Amir Nizar Zuabi is an award-winning playwright and director. He was the founding Artistic Director of ShiberHur Theater Company, an Associate Director of the Young Vic Theatre, a member of the United Theaters Europe for artistic achievement, and an alumni of The Sundance Institute Theatre Program.
Following his work on The Walk, in January 2022 he took up the role of Artistic Director of The Walk Productions Limited.
His writing and directing credits include I am Yusuf and This is my Brother, In the Penal Colony, Oh My Sweet Land The Beloved (ShiberHur/Young Vic); Three Days of Grief, West of Us The Sea, Mid Spring Musical, Dry Mud, Against A Hard Surface (ShiberHur); Last Ward, Who Killed You Asmahan, The Huta and Grey Rock (Remote Theater Project, La Mama NYC).
Directing credits include: Samson and Delilah (Flanders Opera, Antwerp); Jidarriya by Mahmoud Darwish (Edinburgh International Festival, Bouffes du Nord and world tour); Forget Herostratus, Le Mallade Imaginer, War or More, Sneeze, Deep Sorrow, Fall Tale, When The World Was Green, Lanterns Of The King Of Galilee, Taha and The Comedy of Errors (Royal Shakespeare Company).

David Lan is a writer and producer. He was writer-in-residence at the Royal Court 1994/1996, artistic director of the Young Vic 2000/2018, consulting artistic director at the Performing Arts Center in NY 2014/2016 and theatre associate at BAM 2019/2020. His publications include Guns and Rain: guerrillas and spirit mediums in Zimbabwe, a collection of plays and a memoir As if by Chance: Journeys, Theatres, Lives.

Luyanda Nogodlwana, Siphokazi Mpofu and Sipho Ngxola work together as Ukwanda Puppets & Design Art Collective. They have developed their work through the mentorship of Handspring Puppet Company and are supported by the Centre for Humanities Research (CHR) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) where they are artists in residence and fellows. Their studio is based at CHR’s Iyatsiba Lab in Cape Town. (Iyatsiba means ‘It’s jumping’.)
Since its inception in 2010, Ukwanda has grown into a collective of young artists with a core group consisting of Luyanda Nogodlwana, designer, performer, puppeteer and puppet maker; Siphokazi Mpofu, communications, puppeteer, performer, producer and puppet maker; and Sipho Ngxola, puppet maker, designer, performer, film maker and puppeteer.

Ukwanda achieved considerable acclaim with their production, Qhawe: a Xhosa Fairytale, which they performed in 2014 at the National Youth Festival, Montague and the Cape Town Fringe. Qhawe: a Xhosa Fairytale won the Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2015 National Festival for the Arts, Grahamstown.
In 2018 Ukwanda created Warona, a puppetry piece dealing with drug awareness which toured in schools and theatres throughout the Cape Town area. At the 2019 National Festival for the Arts, Warona won the Standard Bank Ovation award for best ensemble as well as the Silver Award for excellence. This piece was also performed at the Assitej International Cradle of Creativity Festival.
In 2020 Ukwanda collaborated with the Augsburg Staatsteater in Germany. The production Isingqala Samanzi (The Call of Water) was performed both in South Africa and Germany in 2022.

Ukwanda have been key collaborators on the design and creation of the giant puppets for the annual Barrydale Puppet Parade in the Klein Karoo. Originally a Handspring Puppet Company initiative, this developed into a partnership between the Centre for Humanities Research at the University of the Western Cape and Net vir Pret in Barrydale. Ukwanda have also performed with the giant puppets in the Cape Town Partnership’s The City Walk, the Baxter Theatre’s Zabalaza Festival and the Cape Town Carnival, as most recently as Celebration Parade (Adelaide Festival 2024).
Ukwanda also created and directed the puppetry for the The Final Spring, the digital arts community project Reboot Eden and a short puppet film The New Normal Life which were all nominated for prestigious National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences awards. Craig Leo directed Ukwanda in his co-productions of The Lonely Sailor Weather Report (Virtual National Arts Festival 2020) and Nothing is here (2020).
In 2022 and 2023 Ukwanda co-created a new production Maxeke: This work is not for yourselves, written by Buhle Ngaba and directed by Itumeleng Wa Lehulere. The play premiered in February 2023 and in February 2024 was nominated for a Fleur du Cap award for best puppetry design.

