Focus transforms Poblenou with Gènesis: a new theatre and performing arts school

Grupo Focus has announced the creation of Gènesis, an ambitious project that will transform the Poblenou neighbourhood in Barcelona. From 2028, the city will have a new 500-seat theatre and a performing arts school with capacity for more than 600 students. The announcement was made during the company’s 40th anniversary celebration, marking a milestone in its history.

The complex will be located at the group’s current headquarters, on Àvila street, in the Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou. While construction is underway, activities will temporarily move to a nearby building. The planned investment amounts to 11 million euros and will double the current space to reach 6,000 square metres.

The new theatre will be equipped with state-of-the-art stage technology, ready to host productions of all formats. César Martínez, general director of Arte y Contenidos de Focus, highlighted that the programming will focus on innovation and risk-taking, with a clear orientation towards contemporary creation and the avant-garde.

The building will also house a school offering artistic, technical, and management training. The aim is to connect the educational world with the performing arts industry, giving students a direct gateway to the professional sector. The training will be cross-disciplinary and will make the most of the synergy between the theatre and the school in the same space.

Gènesis takes its name from the independent theatre group that gave rise to Focus four decades ago. The project aims to position itself as the country’s leading higher school of performing arts and crafts and to build a unique theatre in Europe.

Grupo Focus, founded in 1986, has experienced steady growth: 18 companies, 400 employees, 400 theatre productions, 15 million spectators, and 60,000 technical services. In addition, it has produced three premium series and 30 audiovisual productions. Isabel Vidal, general director, emphasised that the company is preparing for a new phase of expansion, with investments and staff reinforcement to face the technological revolution.