AST National Academy of Theatre Arts in Kraków

Founded in 1946 by renowned actor Juliusz Osterwa, the AST National Academy of Theatre Arts in Kraków (formerly the Ludwik Solski State Drama School) is one of Poland's leading institutions for the performing arts. Named after the celebrated playwright Stanisław Wyspiański since 2017, the public academy operates three campuses located in Kraków, Wrocław, and Bytom. It educates approximately 500 students in fields such as dramatic and vocal acting, dance theatre, puppetry, and theatre directing. With a faculty of around 140 outstanding, artistically active creators of Polish theatre, AST provides a heavily individualized master-student educational experience. Students typically undertake a long-cycle master's program that culminates in a diploma performance and a Master of Arts degree. The academy is closely affiliated with the rich cultural traditions of Poland and continually enters into a creative dialogue with contemporary theatrical trends.