Luyanda Nogodlwana, Siphokazi Mpofu and Sipho Ngxola work together as Ukwanda Puppets & Design Art Collective. They have developed their work through the mentorship of Handspring Puppet Company and are supported by the Centre for Humanities Research (CHR) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) where they are artists in residence and fellows. Their studio is based at CHR’s Iyatsiba Lab in Cape Town. (Iyatsiba means ‘It’s jumping’.)
Since its inception in 2010, Ukwanda has grown into a collective of young artists with a core group consisting of Luyanda Nogodlwana, designer, performer, puppeteer and puppet maker; Siphokazi Mpofu, communications, puppeteer, performer, producer and puppet maker; and Sipho Ngxola, puppet maker, designer, performer, film maker and puppeteer.

Ukwanda achieved considerable acclaim with their production, Qhawe: a Xhosa Fairytale, which they performed in 2014 at the National Youth Festival, Montague and the Cape Town Fringe. Qhawe: a Xhosa Fairytale won the Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2015 National Festival for the Arts, Grahamstown.
In 2018 Ukwanda created Warona, a puppetry piece dealing with drug awareness which toured in schools and theatres throughout the Cape Town area. At the 2019 National Festival for the Arts, Warona won the Standard Bank Ovation award for best ensemble as well as the Silver Award for excellence. This piece was also performed at the Assitej International Cradle of Creativity Festival.
In 2020 Ukwanda collaborated with the Augsburg Staatsteater in Germany. The production Isingqala Samanzi (The Call of Water) was performed both in South Africa and Germany in 2022.

Ukwanda have been key collaborators on the design and creation of the giant puppets for the annual Barrydale Puppet Parade in the Klein Karoo. Originally a Handspring Puppet Company initiative, this developed into a partnership between the Centre for Humanities Research at the University of the Western Cape and Net vir Pret in Barrydale. Ukwanda have also performed with the giant puppets in the Cape Town Partnership’s The City Walk, the Baxter Theatre’s Zabalaza Festival and the Cape Town Carnival, as most recently as Celebration Parade (Adelaide Festival 2024).
Ukwanda also created and directed the puppetry for the The Final Spring, the digital arts community project Reboot Eden and a short puppet film The New Normal Life which were all nominated for prestigious National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences awards. Craig Leo directed Ukwanda in his co-productions of The Lonely Sailor Weather Report (Virtual National Arts Festival 2020) and Nothing is here (2020).
In 2022 and 2023 Ukwanda co-created a new production Maxeke: This work is not for yourselves, written by Buhle Ngaba and directed by Itumeleng Wa Lehulere. The play premiered in February 2023 and in February 2024 was nominated for a Fleur du Cap award for best puppetry design.

Luyanda Nogodlwana, Siphokazi Mpofu and Sipho Ngxola work together as Ukwanda Puppets & Design Art Collective. They have developed their work through the mentorship of Handspring Puppet Company and are supported by the Centre for Humanities Research (CHR) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) where they are artists in residence and fellows. Their studio is based at CHR’s Iyatsiba Lab in Cape Town. (Iyatsiba means ‘It’s jumping’.)
Since its inception in 2010, Ukwanda has grown into a collective of young artists with a core group consisting of Luyanda Nogodlwana, designer, performer, puppeteer and puppet maker; Siphokazi Mpofu, communications, puppeteer, performer, producer and puppet maker; and Sipho Ngxola, puppet maker, designer, performer, film maker and puppeteer.

Ukwanda achieved considerable acclaim with their production, Qhawe: a Xhosa Fairytale, which they performed in 2014 at the National Youth Festival, Montague and the Cape Town Fringe. Qhawe: a Xhosa Fairytale won the Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2015 National Festival for the Arts, Grahamstown.
In 2018 Ukwanda created Warona, a puppetry piece dealing with drug awareness which toured in schools and theatres throughout the Cape Town area. At the 2019 National Festival for the Arts, Warona won the Standard Bank Ovation award for best ensemble as well as the Silver Award for excellence. This piece was also performed at the Assitej International Cradle of Creativity Festival.
In 2020 Ukwanda collaborated with the Augsburg Staatsteater in Germany. The production Isingqala Samanzi (The Call of Water) was performed both in South Africa and Germany in 2022.

