Andrei Bratu: The Art of Turning Improvisation into Experience

Discover the story of Andrei Bratu, actor and founder of Improteca, and learn how improvisation becomes art, education, and therapy through a unique cultural project in Romania.

Andrei Bratu is an actor, improviser, theater and improv trainer, founder of Improteca Theater. He is a creator of artistic and educational experiences that bring the stage and the classroom together, inspiring young people and the community to discover courage, creativity, and the joy of authentic self-expression.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to make those who don’t know you yet curious?

Andrei Bratu: Probably the most curious thing about me is that, above all, I am a person who always chooses to believe in people, in values, in authentic moments, in big dreams, and in a better world. And I think most people are still surprised by that.

C&B: If we were to trace the narrative thread of your career, what were the key moments that defined you?

Andrei Bratu: The context I came from didn’t push me toward art at all — quite the opposite. That’s why the key moments in my career were those when I had the courage to break away from other people’s expectations and choose the path of art. In high school, although I was in a science-focused program, I attended theater classes where I met director Teodora Câmpineanu, who prepared me for admission to UNATC and who is still a close friend and collaborator today. University was an essential stage, but I believe the main engine was my desire to make things happen: I formed my first improv troupe, I started teaching, I opened a school, and now I have both a school and a theater — Improteca. I also had the courage to organize an independent festival, because I strongly believe in the independence of this space. Recently, I completed a master’s degree in theater institution management at UNATC, which opened new perspectives for me. If I were to sum it up, I think what defines me is the constant pursuit of growth, together with the extraordinary community that has formed around Improteca Theater.

C&B: What have been the main challenges in turning an artistic passion into a sustainable business?

Andrei Bratu: The challenges were, are, and probably always will be. Improv remains a niche form of theater in Romania, despite the efforts of all schools, trainers, and students. From the start, we chose to build a business in an artistic area that is little known. Then, finding a suitable space was hard, and getting through the pandemic and constant legislative changes was extremely difficult. We face the same problems as all entrepreneurs in Romania, but in art their impact is felt much more strongly.
In addition, I am first and foremost an actor, and that means a daily struggle with myself and with my colleagues to understand and accept what running a business entails. I believe there is a lack of entrepreneurial and financial education in many fields, but in art this need is enormous. Management, administration — I learned them directly, on the ground, through trial and error. These challenges have not disappeared even today, but now I look at them with more maturity and experience than at the beginning.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?

Andrei Bratu: The phenomenon itself. Improv is a complex and difficult phenomenon, but extraordinarily generous. It’s like sports — it gives back exactly as much as you invest and as much as you are willing, at that point in your life, to discover about yourself. On the improv stage, you are even more vulnerable than on the acting stage because you must be ready to be unprepared. That means showing yourself as you are, with everything you feel and think, often raw and unfiltered. For me, this is why I say improv is also a form of therapy: it works directly with you as a human being, it trains your memory, creativity, spontaneity, and especially your courage to make mistakes and turn mistakes into resources. Beyond technical virtuosity, it is one of the most creative art forms and, like any authentic art, it has the power to change lives. I’ve seen people overcome fears on stage, I’ve seen children gain the courage to express themselves and make their voices heard. That is the unique reward of this profession and the engine that guides me no matter the obstacles.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have transformed up to now?

Andrei Bratu: What a good question! At the beginning, I was just an actor, fixated on the script and on safety, 100% artist. Over time, I learned to be vulnerable, to accept mistakes as part of the game, and to build real relationships with the audience, not just shows. Then I became a trainer and took on the responsibility of what I pass on. I learned to be a manager too and to juggle my roles. It’s not easy: I have to know how to put administrative worries aside when I step on stage, not to draw attention to myself when I teach, to be demanding as a director but empathetic when working with children. To be a high-energy master of ceremonies in shows for kids, but also generous and attentive when performing with my colleagues. I’ve learned to manage all these roles better, without losing enthusiasm. I think that’s what has changed the most: the enthusiasm remained but settled on a foundation of seriousness and experience.

C&B: If we were to meet your team, what would they say about your personality?

Andrei Bratu: I think you should ask them directly. I tend to believe they would say that sometimes I’m a bit absent-minded, other times very stressed about tomorrow, but also that I can be extremely happy and enthusiastic when we manage to do something beautiful together. It depends a lot on periods and days, but I hope that above all, they would describe me as someone deeply involved, who fights to build something meaningful.

C&B: What is the most important decision you made that changed your trajectory?

