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Thursday
26
February
-
Sunday
1
March
2026

Bali HS Deep Dive Festival

About this event

ISTA Deep Dives are intensive festivals where young people immerse themselves in a focused area of theatre or performance. Unlike a traditional festival, Deep Dives offer a chance to explore specific practices, theories, and approaches under the guidance of expert artists and in partnership with specialist organisations. Through hands-on workshops, creative experimentation, and collaborative inquiry, learners deepen their understanding, expand their theatre-maker toolkits, and gain practical skills to enrich their artistic journeys.

For this Deep Dive in Bali, participants will engage in an intensive and inspiring programme of workshops led by master teachers and some of the island’s most renowned artists, offering a rare opportunity to learn directly from cultural custodians and contemporary theatre-makers. From traditional dance and music to mask work, storytelling, and ritual performance, students will explore the foundational elements that define Balinese theatre. They will attend two live traditional performances—experiencing the form in its cultural and ceremonial context—and reflect on its significance both artistically and socially. On the final day, participants will collaborate to create and perform an original piece of theatre, drawing on the skills, ideas, and insights gained throughout the week. This culminating performance will be shared with the local community, celebrating the fusion of learning, creativity, and cultural exchange.

Please note: Due to the nature of the venue for the Bali Deep Dive festival, we would like to inform participants that accessibility is limited. The site includes uneven and potentially muddy ground and a number of areas require stairs or tall doorway thresholds. There are no ramps. Accessible bathrooms are not available when visiting local artisans in the villages. We understand this may present challenges for individuals with physical mobility needs and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or would like more details about the venue, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re happy to provide further information and support where possible.

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Emily Grant
ISTA Event Manager
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Event Address

Element Hotel
Indonesia

Fees

Student Fees
Member Organisations: £332
Non-Member Organisations: £382

Educator Chaperones
Members: £122
Non-Members: £142

Surcharges
Airport Transfer: £15
Local transportation: £15

  • All fees include an ISTA T-Shirt. 
  • All prices are in GBP.
  • Artistic information

    Area of Learning
    This Deep Dive invites participants to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and performance practices of Balinese theatre. Through an intensive programme of workshops led by master teachers and some of the island’s most respected artists, students will explore core elements such as traditional dance, gamelan music, mask work, storytelling, and ritual performance. Learning directly from cultural custodians and contemporary theatre-makers, participants will gain a deeper understanding of Balinese theatre both as an art form and a cultural expression. The experience culminates in the creation and sharing of an original piece of theatre, developed collaboratively and inspired by the skills, knowledge, and perspectives acquired throughout the week.

    Festival Story
    The festival story is the central idea that inspires exploration and creative work throughout an ISTA festival. Festival story coming soon.


    Cultural Experience
    A cultural experience at an ISTA festival connects participants with the people, place, and traditions of the host location, offering powerful inspiration for their creative work. In Bali, students will visit Rangki Puri, a master Balinese mask maker and Wayang Kulit puppeteer, to experience firsthand the artistry and symbolism behind these ancient traditions. They will also attend live performances of Kecak, Wayang Kulit, and a special surprise event on the final evening—immersing themselves in the sights, sounds, and spirit of Balinese theatre.

    ISTA Global Challenge
    This event is part of ISTA’s season-wide theme: Waves of Change. The challenge invites young people to explore how change—personal, social, cultural, environmental, and historical—shapes our world. Through theatre, students reflect on their role in creating, responding to, and riding the waves of change in their own communities and beyond.

  • Workshop Focus

  • Why learning with ISTA online'

  • About The Workshop Leader

  • Booking & Registration

    Booking secures your place at an ISTA festival by providing estimated participant numbers and paying a deposit. Registration finalises all participant details to support accurate planning for workshops, catering, and logistics.

    Booking

    • Opens: 9:00 am (UK time), Monday 5 May 2025
    • Before booking, ensure your school can attend by confirming:
      • Travel restrictions and visa requirements
      • Parental approval
      • School authorisation
    • At the time of booking, you must provide:
      • Estimated number of students 
      • Estimated number of educators 
      • Lead educator contact details

    Deposit & Confirmation

    • Once booked, you’ll receive an invoice for a 50% deposit based on student numbers. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Booking is only confirmed once the deposit is received (within 30 days). 
    • Please only book spaces you are confident you can fill. 

