ESAEM: An International School for Emerging Performing Artists

Under the direction of Marisa Zafra, ESAEM offers qualifications including a Bachelor’s Degree in Dramatic Art and Performing Arts and a High School Diploma in Performing Arts. The school currently hosts around 1,000 students from all over the world.

ESAEM is committed to offering high-quality facilities, selecting Harlequin floors for its studios following endorsements from numerous international dancers. ESAEM has four dance studios and a stage equipped with Harlequin floors, featuring Harlequin Standfast performance vinyl floor. Two studios also have a Harlequin Flexity sprung floor to provide added support and protection for dancers during intensive training.

One former graduate, Antonio Banderas, who studied at ESAEM in 1982, continues to maintain a close relationship with the school. His musicals, including A Chorus Line, Company and Gypsy, have held castings and rehearsals at ESAEM. Antonio said: “I had never seen a school like ESAEM. I’ve been in great acting schools and major studios, but this is something else, an extraordinary dream. The fact that it’s happening here in Málaga is truly a miracle!”

Each year, ESAEM hosts the Antonio Banderas Performing Arts Prize gala, which is produced by its own students. The gala takes place at the Cervantes Theatre of Málaga and on-campus at the Antonio Banderas Young Artists Theatre. Past award recipients include Madonna, Rosalía, India Martínez and Alejandro Sanz. 

ESAEM’s 5,000m² campus includes 15 multipurpose classrooms, a library, accomodation, dining hall, landscaped areas, cafeteria and more. A standout facility is the Antonio Banderas Young Artists Theatre, opened in 2017 by Banderas himself. The space is used for rehearsals, classes and performances such as the Conservatory Gala and Christmas Choir.

Another notable alumnus, Borja Rueda, was the choreographer for this year’s winning Eurovision performance from Austria, highlighting the growing recognition of ESAEM graduates worldwide.