Ukwanda have been key collaborators on the design and creation of the giant puppets for the annual Barrydale Puppet Parade in the Klein Karoo. Originally a Handspring Puppet Company initiative, this developed into a partnership between the Centre for Humanities Research at the University of the Western Cape and Net vir Pret in Barrydale. Ukwanda have also performed with the giant puppets in the Cape Town Partnership’s The City Walk, the Baxter Theatre’s Zabalaza Festival and the Cape Town Carnival, as most recently as Celebration Parade (Adelaide Festival 2024).
Ukwanda also created and directed the puppetry for the The Final Spring, the digital arts community project Reboot Eden and a short puppet film The New Normal Life which were all nominated for prestigious National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences awards. Craig Leo directed Ukwanda in his co-productions of The Lonely Sailor Weather Report (Virtual National Arts Festival 2020) and Nothing is here (2020).
In 2022 and 2023 Ukwanda co-created a new production Maxeke: This work is not for yourselves, written by Buhle Ngaba and directed by Itumeleng Wa Lehulere. The play premiered in February 2023 and in February 2024 was nominated for a Fleur du Cap award for best puppetry design.

Craig Leo is a highly regarded South African theatre designer, puppeteer, and performing artist known for his innovative work in various theatrical productions. His collaborations span a range of esteemed companies, including Magnet Theatre, Jazzart Dance Theatre, Mothertongue, Janni Younge Productions, and The Handspring Puppet Company, which is particularly renowned for its puppetry. In addition, Craig’s training in circus arts added to the experience of the dinner theatre experience of South Africa’s Madame Zingara.
Throughout his career, Craig has contributed to numerous productions, showcasing his versatility and creativity. Some notable works include adaptations of classical texts such as Medea, Antigone, Oedipus at Colonus, Manje Manje as well as Rain in a Dead Man’s Footprints, Cargo and Womb of Fire.
His collaboration with The Handspring Puppet Company has resulted in acclaimed productions such as War Horse, which has gained international recognition for its stunning puppetry and storytelling.
In addition to his design work, Craig has directed and designed puppetry for various productions, including Sally Cookson’s adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, performed at The Leeds Playhouse and Bridge Theatre in London. He has also performed in innovative pieces such as Gyre and Gimble's Vivaldi's Four Seasons Re-Imagined at Shakespeare's Globe.
Currently, Craig is a puppeteer for Little Amal a collaboration between The Walk Productions and Handspring, which has now journeyed to 18 countries across Europe, North America, South America and Australia.
Craig continues his collaboration with The Walk Productions on their new work The Herds, for which Craig is a puppetry designer and puppeteer. His work reflects a deep commitment to the art of puppetry and theatre, blending traditional techniques with contemporary storytelling.

Writer-director and producer, Tshoper Kabambi teaches cinema at the Institut National Institut National des Arts de Kinshasa, where he obtained his bachelor's degree (Bac +5) in directing theater and cinema.
Tshoper is Managing Director of Bimpa Production, his audio-visual production company that works for the emergence, visibility and promotion of cinema in the DRC. A passionate filmmaker since childhood, he has taken several training courses, workshops and master classes to realize his dream of becoming a filmmaker.
Tshoper Kabambi has produced and co-produced several high-quality feature-length and short films. He is also founder of the Festival International de Cinéma de Kinshasa (FICKIN), initiator of the “From Idea to Film” workshops and founder of the BIMPA Cultural Center.
Tshoper Kabambi also works as a fixer and executive producer on several foreign projects throughout the Great Lakes Region and Central Africa.

A Whitespace Creative Arts (AWCA) Foundation is committed to empowering artists, encouraging collaboration, and creating opportunities for the next generation of cultural practitioners.
Whitespace was founded on the idea that every artist deserves access to space that aids experimentation devoid of commercial pressures. Early initiatives like the Big Sixty Arts Festival embodied this vision, offering creatives across disciplines a platform to showcase their work. The company which is gradually morphing from just an idea consultancy agency into a full-grown foundation remains focused on bridging the gap between potential and opportunity for Nigeria’s emerging talent.
Through capacity-building, infrastructure development, and long-term support for artists, AWCA is strengthening Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem. Its work is centred on urban development, cultural programming, and preserving material heritage through sustainable and impactful practices.

