The University of Alicante (UA) has unveiled 'Authentic Student Experience', a play born from its first Theatre Creation Residency, which was initiated in March 2026 to foster theatrical creation among students and showcase emerging talent in the dramatic arts. The production will debut as part of the 34th Guillermo Heras Contemporary Spanish Authors Theatre Showcase.
This marks the first original theatre project developed through a collectively authored script originating from the university's theatre classes. The presentation took place at the University Headquarters in Alicante, featuring remarks from Catalina Iliescu, Vice-Rector for Culture, Sport and University Extension; Roberto García Prieto, Director of the Showcase; and Noé Vicente, co-author and director of the play.
Plot overview
'Authentic Student Experience' tells the story of four university students selected to participate in a programme that simulates the 'authentic Spanish university experience' for tourists, set in an Airbnb-like environment. Vicente explained that the narrative critically examines the challenges faced by youth in accessing housing. The play addresses the youth housing crisis not merely as a backdrop but as the driving force of the dramatic action.
It questions how far individuals are willing to go to secure a roof over their heads and reflects on how platform capitalism has turned experiences into consumable products. The script is a collaborative effort by Ana García, Claudia da Silva, Julia Lledó, Mabel Peña, Nico Murcia, and Sael Gil, alongside Vicente. The creation blends humour with dystopian elements to tackle contemporary social issues from a perspective relatable to younger generations.
Performance details
Tickets for the performances are priced at €3, with the premiere scheduled for Monday, 9 November, at 7 PM in the university's Paraninfo auditorium. Concurrently, the artistic and technical team has produced a micropodcast titled 'Planos de un estreno', documenting the day-to-day theatrical work and sharing insights into the creative process.
This project is a product of the Theatre Creation Residency, which aims to provide students with a space to develop their own theatrical projects and engage actively in the creation and production processes. The first call selected Vicente's proposal, who holds a degree in Business Administration, a Master's in Secondary Education, and is an expert in Dramatic Arts from the UA. The creative team also includes Julia Lledó and María Isabel Peña, students of Early Childhood Education, and Nicolás Murcia, a Law student.
Institutional support and future collaboration
The residency programme underscores the UA's commitment to enhancing its cultural contributions and fostering student engagement in the arts. Iliescu expressed pride in this initiative, noting that while the university has been involved in the Showcase for 34 editions by providing venues and hosting performances, this is the first time it has initiated a theatrical residency leading to the production of an original work.
García Prieto remarked on the collaborative spirit between the university and the Showcase, highlighting the importance of creating a platform for student creativity and participation. The Theatre Creation Residency is part of the UA's broader strategy to nurture emerging talent, alongside initiatives like INTERACTUA, which focuses on discovering new creative profiles, and MUA Residencies, dedicated to visual arts.
Additionally, the UA's Publications Service will publish the 'Cuadernos de Dramaturgia', an annual collection that will include the text of 'Authentic Student Experience', further solidifying the collaboration between the university and the Showcase.
Synopsis
In 'Authentic Student Experience', four Spanish university students are chosen to participate in an innovative programme that involves animating an Airbnb. The company offers tourists the chance to 'experience authentic Spanish university life' by sharing accommodation with real students. In exchange for portraying their lives in an 'authentic yet consumable' manner, the students receive free lodging and €400 monthly. Amidst a housing crisis that has made securing a home an unattainable privilege, they accept the offer without much hesitation. What begins as a peculiar yet manageable job spirals into a Kafkaesque nightmare, blurring the lines between real life and performance, eroding their identities, and revealing their roles as replaceable cogs in a legal machine that turns precariousness into spectacle.
Technical details
Authors: Ana García, Claudia da Silva, Julia Lledó, Mabel Peña, Nico Murcia, Noé Vicente, Sael Gil.
Director: Noé Vicente.
Cast: Ana García, Julia Lledó, Mabel Peña, Nico Murcia.
Assistant Directors: Julia Lledó, Claudia da Silva.
Dramaturgy Coordination: Noé Vicente.
Production Assistant: Sael Gil.
