</ODRA x THE DORM LAB. Creative Writing: Experimenting With Words>
July 15 — August 15, 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 15, 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 15, 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 (July 15 — August 15) will be focused on creative writing: how can we experiment with words in different ways?
Over the course of a month, participants will develop their own piece in English. Together, we will help each person find a suitable format at the beginning of the lab — whether it is an essay, a poem, song lyrics, a personal reflection, or something else. The goal is not to produce a perfect text, but to build a sustainable writing practice, explore ideas through language, and gain confidence expressing yourself in English.
Throughout the month, participants will experiment with different approaches to writing, and explore both structured writing exercises and more open-ended methods, including automatic writing, observation-based exercises, and creative prompts.
A weekly guide and vocabulary lists will help participants track their progress and stay focused on their chosen format.
Over the course of a month, participants will develop their own piece in English. Together, we will help each person find a suitable format at the beginning of the lab — whether it is an essay, a poem, song lyrics, a personal reflection, or something else. The goal is not to produce a perfect text, but to build a sustainable writing practice, explore ideas through language, and gain confidence expressing yourself in English.
Throughout the month, participants will experiment with different approaches to writing, and explore both structured writing exercises and more open-ended methods, including automatic writing, observation-based exercises, and creative prompts.
A weekly guide and vocabulary lists will help participants track their progress and stay focused on their chosen format.
The invited expert and mentor of the month is Stephanie Albuquerque Wruck, a writer, teacher, and co-founder of Coletivo Amarelo. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil and based in Lisbon, she has spent over four years teaching English and facilitating creative learning experiences for professionals from diverse backgrounds. Her work brings together art and personal reflection, creating spaces where people can explore language, creativity, and self-expression. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies from Temple University and a TEFL certification for Teaching English as a Foreign Language from The TEFL Academy.
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.
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.
As part of the program, ODRA's Editor-in-chief Andrei Savenkov will also run a workshop on journalism. A US-based journalist and a founding member of </odra>, Andrei also serves as an assistant professor teaching journalism and media management. Previously, Andrew Savenkov has worked with the Art Newspaper and as an adviser with the Winzavod Foundation for Contemporary Art.
One-month program includes:
— one individual meeting with curators (Katya or Olya) to define your focus, goals, and final output (30—45min)
— four weekly sessions with the expert — Stephanie Albuquerque Wruck: lectures, creative exercises, discussions (1.5h each)
— a workshop on journalism with Andrew Savenkov (1,5h)
— two 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, miro board
— 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 (30—45min)
— four weekly sessions with the expert — Stephanie Albuquerque Wruck: lectures, creative exercises, discussions (1.5h each)
— a workshop on journalism with Andrew Savenkov (1,5h)
— two 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, miro board
— 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
— basic speaking and writing skills in English (B1+)
— 6-8h and more (per week) for participation
— a Telegram account for group chat
— basic speaking and writing skills in English (B1+)
— 6-8h and more (per week) for participation
Stephanie Albuquerque Wruck is a writer, teacher, and cultural producer based from São Paulo, Brazil, currently based in Lisbon. Here you can read her texts: https://stephaniewruck.com/writing
— She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies from Temple University and a TEFL certification for Teaching English as a Foreign Language from The TEFL Academy.
— For over four years, she has taught English through a highly personalized approach, helping students develop confidence in communication, creative expression, and critical thinking.
— Alongside her teaching practice, Stephanie is the co-founder and creative director of Coletivo Amarelo, an independent art gallery dedicated to supporting emerging and experimental artistic practices.
— Her work sits at the intersection of writing, education, and contemporary art, with a particular interest in creativity as a tool for reflection, connection, and personal exploration.
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 holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies from Temple University and a TEFL certification for Teaching English as a Foreign Language from The TEFL Academy.
— For over four years, she has taught English through a highly personalized approach, helping students develop confidence in communication, creative expression, and critical thinking.
— Alongside her teaching practice, Stephanie is the co-founder and creative director of Coletivo Amarelo, an independent art gallery dedicated to supporting emerging and experimental artistic practices.
— Her work sits at the intersection of writing, education, and contemporary art, with a particular interest in creativity as a tool for reflection, connection, and personal exploration.
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).
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.
— 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.