Theodor Andrei


Theodor-Octavian Andrei, is a Romanian singer-songwriter, actor and theatre director. He represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "D.G.T. ".

Early life and education

Early life and family

Theodor Octavian Andrei was born in Bucharest, Romania to Simona Andrei and Gheorghe Andrei, both alumni of the Politehnica University of Bucharest. Throughout his childhood, he cherished the companionship of his beloved cats.
Andrei’s interest in music began early. His parents introduced him to legendary performers such as Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson, as well as Romanian artists like Ștefan Bănică Jr. and Laura Stoica, whose music he grew up listening to. He began imitating Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson at the age of four. As he got older, Andrei independently explored the Rock ’n’ Roll genre and developed a strong interest in a wide range of international artists, including Little Richard, James Brown, Whitney Houston, Kiss, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Gary Moore, or Joe Bonamass. Among Romanian artists, he has cited Gabriel Cotabiță, Jean Gavril, Mihai Traistariu, Dan Bittman, and Connect-R as major influences.
Andrei’s mother was the first to recognize his musical talent. In 2014, during his audition for Next Star, she heard his voice amplified through the show's sound system and began to believe in his potential. At the time, Andrei was 10 years old.
In the years that followed, his mother accompanied him to numerous music festivals, offering consistent support. Along with his father and grandmother, she contributed significantly to his early musical journey.

Education

Andrei began studying classical piano at age seven. His first piano teacher and vocal coach was Raluca Ciocă. His formal piano education concluded several years later. Andrei continued to develop his piano and guitar skills through self-study and practice, motivated by an early desire to compose his own songs.
During middle school, Andrei was exposed to bullying, a difficult period that he has discussed in interviews. Andrei is outspoken about the anti-bullying movement and stands up against different forms and shapes of bullying in the music video of his song, “Artist”.
Andrei graduated in 2023 from the Acting & Performing Arts class at Dinu Lipatti National College of Arts, Bucharest, Romania. He received the highest grade on his graduation thesis, titled The Post-War and Contemporary Romanian Comedy. In the same year, he began his university studies in Theater Arts at Hyperion University, in Bucharest. Andrei is currently focused on completing his training in acting, theater, and related performance skills under the guidance of theater professor Adriana Trandafir.

Career

Music

During the summer between fifth and sixth grade, Andrei began attending music festivals and competitions. In middle school, he started working with his mentor and vocal coach, Dan Dimitriu, a well-known Romanian composer, music professor, and music director. Dimitriu is also the conductor of the “Constantin Tanase” Theater Orchestra.
Andrei first gained public attention in 2017, at the age of 13, when he participated in the Romanian version of The Voice Kids, reaching the semi-finals.
Between the ages of 13 and 15, Andrei received multiple jury awards, third-place finishes, and excellence awards at various national and international music festivals. In 2019, he won first place at the Teleorman Pop Fest.
At 16, Andrei participated in the ninth season of The X Factor ''Romania, reaching the Bootcamp stage.
By 2022, Andrei had won the Great Trophy at the Mihaela Runceanu International Music Festival, the Great Trophy at the Teleorman Pop Fest, The Romanian Musicologists and Composers Association Award at the George Grigoriu International Music Festival, and first place/Best Artist at the Radu Șerban National Music Festival.
Andrei began writing music before the age of 14. Since 2017, he has released several singles, including “Ţigări mentolate” with Valentina and “Prigoria Teen Fest” with Denis Belu.
On October 15, 2022, Andrei released his first studio album, Fragil, under the Electrecord label. The release occurred six days after his 18th birthday. The album sold out four times on popular Romanian marketplaces. The song "D.G.T." from Fragil has a special version that won the 2023 Romanian Eurovision National Selection. Another track from the album, "Artist," was awarded "Best Song of a Singer-Songwriter" at the 2022 Radar de Media Gala Awards.
Eurovision was a childhood dream for Andrei. He recalled watching the contest every year with his family and telling himself that he would one day participate. In 2023, Andrei won the Selecția Națională for Eurovision. He described winning the national selection and the release day of his first album—while he was a 12th-grade student—as “the happiest days of my life.”
At Eurovision, Andrei performed in the second semi-final on 11 May 2023 but failed to qualify for the grand final. It was later revealed that he finished in second-to-last place in the semi-final, tied with San Marino with zero points. Following the contest, Andrei spoke out about difficulties he faced working with the Romanian national broadcaster TVR, including the rejection of his staging ideas for his performance in Liverpool and the imposition of a slower revamp of his song.
He also expressed that his Eurovision dream gradually turned into a nightmare due to his experience with TVR. Despite these challenges, Andrei took matters into his own hands by self-financing and producing the music video for his song “D.G.T.” with the help of friends. He additionally produced the Eurovision Medleys, covering all 37 songs of the competition. Andrei has described his interactions with Eurovision fans as one of the most incredible experiences of his career. His motto during Eurovision 2023 was: “Go after your dreams, don't be afraid to push through the boundaries and insecurities, accept yourselves, love each other freely and make love not war.”
After Eurovision, Andrei held his first UK concert in London on 28 July, as part of Stage 002, an event organized by Platform '96. The performance took place at The Water Rats, a renowned London venue known for hosting early gigs by artists such as Bob Dylan, The Pogues, and Oasis. Platform '96 promoted the event as Andrei’s “redemption arc.” His one-hour set included songs from his debut album Fragil, the Eurovision Medleys, and covers of songs by a wide range of artists, including Frank Sinatra, Eminem, Madcon, Bruno Mars, Måneskin, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Andrei is currently working on his second studio album, titled Echilibru''. As of 2024, three tracks from the album have been released: “Preludiu Echilibru,” “Fantoma,” and “Zendaya.