A Whitespace Creative Arts (AWCA) Foundation is committed to empowering artists, encouraging collaboration, and creating opportunities for the next generation of cultural practitioners.
Whitespace was founded on the idea that every artist deserves access to space that aids experimentation devoid of commercial pressures. Early initiatives like the Big Sixty Arts Festival embodied this vision, offering creatives across disciplines a platform to showcase their work. The company which is gradually morphing from just an idea consultancy agency into a full-grown foundation remains focused on bridging the gap between potential and opportunity for Nigeria’s emerging talent.
Through capacity-building, infrastructure development, and long-term support for artists, AWCA is strengthening Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem. Its work is centred on urban development, cultural programming, and preserving material heritage through sustainable and impactful practices.

Sarah Desbois is the director of Globe, a Franco-Senegalese non-profit organisation working to promote cultural development in rural Senegal. For more than 8 years, Sarah has been developing and coordinating Globe's cultural, educational, training and artist support activities, as well as programming and promoting artists. She has also overseen the organisation of 4 editions of the Festival à Sahel Ouvert, the association’s major event, attracting more than 10,000 people at each edition and winning an award as a project promoting good global governance at the Paris Peace Forum. She is currently coordinating the construction and the educational programme for « Wendoogo », a centre for artistic training, creation and production in northern Senegal, due to open in 2025.
Sarah Desbois' extensive experience in the cultural sector in France - art galleries, public institutions, associations - and in Senegal has enabled her to develop a solid network and recognised expertise in cultural project management, event coordination and the development of strategic partnerships.

Othman Nejmeddine is a creative producer with 15 years of experience in the performing arts sector, specializing in music management and production. His previous executive positions include Deputy Director of Visa For Music's professional market and festival, President of MoMEx (Moroccan Music Export Office), Production Manager of l'Anthologie de l'Aïta, and Director of Les Etoiles du Souss Cultural Space.

His work spans both institutional and independent sectors, currently serving as an advisor to UNESCO's music department in Morocco and as international business developer for the French NGO CitéMonde, where he is also executive producer of their grand chorale Urban Voices in Morocco. Othman's current focus is on developing sustainable economic models for the cultural sector. He provides strategic consulting services to cultural institutions while maintaining an active role in production for both institutional and independent cultural spaces.

Monica has produced, directed and programmed shows and events all around the world working with leading performing arts organisations and international festivals.
She has produced and toured theatre and dance productions in Spain for many international artists and institutions including Matthew Bourne, Russell Maliphant, Sydney Dance Company, Complicité, Sadler’s Wells and The Pina Bausch Foundation.
Her producing credits include shows for Spanish superstar flamenco artists such as Joaquín Cortés, Sara Baras and Rocío Molina.

She has worked for large cultural institutions including The Royal Opera House (London), The Kennedy Center (Washington DC) where she was also a Fellow and The Creative Entertainment Group (London) as International Arts Director.
Monica created and directed the Talent Madrid Festival commissioned by Teatros del Canal: a performing arts lab and festival dedicated to finding emerging artists, which garnered multiple awards.
Her production company is also currently developing 2 new dance works and working on an upcoming national festival.

Alice Evans is a community with 10 years of experience in bringing communities into the realm of professional high quality theatre.
Alice has worked in many different education departments across the UK including most recently at Shakespeare’s Globe where she produced Midsummer Mechanicals at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The production broke all usual conventions of an audiences’ role in order to ensure that accessibility was a top priority. The production was nominated for the 2023 Olivier Award for Best Family Show.
Alice has worked as a community producer at Theatre Clwyd producing their first major community production Mold Riots: a bilingual, site-specific, outdoor, promenade show with a company of 200 community volunteers. For Mold Riots, Alice built partnerships with local charities and organisations City of Sanctuary and Mind to reach community members.
Alice curated Wellbeing: an arts programme at Deer Shed Festival, a family music festival in the north of England.
For The Walk Productions, Alice was education producer for The Walk (2021). She created the education programme and education pack which has been used by more than 750,000 worldwide. In 2023 she became Associate Producer for all of Little Amal’s journeys.

Amy has worked in refugee assistance for over 30 years with international aid organizations. She helped build and lead RefugePoint, co-launched the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, and published frequently-cited articles on refugee protection. With THE HERDS, her interest in climate displacement and lifelong passion for theater are fortuitously intertwined. Working around the world has enabled her to partake of a smorgasbord of incredible global theater offerings. She’s thrilled to help bring this one to life.