Andrei Bratu: There were many difficult decisions, but the hardest was in 2020, during the pandemic. I was in a long-distance relationship of three years — I lived in Bucharest, she in Switzerland — each with our projects and careers. That year, borders were closing alternately and we ended up spending almost half a year without seeing each other. The situation was complicated anyway — I had given up my rent and was literally living inside Improteca to save money and pay back my partner’s investment after we had parted ways. I slept on stage, in a tent, and it seemed like nothing remained from everything I had built. But I knew I couldn’t give up. Then she made an incredibly hard decision: she gave up everything she had built in Switzerland in seven years and moved to Bucharest, getting a corporate job. We both took huge risks to continue together. I think that was a decision that profoundly changed our trajectory, both personally and professionally.

C&B: Is there a moment or feedback that showed you the real impact of your project on people?

Andrei Bratu: Yes, there are many extraordinary moments that confirm what we are doing makes sense. Around the theater, a wonderful community has formed — very diverse people: therapists, teachers, actors, doctors, programmers, HR specialists — who have supported us for years. Among them are many who have directly felt the benefits of improv: people with anxiety who got on stage and performed shows, students who learned to consciously work with emotions, their body, their memory, and their fears. Positive feedback is a constant, and many times I see the impact before participants even realize the changes in their daily lives. And that brings me great joy and gives me the motivation to move forward.

C&B: What differentiates Improteca from other cultural or personal development projects?

Andrei Bratu: First of all, I think all projects aimed at personal development are extraordinary, and I have a lot of admiration for my colleagues who create valuable cultural initiatives. I am convinced that authentic ideas are not born in isolation but need community and a cultural platform to grow. We cannot evolve alone.
What differentiates Improteca, I believe, is the combination of art, personal development, and a sustainable business framework, as well as the variety of ideas we bring to the stage and courses.
We are deeply grateful for the Improteca community, these people who give us energy, inspire us, and support us unconditionally. In addition, I am fortunate to work with an excellent team of trainers.
Also, our offer is very diverse: from theatrical improvisation (short form and long form courses), to sketch comedy, musical improv and rap, solo improv, to classical theater, diction, and public speaking. All these aim to create connection and support the personal growth of our students.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the greatest satisfaction?

Andrei Bratu: My days are very busy, and in fact, no two days are alike. I start mornings with classes for children, then rehearsals, meetings, workshops with adults, administrative tasks, visits to state institutions, talks with the accountant, I develop a personalized teambuilding program and discuss it with HR… and even cleaning. If an hour opens up, I immediately find something to fill it with. I don’t know how sustainable this pace is in the long run, but this has been my life for a while now.

C&B: What values or principles guide you, and how do you apply them daily?

Andrei Bratu: I believe in people, in community, and in family, and in the idea that together we can change the world. I deeply value truth and the joy you feel when you know the person in front of you has the best intentions. Empathy is also essential for me, not only in my profession but also in the way I choose to live my life. Likewise, simplicity and authenticity: for me, they have immense value, and I couldn’t imagine my life without them.

C&B: How was Improteca born, and what inspired you to build a project dedicated to improvisation?

Andrei Bratu: Improteca was born out of the desire of a group of enthusiasts to offer a real space for artists and audiences, not just online, where improvisation is experienced, not explained — a school, a theater, a laboratory of spontaneous expression.
I strongly believe in the benefits of improvisation and I am convinced it offers an extraordinary path of development, especially if you are lucky enough to discover it from a young age. Unfortunately, today’s education system completely ignores certain essential skills, and the workplace environment even more so. That’s why we exist.
I wanted to build a theater, or rather a laboratory of spontaneous expression, that is 100% dedicated to the community. At Improteca, many of the events are created and performed entirely by students, because I wanted them to have a place where they can create, grow, and step on stage alongside actors and trainers with 15–20 years of experience. If we stubbornly keep the stage only for a few professional actors, then we don’t really help those who want to grow through art. And in the end, that’s our purpose: to open the stage and offer a space where people can discover and transform themselves.

C&B: What are Improteca’s development plans for the coming years?

Andrei Bratu: We dream of consolidating as many partnerships as possible, both in Romania and internationally, and of bringing artists from abroad to work with us, as happened through the Culture Moves Europe program. I would like to expand the program, organize festivals, and contribute to the growth of the improv community in Romania.
Also, I strongly believe in interdisciplinary artistic collaborations. I have a project close to my heart, Pain7ed Scenes, which combines painting and improvisation in a very special dialogue: scenes start from painting, and while Mihaela Georgescu and I perform them, painter Lavinia Falcan translates them onto canvas, inspired by the energy of the moment. I would love for us to develop more such projects.
Another dream is to get more involved in social projects. In addition to the free classes we already organize in disadvantaged areas, I would like us to bring shows and maybe even improv workshops into nursing homes. I believe improv can bring joy and meaning where they are most needed. We have many ideas, and I believe that step by step, we can turn them into reality.

Andrei Bratu demonstrates that the art of improvisation can transform not only the stage but also the lives of those who experience it, and Improteca is where courage and creativity come to life.