Theatre

Andrei began acting at age 13. In 2018, he auditioned for a role in Nepoții lui Tănase, a youth revue-style play by Alin Gheorghișan, performed at the Constantin Tănase Theater in Bucharest. He portrayed the role of the Majordom from 2018 to 2019. This experience sparked a strong interest in acting, leading him to enroll in the Theater Arts and Acting section of the National College of Arts “Dinu Lipatti” in Bucharest. Since then, Andrei has expressed that music and theater complement each other closely and that he would find it difficult to pursue one without the other.
During high school, Andrei began formal acting training at the Victory of Art School of Theatre in Bucharest. Under the guidance of Julieta Georoiu, the head of the institution, he embarked on his theatrical journey. Throughout high school, Andrei took on major roles in numerous classic plays and musicals. Notably, he portrayed Francis Flute/Thisbe in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Augustus Waters in The Fault in Our Stars, based on the novel by John Green. His debut leading role was as Axel in Dacă noi ne iubim, a rock musical originally created by Julieta Georoiu and recognized as the first Romanian rock musical show based on the music of the renowned pop-rock band Holograf.
In 2022, Andrei won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Eduard in Paravan Două Telefoane, a play by Matei Lucaci-Grunberg, at the Grigore Vasiliu Birlic International Youth Theater Festival.
In 2023, he played the leading role of Amadeus Mozart">Amadeus (play)">Amadeus Mozart in Amadeus by Peter Shaffer. The production won the Best Play award at the Constanța International Independent Theater Festival, known as "Seathre Fest".'
During the same year, Andrei portrayed Luca in O Floare de Zăpadă, a play based on Dumitru Solomon’s original story Zăpezile de Altădată. The production won First Place at the Ștefan Mihăilescu-Brăila National Comedy Competition, where Andrei received the Ștefan Mihăilescu-Brăila Trophy for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Additionally, the play earned Third Place at the Olimpiada Națională de Artă Actorului held in Brăila, Romania.
In 2024 Andrei played Yvan in Artă , a play by Yasmina Reza, directed by Clara Ciușcǎ and won the Special Jury Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Grigore Vasiliu Birlic International Youth Theater Festival.
Since May 2024, Andrei Andrei has been performing as Mary Sunshine in Chicago by John Kander and Fred Ebb, directed by George Costin at the Bucharest Metropolitan Circus.'
In March 2025, Andrei began portraying Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet by Gérard Presgurvic based on William Shakespeare's play, directed by Miklos Gabor Kereny at the Operetta and Musical Theater "Ion Dacian", Bucharest.''
On 4 April 2025, Andrei began playing Tom in Invizibilii, a musical based on the children’s book of the same name by Ioana Pârvulescu, with music by Cornel Ilie, staged at Sala Gloria, Bucharest.