Since 2008, Constantina has been supporting artists to deliver their projects in festivals and venues across Europe but also in hospitals, prisons & schools. In 2009 she founded Among the Ants (Athens) where she designs co-creative projects with/for young people and adults. She also created μoment Creative, a professional development programme supporting creatives across the world. In 2021, she supported Little Amal’s journey across Greece working closely with Polyplanity Productions. Since December 2024, Constantina has been part of The Herds’ education team.

Lara Delaney
lara@boltonquinn.com
https://boltonquinn.com/

Charles Isidi
charles.isidi@gmail.com

Ana Ripoll
prensa@thewalkproductions.org

Valerie Six
valerie.six@aucontraireproductions.org

Before walking with Amal, Sarah Loader was a General Manager and Theatre Producer for many West End and touring theatre productions. She was the General Manager for the Young Vic, General Manager for Mark Rubinstein (MRL), Associate Producer for ATG Productions and a Production Assistant for Bill Kenwright. She was also for many years a freelance independent producer specialising in new plays and musicals. Between 2009 and 2016, she was creative associate to Simon McBurney.

Tracey Seaward’s producer credits include Danny Boyle’s Millions, Fernando Meirelles’ Academy winning The Constant Gardener; David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises; Steven Spielberg’s War Horse; Michael Grandage’s Genius; eight movies with Stephen Frears including BAFTA and Academy nominated Dirty Pretty Things, The Queen for which she won a BAFTA for Best British Film and a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination, Tamara Drewe, Philomena for which she received a further Golden Globe, BAFTA & Academy Award Best Film nomination, the Golden Globe nominated Florence Foster Jenkins starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, and Victoria & Abdul.
Tracey produced the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games, directed by Danny Boyle and The Two Popes directed by Fernando Meirelles starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce which was nominated for 4 Golden Globes, 4 BAFTAs, 3 Academy Awards.
Tracey was Executive Producer on The Palace for HBO directed by Stephen Frears and starring Kate Winslet and Pistol a six hour limited series directed by Danny Boyle for FX.

Kim Bednall is a versatile creative professional with a strong foundation in design and a passion for craftsmanship. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Kim's journey in the creative field began with the study of Interior Design at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). In 2014, she relocated to the UK/EU, where she explored a variety of fields, including a notable project—a ceiling mural she painted in Germany over the course of nine months.
In 2018, Kim further honed her skills by studying Technical Theatre & Set Design at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. It was here that she discovered a deep love for theatre and its dynamic blend of conceptual craft and technical excellence. Drawn back to South Africa by the country's vibrant creative community, Kim now works across the film and theatre industries while also pursuing her passion for landscape painting in her personal time.
Kim thrives in collaborative, creative environments where the process is as valued as the end result. She believes in the transformative power of teamwork to drive innovation and success. In her role at The Herds, Kim specializes in the digital design and reproduction of the animals, applying her expertise in 3D modeling and drafting to create detailed digital blueprints and build guides. With a unique combination of precision and creativity, Kim assists the team in translating physical creations into digital designs.

Tundra Dunckley is a multidisciplinary artist and designer specializing in sculpture, puppetry, and digital design. She earned her Fine Arts degree in 2020, majoring in Sculpture, from Michaela’s UCT in Cape Town. Her final-year piece, Corvid, was selected as one of seven promising graduate’s works from South Africa at the Turbine Art Fair.
Tundra's creative journey has been profoundly influenced by her parents— Jutta Holzapfel, a celebrated stilt-walker and performing artist and Simon Dunckley. Simon is known for his pivotal role in the design and creation of the puppets for War Horse, as well as the creation of Little Amal for The Walk Productions for the Handspring Puppet Company. This mentorship with Tundra’s parents’ has been fundamental to her artistic development, nurturing both her technical expertise and creative vision. This strong foundation has seamlessly guided her transition from independent art projects to collaborative roles within the film and entertainment industries.
In 2021, Tundra entered Cape Town’s dynamic film industry, where she worked as a scenic artist on major productions such as The Woman King, 1923, and Boy Kills World. Under the mentorship of Jesse Stevenson, she further honed her craft, gaining invaluable experience on high-profile sets and expanding her expertise in visual storytelling.
For THE HERDS, Tundra focuses on the design and reproduction of the animals, utilizing her technical expertise in 3D modelling to create detailed digital blueprints and build guides. Her work blends precision with creativity, allowing her to transform physical creations into digital designs.

