</ODRA x THE DORM LAB. Creative Writing: Experimenting With Words>
July 1 — 30, 2026, online
</odra> has joined forces with THE DORM LAB — a new online laboratory for practicing English through ideas, writing, and experimentation with words.
The first one-month program, starting on July 1st, is focused on creative writing and language exploration. Participants will work in English and develop a piece of their own choosing: an essay, a poem, song lyrics, or any other form that feels right, with the support of invited writer and project's curators. You can apply here.
The first one-month program, starting on July 1st, is focused on creative writing and language exploration. Participants will work in English and develop a piece of their own choosing: an essay, a poem, song lyrics, or any other form that feels right, with the support of invited writer and project's curators. You can apply here.
About the project & curators
THE DORM LAB is a space for intensive, collective English practice built around personal interests. The project was launched by Katya Ceppel (ODRA founder) and Olga Evseeva (Dialogue speaking & book club co-founder):
"We met in college. Inspired by the idea of the dormitory — a place where people with different background meet and share their ideas together, we've decided to create our own version. In this project, we want the participants to feel like curious students again — exploring, experimenting, and practicing English in a more playful and open way. That’s why we are a dorm, not a classroom.”
The core aim is to create an inspiring, comfortable atmosphere for intensive practice. Katya and Olya will support participants throughout the program and invite guest experts from different fields to share their perspectives.
THE DORM LAB is a space for intensive, collective English practice built around personal interests. The project was launched by Katya Ceppel (ODRA founder) and Olga Evseeva (Dialogue speaking & book club co-founder):
"We met in college. Inspired by the idea of the dormitory — a place where people with different background meet and share their ideas together, we've decided to create our own version. In this project, we want the participants to feel like curious students again — exploring, experimenting, and practicing English in a more playful and open way. That’s why we are a dorm, not a classroom.”
The core aim is to create an inspiring, comfortable atmosphere for intensive practice. Katya and Olya will support participants throughout the program and invite guest experts from different fields to share their perspectives.
The program lasts four weeks. The month starts with a personal meeting with the curators to discuss your preferred format and goals, and culminates in a creative mini‑project in English.
This lab is for you if you:
— see creativity as part of your identity or work
— want to speak and write in English about things that genuinely interest you
— seek a flexible, human‑centred approach to language growth
— feel standard courses lack depth or personal connection
— miss the experience of learning, thinking, and discussing ideas with others
— wish to join a meaningful global community of creatives
Your profession doesn’t matter — you don’t have to be a writer or an artist. This program is designed for anyone seeking to improve their English creatively.
This lab is for you if you:
— see creativity as part of your identity or work
— want to speak and write in English about things that genuinely interest you
— seek a flexible, human‑centred approach to language growth
— feel standard courses lack depth or personal connection
— miss the experience of learning, thinking, and discussing ideas with others
— wish to join a meaningful global community of creatives
Your profession doesn’t matter — you don’t have to be a writer or an artist. This program is designed for anyone seeking to improve their English creatively.
The first edition in July will be focused on creative writing: how can we experiment with words in different ways?
The invited expert and mentor of the month is Stephanie Wruck, a writer and gallerist from Brazil, based in Lisbon. Over the last years, Stephanie has been teaching creative English in her project Spiral Room, and consulting artists on their career.
In THE DORM LAB, Stephanie will:
— meet with participants throughout the month, offering creative writing exercises
— review texts, poems in English, and lead group discussions
— provide feedback on the participants' projects at the end of the program
The invited expert and mentor of the month is Stephanie Wruck, a writer and gallerist from Brazil, based in Lisbon. Over the last years, Stephanie has been teaching creative English in her project Spiral Room, and consulting artists on their career.
