Accademia Teatro Dimitri: Academy for Physical Theatre of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland<br /> <br /> The Theatre School, founded by the Swiss Clown Dimitri in 1975, now part of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) is unique in Europe, in that it offers basic training in all aspects of physical theatre. The Theatre School offers a three year Bachelor of Arts and an 18 month Master of Arts in Physical theatre. The School also is a recipient of grants to research and explore different aspects of movement theatre. Over Spring break and during the summer months, the School organizes professional and non professional workshops and seminars taught by invited faculty and artists known in their field. The degree curricula emphasise developing each student's talents, taking into account his or her personal, creative and physical potential. The focus is on creating original material: students are expected to invent characters and write their own dramatic material. In line with the principles of the Bologna Declaration, the three years of basic training and the year of specialization form two distinct phases: Bachelor and Master. During the first year, the curriculum Bachelor focuses on basic techniques of bodily expression and movement. The final two years of this basic training are devoted to the creation of original dramatic material where the spoken word is secondary. The purpose of the three year Bachelor’s course is to produce independent, responsible artists, able to thrive in the theatre world, develop a personal style and flourish in a competitive environment. The School has a studio theatre where students stage productions on a regular basis to gain performance experience. Larger scale productions as part of the Dimitri Theatre's programme and touring are also a part of the curriculum.