A learning community focused on creative entrepreneurship & arts education in Malta.
Studio 18 is a community of creative practice and learning, established in 2013. OUR PROGRAMMES
Contemporary Theatre Making (Creative Lab)
Acting
Musical Theatre
Playwriting
1-2-1 Coaching
Individual Audition Prep
Production Arts (in collaboration with Spazju Kreattiv)
OUR VALUES
Creativity and Innovation
Quality Learning
Communication and Collaboration
Play
Critical Artistry
Active Citizenship
OUR TEAM
Creative Director | Jean-Marc Cafa`
Director of Learning | Simone Spiteri
Director of Strategy | James Azzopardi Meli
Programme Coordinator | Robyn Vella
Senior Mentor for Wellness | Rebecca Attard
Senior Mentor for Musical Theatre | Rachel Fabri
Mentor for Music | Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur
Mentor for Movement | Matthew Zammit
Wellness Officer | Nicola Camilleri
International Consultant | Paul Edwards
Learning Consultants | Ian Azzopardi Meli, Learning360 Foundation
Creative Associates | Andre` Agius, Christina Cauchi, Chris Gatt
Two workshops. Sustainability-driven. For the cultural and creative sector. 🌱
Studio 18 invites cultural practitioners, sustainability specialists, and young people to come together for a full day of exchange, reflection, and co-creation.
Living Lab: A facilitated workshop bringing together CCS professionals and sustainability experts to unpack current challenges, share practices, and explore policy-level ideas for more environmentally responsible ways of making and presenting cultural work.
Co-creation Café: A facilitated workshop with young people, where insights from the morning are translated into concrete ideas and recommendations; centring future-focused perspectives that will be shared at EU level.
📍 Valletta Design Cluster
🗓 24 January 2026
Join us in shaping fairer, more sustainable futures for culture.
Learn more: studio18malta.com/cores
📩 Apply via the link in our bio
This project is co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission under the Culture strand of Creative Europe 2021–2027 and the Deputy Ministry of Culture in Cyprus.
02/01/2026
As we embark unto the new year, we asked our 1-to-1 mentoring students to share one lesson they’re carrying forward from 2025. Thoughtful, honest, and very much their own 📝
It's a good reminder that not all lessons come from a textbook.
Sometimes it’s a bone prop.
Sometimes it’s a physical mat.
Sometimes it’s a reminder to maybe keep the Christmas tree up next year, Jean 🎄
29/12/2025
A snippet from our ILMA R&D showing - with some reflections from one of our performers, .
ILMA explores power dynamics, pressure, and safeguarding within Malta’s aquatic sports community. Rooted in local realities, the project is currently in its research and development phase, bringing together artists and members of the sports community to reflect on vulnerability, responsibility, and care within non-formal education spaces.
This work is being developed to premiere in November 2026, creating space for conversation, reflection, and change.
🌊 Supported by Arts Council Malta
24/12/2025
As the year comes to a close, we’ve been looking back at some of our favourite moments from our Young Leaders series 🫂
More stories, voices, and learning to come in the year ahead ❤️
21/12/2025
Around a month on since our R&D showing at Theatre Next Door, and we’re still carrying the energy of that room with us ⚡️
Ending the year surrounded by such open, curious, generous creative spirits has reminded us why we do this work in the first place - and why we’re so excited for what’s coming next. We can’t wait to share what’s taking shape in 2026 🌊
ILMA (working title), written by Simone Spiteri, explores power dynamics, pressure, and safeguarding within Malta’s aquatic sports community.
Rooted in the local scene, ILMA is currently in its research and development phase. The project is being developed in collaboration with professionals and members of the sports community, using theatre as a space for reflection on vulnerability, responsibility, and safeguarding in non-formal education.
While not an exposé or investigative work, the play, set to premiere in November 2026, invites us to look closely at youth, power, and the systems that surround them.
If this resonates with you and you’d like to be part of the development journey, we’d love to hear from you at denise@studio18malta.com
This project is supported by
17/12/2025
Over the past few weeks, our Creative Director Jean-Marc has been part of some important conversations shaping how we think about work, learning, and culture 🫂
From panels at MEIA’s Culture at Work exploring why creativity matters now more than ever, to SkillScape by the National Skills Council, discussing the human skills needed in a world in constant flux, to ongoing engagements with the European Commission around youth, culture, leadership, and intergenerational fairness.
One shared thread between them: human-centred thinking, creativity, and long-term resilience.
We're so grateful to be part of these spaces and to keep contributing where culture, policy, and people meet 😌
16/12/2025
Learning doesn’t happen in isolation, and neither does wellbeing 🍃
Within CoRES, we’re approaching learning, culture, and sustainability as interconnected systems. The 9 Dimensions of Wellness provide a framework for understanding how individual and collective wellbeing is shaped by many overlapping factors.
Using this holistic approach, CoRES aims to explore how culture and creative practice can support environmental wellbeing across all nine dimensions, fostering more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable environments.
This project is co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission under the Culture strand of Creative Europe 2021–2027 and the Deputy Ministry of Culture in Cyprus.
in collaboration with: &
11/12/2025
Awareness is the first step toward meaningful change.
Through CoRES, we’re exploring how culture can become a catalyst for a greener, more resilient future — one where creativity doesn’t just inspire, but actively transforms the way we live, work, and care for our planet.
Together, we’re shaping cultural practices that honour sustainability and spark collective action.