In THE DORM LAB, Stephanie will:
— meet with participants throughout the month, offering creative writing exercises
— review texts, poems in English, and lead group discussions
— provide feedback on the participants' projects at the end of the program
One-month program includes:
— one individual meeting with curators (Katya or Olya) to define your focus, goals, and final output (45min)
— four weekly sessions with the expert — Stephanie Wruck: lectures, creative exercises, discussions (1.5h each)
— four additional meetings with curators to support your progress and help refine your work (1h each)
— a group chat for sharing ideas, and feedback
— final publication on the project’s platform
— supporting materials: monthly calendar, progress guide, weekly vocabulary lists
— additional reading for deeper exploration
Cost: 20 000 RUB / 240 EUR per month
— one individual meeting with curators (Katya or Olya) to define your focus, goals, and final output (45min)
— four weekly sessions with the expert — Stephanie Wruck: lectures, creative exercises, discussions (1.5h each)
— four additional meetings with curators to support your progress and help refine your work (1h each)
— a group chat for sharing ideas, and feedback
— final publication on the project’s platform
— supporting materials: monthly calendar, progress guide, weekly vocabulary lists
— additional reading for deeper exploration
Cost: 20 000 RUB / 240 EUR per month
— one session with the invited expert (lecture, discussion, creative exercises)
— one session with the curators to support your progress and help refine your work
— independent work: applying what you’ve learned to develop your own project
— ongoing discussion, feedback, and idea exchange in the group chat — all week long
— weekly resources: reading, vocabulary, research guides, and calendar
— one session with the curators to support your progress and help refine your work
— independent work: applying what you’ve learned to develop your own project
— ongoing discussion, feedback, and idea exchange in the group chat — all week long
— weekly resources: reading, vocabulary, research guides, and calendar
— a Zoom account for online sessions
— a Telegram account for group chat
— a miro account for group work
— basic speaking and writing skills in English (B1+)
— 6-8h and more (per week) for participation
— a Telegram account for group chat
— a miro account for group work
— basic speaking and writing skills in English (B1+)
— 6-8h and more (per week) for participation
Katya Ceppel is ODRA founder & creative director
— she has been producing projects at the intersections of education, culture, and communications, since 2017
— Katya has worked with institutions such as HSE ART AND DESIGH SCHOOL, Yandex Education, Winzavod Contemporary Art Center, Public Digital Art Fund (PDAF), Museum of Moscow, LEGO, etc.
— she holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations (REU, 2018), and a Master's degree in Visual Media Arts (RSUH, 2021)
— in 2021, Katya won a scholarship with the non-profit New Media Laboratory by the Winzavod Foundation for Contemporary Art, where she launched ODRA Platform
— Katya passed the Cambridge University exam and received a Business English Certificate
Olga Evseeva is a co-founder of the Dialogue Speaking & Book Club
— she is a project manager, and a new business specialist in branding
— Olga holds a business degree from JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Finland and has curated exhibitions at Artis and Milliart galleries
— she also worked in video production
Stephanie Wruck is a writer, gallerist, and creative English teacher from Brasil, based in Lisbon (Portugal)
—
— education?
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Andrei Savenkov is US-based journalist and a founding member of </odra>
— since 2021, Andrei has served as ODRA's Editor-in-Chief
— he is an assistant professor teaching journalism and media management. He holds a doctorate degree in business management and has published research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
— Andrew has previously worked as an adviser with the Winzavod Foundation for Contemporary Art and as a translator with The Art Newspaper. He is a member of The Society of Professional Journalists (US).
— she has been producing projects at the intersections of education, culture, and communications, since 2017
— Katya has worked with institutions such as HSE ART AND DESIGH SCHOOL, Yandex Education, Winzavod Contemporary Art Center, Public Digital Art Fund (PDAF), Museum of Moscow, LEGO, etc.
— she holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations (REU, 2018), and a Master's degree in Visual Media Arts (RSUH, 2021)
— in 2021, Katya won a scholarship with the non-profit New Media Laboratory by the Winzavod Foundation for Contemporary Art, where she launched ODRA Platform
— Katya passed the Cambridge University exam and received a Business English Certificate
Olga Evseeva is a co-founder of the Dialogue Speaking & Book Club
— she is a project manager, and a new business specialist in branding
— Olga holds a business degree from JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Finland and has curated exhibitions at Artis and Milliart galleries
— she also worked in video production
Stephanie Wruck is a writer, gallerist, and creative English teacher from Brasil, based in Lisbon (Portugal)
—
— education?
—
Andrei Savenkov is US-based journalist and a founding member of </odra>
— since 2021, Andrei has served as ODRA's Editor-in-Chief
— he is an assistant professor teaching journalism and media management. He holds a doctorate degree in business management and has published research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
— Andrew has previously worked as an adviser with the Winzavod Foundation for Contemporary Art and as a translator with The Art Newspaper. He is a member of The Society of Professional Journalists (US).