    Registration

    • Opens: 9:00 am (UK time), Monday 5 May 2025
    • Closes: 11:59 pm (UK time), Thursday 15 January 2026
    • Once registration opens, schools with confirmed places should complete participant registration as soon as possible. You’ll need to provide final student and educator details along with confirmed travel information. 

    Changes in Student Numbers

    • Fewer students than booked? Deposits for those students are forfeited.
    • Need more students? Additional spaces may be requested. A 50% deposit per added student will apply.

    Waitlist

    • If the event reaches capacity, it will be marked Waitlist. 
    • To be added to the waitlist, email the Event Manager with your requested number of students and educators. Spaces will be offered in the order requests are received.
  • Travel, Visas & Accommodation

    Arrival & Departure 

    • Arrival: 10:00 am Thursday 26 February 2026
    • Departure: after 5:30 pm Sunday 1 March 2026
    • Please note that the process of arrival, customs, meeting bus, comfort breaks, travel to Ubud, checking into the hotel etc. takes approximately 5 hours from the time you land in Denpasar.  It is important that you book your arrival time to accommodate this transfer from the airport to the festival venue. 
    • Participants may choose to arrive in Denpasar on the evening of Wednesday 25 February 2026 and make their own accommodation arrangements for one night in order to meet the bus transport to Ubud the next day. 

    Transport

    • Nearest Airport: Denpasar International Airport (DPS), also known as Ngurah Rai International Airport 
    • Participants will be met at the airport by and transferred to Ubud by private bus. Due to the length of the journey, schools may be asked to wait for other schools to arrive in order to travel to the festival site together.
    • Participants will be taken directly to the airport immediately after the festival closes at 1:30 pm on Sunday 1 March 2026.
    • Participants choosing to spend an extra night in Bali after the event finishes are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and return airport transfers

    Accommodation

    • This is a hotel stay event. 
    • Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation at the event hotel.

    Hotel Name & Location

    Element Hotel
    Jl. Raya Andong, 88, Desa Petulu, Ubud
    Gianyar 80571, Indonesia

    Website: Click here

    Room rates as of 1 July 2025
    IDR 1 640 000 ( approx £75 GBP) room/night for twin occupancy

  • Payment Process

    ISTA festivals follow a two-step automated payment process:

    Step 1: 50% Deposit at Booking

    • Upon booking, a 50% deposit is required to secure your place. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
    • Bookings are only confirmed once the deposit has been successfully paid.

    Step 2: Final Balance After Registration Closes

    • After registration closes, schools will be automatically invoiced for the remaining 50% of fees, based on the final number of students registered, plus any applicable surcharges.

    Changes in Student Numbers

    • Fewer students than booked: Deposits for non-attending students will be forfeited. (e.g. If 15 students are booked but only 10 attend, the deposit for 5 students is not refunded.)
    • Additional students: A 50% deposit per added student will be invoiced at the time of the increase.
  • Schedule & Specialist Workshop

    Festival Schedule 

    • Start: 3:30 pm Thursday 26 February 2026
    • End: 1:30 pm Sunday 1 March 2026

    Educator Workshops

    • Two theatre-focused workshops for teacher chaperones
    • Collaborative resource-sharing sessions
  • Schedule & Educator workshops

    Festival Schedule 

    • Start: 3:30 pm Thursday 26 February 2026
    • End: 1:30 pm Sunday 1 March 2026

    Educator Workshops

    • Two theatre-focused workshops for teacher chaperones
    • Collaborative resource-sharing sessions
  • Live Performance

  • Event Materials

    📄 E-Programmes containing detailed schedules, artist bios, and key event information will be sent to participating organisations two weeks before the event.

  • Meals & Refeshments

    🍏 3 evening meals, 2 lunches and daily snacks will be provided at this event. Breakfasts should be booked at the hotel. 

  • Young Creative Leadership Programme

  • What to bring to set

    Appropriate attire

    • All participants must bring clothing that is suitable for physically active workshops during the day (athletic wear, PE kit, performance blacks, etc.) 
    • Modest attire that is respectful of Balinese culture and traditions. A detailed packing list with guidance on appropriate attire will be provided closer to the event

    Please note

    • Participants not dressed appropriately for physically active workshops may be asked to sit out.
    • Participants may be asked to remove footwear, jewellery etc. for some workshops.
    • Chewing gum is not permitted in any of the workshop spaces.

    Materials 

    • Pens, pencils, highlighters etc. for notetaking. 
    • Refillable water bottle
    • A detailed packing list of items that will make your stay in Bali more comfortable will be provided closer to the event. 

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