Directing

Andrei began exploring directing in 2022, when he participated in the Youth Theater and Short Film Festival FestTin with the short film Neintenționat: un majorat confuz. He received the Best Directing award for a short film, presented by acclaimed Romanian filmmaker Nae Caranfil.
In 2023, Andrei directed and starred as Luca in the stage play O floare de zăpadă, based on Dumitru Solomon’s original story Zăpezile de Altădată . The production won first place at the Ștefan Mihăilescu-Brăila National Comedy Competition and third place at the Olimpiada Națională de Artă Actorului held in Brăila, Romania.
In 2024, Andrei directed Iubirea noastră e Raiul , adaptation of Heathers:The Musical by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy. The production won a total of ten awards at four Romanian youth theater festivals. At the Grigore Vasiliu Birlic International Youth Theater Festival, it received the Special Jury Prize, and Best Actress in a Lead Role. At the Ludicus National Youth Theater Festival, it was awarded the Special Jury Prize for an Actress in a Lead Role, Best Actor in a Lead Role, and Best Choreography. In 2025, the same production won the First Price at the "Eusebiu Ștefănescu” National Theater Festival. At the "La Mustață" Independent Theater Festival, the play received the Best Play – Youth Section, the Audience Choice Award and Daily Magazine Special Award. Under Theodor Andrei’s direction, the play’s lead performers won Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress.
On 7 June 2025, Andrei premiered a new production: the pop-rock musical A Midsummer Night's Dream, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play. The production features original music by Theodor Andrei, music production by Andrei and Denis Belu, choreography by Lilian Carauș, and costume design by Alessia Popa-Matei and Theodor Andrei.

Film

In 2017, Andrei voiced the character Prințul Miercuri for the Romanian dub of the children's animated series Cartierul Tigruțului Daniel, released on Netflix. The dubbing was directed by Sabina Mitra and Mircea Drâmbăreanu.
Andrei continued his television work in 2022 with the role of Horia in "Rățușca cea urâtă", an episode of the TV series Povești de familie, directed by Raluca Sandu.
In 2023, Andrei appeared as Sică in an episode of the TV series Oamenii legii, also directed by Sandu. The TV series follows four Romanian Police teams in action.
In 2024, he took on the role of Instalatorul in The Pump, an independent short film directed by Iustin Bauer. During the same year, Andrei portrayed Alecu Tânăr in the Lecții de viață episode "Prietenul la nevoie", under the direction of Radu Lopotaru. The TV series brings up dramatic stories about people facing trials, betrayals, and hidden passions.
By 2025, Andrei played Colindătorul in the short film Crăciun Fericit, a poignant piece by Alexandra Manda exploring themes of aging and isolation. The film's story is a reflection on the absence of loved ones and how easily we can lose them, not just through death, but also through neglect. The film won the Award of Merit in the Women Filmmakers at Mirada Corta, the annual International Short Film Festival held in Mexico City, Mexico.
That same year, 2025, he starred as Andrei in Luați-mă înapoi, a university-based short film, directed by Luca Bădescu. He also co-wrote with Denis Belu the music for Alexandra, a film by Diana Angelson Busuioc about a tragic story of a contemporary Romanian hero.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Music Awards