Let’s rethink what’s possible. 🌱✨
This project is co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission under the Culture strand of Creative Europe 2021–2027 and the Deputy Ministry of Culture in Cyprus.
in collaboration with: &
02/12/2025
A few more behind-the-scenes moments from our actors during the research & development phase of “ILMA”.
ILMA (working title), written by Simone Spiteri, delves into power dynamics, pressure, and safeguarding within Malta’s aquatic sports community.
This piece is rooted in the local scene, and is currently in the research and development phase. Our aim is to develop a theatrical work in collaboration with professionals and members of the local sports community to shed light on current realities and elements of Maltese identity, while using the narrative as an opportunity for reflection as well as to promote the review of safeguarding practices in non-formal education. Whereas it is not an investigative journalism piece or an expose`, the play - set to premiere in November 2026 - aims to create space for us to examine the vulnerability of youth and our responsibility towards it.
If this resonates with you and you’d like to contribute to our development process, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at denise@studio18malta.com 🌊
This project is supported by
01/12/2025
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5… and that’s a wrap on the first phase of our research & development process, “ILMA.”
Over the past four days, our wonderful actors have been diving into the script, unravelling their characters, and discovering new layers in what’s shaping up to be a very exciting new piece of work.
A huge thank you to all the creatives and athletes who came to our showing, offered feedback, asked questions, and challenged our ideas.
And a massive thank you to our four actors; ,
, & .farrugia for their time, energy, and passion.
We’re super excited to keep building and to see what comes next.
This project is supported by
28/11/2025
Script re-writes, breathing exercises, and… paper mache?
Days 2 and 3 of our R&D have been full of exploration as we test new approaches, refine the story elements, and expand the physical vocabulary of ILMA.
We’re really looking forward to sharing more soon 👀
This project is supported by
26/11/2025
…we’ve got a new script in hand 👀👀 (sort of)….
We just kicked off day 1 of our brand new research & development “ILMA” with a set of brilliant 4 actors who over the next 4 days will be looking at scenes built off of months of focus groups and 1-2-1 interviews.
This phase is all about digging deeper, exploring lived experiences from Malta’s aquatic sports communities, unpacking themes of mental health, identity, and power dynamics, and finding the heartbeat of the stories that will eventually make it to the stage.
Huge gratitude to every athlete, coach, and professional who has trusted us with their voice so far 💙
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Studio 18 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Get inside the box, to think outside of it!
Studio 18 was set up in light of Malta's successful bid to host European Capital of Culture in 2018. Since its inception, the Studio has created work such as #babydaddy and The Brat and That, Limbo and Dear Pete, and performed and collaborated locally and overseas.
The Studio operates in 3 areas:
- training programmes
- performances and projects
- creative learning for schools
Studio 18 activities range from youth projects to individual mentorship, consultancy and services to schools, collaborations with other creative enterprises and ultimately, the Creative Lab. The organisation's unique position at The Box in Mosta and Teatru Salesjan in Sliema allows its members to thrive, collaborate, feed off a host of arts entities which are also resident at this space; this environment is an invaluable stimulus!
Studio 18, an organisation for informal learning, was founded by Creative Director Jean-Marc Cafà, who works with a creative team in consultation with the Board of Creative Associates, has managed the implementation of three highly successful programmes to date.
The Creative Team consists of Jean-Marc, James Azzopardi Meli, Rachel Fabri, Dr Joe Gatt and Ian Azzopardi Meli.
The Board consists of:
- Christopher Gatt (former General Manager of St James Cavalier, freelance director)
- Simone Spiteri (actor, writer, director)
- Daniel Azzopardi (Artistic Director for ZiguZajg Festival and Programme Manager for Spazju Kreattiv)
- Christina Cauchi (Principal of Danza C, Co-Director of RedTape Dance and The Box, choreographer)
Creative Lab
Creative Lab consists of workshops, projects and performances which explore stagecraft and devised work, voice and movement, problem solving, critical analysis and public speaking, among other features. The programme seeks to empower the mind to become insightful, critical, and ultimately creative.
Acceptance is subject to an audition process.
Age: 18+
The Muso Project
A high-energy project which explores Musical Theatre in it's entirety - from song repertoire to musical theatre choreography to acting through song. Members are given the opportunity to participate in workshops and mock auditions, develop a song portfolio, and much more.
Acceptance is subject to an audition process.
Age: 17+
The Actor Project
A programme tailored to hone acting skills, from the basic principles and awareness of voice, body and space to the deconstruction of text, scene studies to physical theatre, improvisation to exploration of methods and practices.
Acceptance is subject to an audition process.
Age: 17+
Mentorship Programme
These sessions cater to the individual's requirements: from audition technique to spoken voice, monologues to the foundations of public speaking.
Actors may also prepare to sit for LAMDA or Trinity examinations at advanced level and diploma level, in acting, performance arts, musical theatre and public speaking.
People interested may set up an appointment with Studio 18. First preference is given to members of the Studio.
Age: 16+
Voice Fit Workshops
Held three times a year, these workshops seek to improve members’ optimum vocal function, sensitivity to text and creativity with sound.
Studio 18 - a creative youth organisation which, by means of the creative and performing arts, is committed to:
1. ensuring that young people can assess their personal qualities, skills and achievements and use them to set goals;
2. empowering young people to explore their options and to encourage them make informed and committed choices;
3. instilling a life-long sense of play and a thirst for knowledge in each member;
4. encouraging social responsibility, active citizenship and an awareness of identity, diversity and legacy in each young person;
5. pushing boundaries with its members, participants, collaborators and audiences;
6. developing new repertoire on a national scale.
CONTACT US
For more information call 79203344, PM us or email info@studio18malta.com.