Simon is a creator and maker of many things including puppets, props, masks and large-scale outdoor sculpture, both static and kinetic.
After returning from Holland where he worked with the Balloon Company, he joined The Odd Engineers in Cape Town, touring South Africa with site specific theatre. In addition, he has designed and fabricated large-scale sculptures for the Africa Burn group.
Simon’s creative collaborative relationship with Handspring Puppet Company includes War Horse and Or You Can Kiss Me (2010) for the National Theatre, London. For the Bristol Old Vic he assisted with the design and fabrication of the puppets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2013).
Most recently he was a key part of the design and construction of Little Amal, a 12 foot puppet of a refugee child, produced by The Walk Productions in association with Handspring Puppet Company.

Hansie is a highly regarded South African puppet designer, fabricator, and manipulator, renowned for his extensive career in theatre and puppetry. He earned an Honours degree in Fine Arts from the University of Pretoria, specializing in Information Design. Since 1975, Hansie has served as the Artistic Director of The Little Marionette Company, where his innovative work has been showcased at prominent venues and festivals both in South Africa and internationally, including performances in France, Austria, the United States, and Denmark.

Visagie’s contributions to the arts have earned him significant recognition, including the prestigious Alumni Laureate award from the University of Pretoria in 2002, and multiple nominations for the ARTES awards from SABC TV. In 2015, his company received a nomination for a Kyk-Net Fiesta, and in 2024, the production Surge, which he designed for The Magnet Theater, was nominated for a Fleur du Cap award.
Over the course of his career, Hansie has worked on more than seventy professional theatre productions—both for children and adults—alongside approximately thirty children’s television series and various commercials. His passion for puppetry and theatre extends beyond performance, as he has been deeply involved in training future generations of artists. He has taught students from esteemed institutions such as the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, Tshwane University of Technology, and the Magnet Theatre, as well as candidates from UNIMA.
In addition to his work in puppetry and theatre, Hansie is skilled in directing, character design, set and costume creation, props, makeup design, and construction. He also pursues interests in scriptwriting, painting, and sculpting. Notably, in 2023, he contributed to the creation of characters for the opening ceremony of the Asian Soccer Cup in Qatar. Currently, he is part of the design and fabrication team for THE HERDS.

Ulrika Josephsson has a long and distinguished career in the performing arts, combining leadership and production expertise. She began her career as producer for groups like Birgitta Egerbladh's dance company and Romateatern, before joining Unga Riks at Riksteatern (Swedish National Touring Theatre) in the late 90s.
In the early 2000s, Ulrika became Production Manager at Riks Drama, an artistic department at Riksteatern focusing on contemporary drama, leading alongside playwright Lars Norén for eight years. The performances produced during this period made a great impact on the Swedish theatre world and won many awards both nationally and internationally. After Riks Drama Ulrika freelanced for a couple of years including artistic advisory at Rattlestick Theatre in New York.
From 2009 to 2013, she served as CEO and Artistic Director at Folkteatern in Gothenburg. During this period she was part of initiating the EU project "Cities on Stage." In 2014, she co-founded the Jupither Josephsson Theatre Company, which has produced acclaimed works featured at Festival d'Avignon. Since 2016, she has programmed and produced The Ingmar Bergman International Theatre Festival at Dramaten, presenting world-class directors. Currently, she is also a producer at The Royal Opera in Stockholm.

Au Contraire Productions is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing live performances. Founder Claire Béjanin developed her career in public theater (MC93 Bobigny, Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence) and later worked on international projects like The Bridge Project with Sam Mendes and The Walk with Little Amal with The Walk Productions. Her partner in crime, Valérie Six, comes from public theater (Théâtre du Nord, Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe, Festival d’Avignon, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence) and has specialized in communication, fundraising, and initiating artistic projects over the past decade.
With a team of passionate women, Au Contraire Productions creates and promotes interdisciplinary artistic projects (theater, dance, music, opera, digital art, immersive events) while advocating for essential causes like human rights and environmental preservation.
The organization also focuses on inclusivity by offering access to artistic activities for disadvantaged groups. Alongside its productions, it provides education and conducts research in performing arts.
With a collaborative and non-restrictive approach, Au Contraire Productions combines diverse expertise and networks to deliver impactful, socially engaged art projects.