Theatre

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YearTitleRoleNotes
2018-2019Nepoții lui Tănase by Alin GheorghișanConstantin Tănase/ Majordomul
Directed by Alin Gheorghișan; the first youth “revue”‑style theater production in Romania at the Constantin Tănase Theater; Bucharest, Romania.
2021Brainstorm by Ned Glasier and Emily LimTyrelDirected by Petru Georoiu; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater;Bucharest, Romania.
2021Dacă noi ne iubim – original musical by Julieta Georoiu; written by Rareș Fota and Anastasia JingaJack / AxelFirst Romanian rock musical based on the music of Romanian band Holograf; directed by Julieta Georoiu; Țăndărică Theater and Metropolis Theater, Bucharest, Romania; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; opened in 2021; performed 2023, 2024 and 2025. Most recent performance on 3 December 2025.
2022Vivat Academia – by Bogdan GeorgescuPaulDirected by Andrei Gheorghe; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; Bucharest, Romania, 2022.
2022Visul unei nopți de vară – adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William ShakespeareSuflete / ThisbeDirected by Petru Georoiu; Metropolis Theater, Bucharest, Romania; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater, opened 2022; most recent performance on 19 May 2024.
2022Sub Aceeași Stea — play by John Green; stage adaptation by Tiberiu RoșuAugustus WatersDirected by Petru Georoiu; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; Bucharest, Romania, 2022.
2022Paravan Două Telefoane — play by Matei Lucaci-GrunbergEduardDirected by Petru Georoiu; Victory of Art School of Theater production; Bucharest, Romania; opened 2022; performed 2023, 2024 and 2025; most recent performance Dec 2025.
2022Procesul lui Robin Hood – by Will AverillAlan-a-DaleDirected by Julieta Georoiu; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; Bucharest, Romania; 2022.
2022Profesorul de Franceză – by Tudor MușatescuAnibalDirected by Ruxandra Ionescu; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; Bucharest, Romania.
2022Cei 17 magnifici care au schimbat viitorul Prezentatorul Directed by Alexandru Nagy; youth art campaign promoting sustainability; project of the Government Department for Sustainable Development and Beneva Association; Romania, performed on 27 October- 10 November 2022.
2022Apolodor — play by Gellu NaumApolodorDirected by Alexandru Ivănoiu; Victory of Art School of Theater production; Bucharest, Romania; opened 2022, performed 2023.
2023O Floare de Zăpadă — play based on Dumitru Solomons original story Zăpezile de Altădată LucaDirected and adapted by Theodor Andrei; Victory of Art School of Theater production; Bucharest, Romania; opened in 2023.
2023Amadeus by Peter ShafferWolfgang Amadeus MozartDirected by Julieta Georoiu and Radu Solcanu; Țăndărică Theater, Bucharest, Romania; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; opened in 2023; performed 2024; most recent performances on 9 March 2024 and 21 September 2024.
2024Artă by Yasmina RezaYvanDirected by Clara Ciușcă; Țăndărică Theater, Bucharest, Romania; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; opened on 10 February 2024; performed 2024.
2024Mon Cher Dinu – by Monica Ciută Dinu LipattiDirected by Ruxandra Ionescu; Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest, Romania; produced by Dinu Lipatti National College of Art; performed on 4 March 2024.
2024Liceenii – musical by Alexandra Manda, Adriana Frigioi, and Sebastian CrișuRăzvanDirected by Alexandra Manda and Adriana Frigioi; Teatrul Dramaturgilor Români, Bucharest, Romania; April 2024.
2024Alege să alegi VladYouth Anti-Drug Art Campaign; directed by Alexandru Nagy; performed at the "Victor Ion Popa" Theater, Bârlad, and other venues in northeastern Romania; organized by the National Anti-Drug Agency; October 2024..
2024Iubirea Noastră e Raiul – adaptation of Heathers: The Musical by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin MurphyBill Sweeny / Jason Dean Directed and translated by Theodor Andrei; Sala Gloria, Metropolis Theater, Bucharest, Romania; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; opened on 9 June 2024. Theodor Andrei performed the role of J.D. once on 19 December 2024; performances on 8 April, 6 July, 26 July and 21 Sept 2025.
2024Chicago-Musical/Vodevil muzical [Chicago |] by John Kander and Fred EbbMary SunshineDirected by George Costin; The Metropolitan Circus, Bucharest, Romania; opened on 14 May 2024; performed 28 Feb, 7 March, 16 May 2025; most recent performance Sept 2025.
2025Romeo și Julieta – a pop-rock musical by Gérard Presgurvic, based on William Shakespeare's playMercutioDirected by Miklos Gabor Kereny, translation by Ernest Fazekas; Teatrul Național de Operetă și Musical "Ion Dacian", Bucharest, Romania; opened March 2025; performed throughout 2025; most recent performance on 7 Dec 2025.
2025Invizibilii – musical based on the children’s book by Ioana PârvulescuTomDirected by Claudia Ciobanu; music by Cornel Ilie ; Sala Gloria, Bucharest, Romania; produced by Wonder Theater; opened on 4 April 2025; performed throughout 2025; most recent performance on 9 Nov 2025, Sala Palatului
2025Strigătul Libertății – first Romanian musical depicting the 1989 RevolutionVladDirected by Alexandru Nagy; script by Theodor Andrei, Alexandru Nagy, Bianca Marinescu, Tomy Weisbuch; musical arrangements by Theodor Andrei, Dani Ionescu; Metropolis Theatre, Bucharest, Romania; produced by Victory of Art School of Theater; opened on 22 December 2025; also performed on 23 December 2025.

Theatre Awards

Directing Work and Awards