ve simply come “home to Buluc.”

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Robert Ciupitu: Truth is, I don’t really have “typical” days – each one looks different. There are weeks when my mornings start with rehearsals at the theatre, evenings with Buluc classes, and weekends on stage. Other times, all my energy and time go exclusively into Buluc, and I try to focus only on what’s happening there. But no matter what the day looks like, the best moments are the ones where I feel like I’m doing exactly what I love. That’s where all the satisfaction comes from.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day to day?
Robert Ciupitu: Two things I strongly believe in are perseverance and honest communication. I feel that no matter how challenging a situation becomes, if you don’t give up easily and know how to speak openly with the people around you, things start to fall into place. I try to bring these values into everything I do – whether it’s a new project, a rehearsal, or a workday at Buluc. And maybe the most important thing: I strive to be surrounded by people who believe in the same things, because only then can we build something healthy and lasting.

C&B: If you could share a message with people who follow your example, what would it be?
Robert Ciupitu: I’ll admit, the imposter syndrome kicks in here, because I don’t necessarily see myself as an example – I still have a lot to learn and build. Buuut a message that really stuck with me, one that I received from someone I truly admire, is this:“Always stay curious to discover and be honest when you don’t know something.”
It’s such a simple, yet essential piece of advice – to stay open, authentic, and eager to grow, no matter where you are on your journey.