Ana Mirtha is a Spanish theatre artist living in London and Madrid. She is the Artistic Director of Knuk Theatre.
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She graduated in Physical Theatre at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA). A two year Lecoq´s based and devising theatre program directed by Thomas Prattki. And has completed her studies in clown, puppetry, butoh, contemporary dance, Laban technique, and circus (tumbling, acro-balance, flying trapeze, static trapeze, Chinese pole, tight wire, rope and unicycle) at The Circus Space (London), The Place (London) Central School of Speech and Drama(London), Rada (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts) (London), La Cuarta Pared (Madrid) and Karen Taft (Madrid).
She has worked internationally as a perfomer-deviser, director and puppeteer for several companies such as: Wet Picnic (U.K) ,Strange Attractor Theatre (U.S.A), Finger in the Pie (U.K), La Mirilla Teatro (Spain), No Time Teatro (Spain) or Cabuia Teatro (Argentina)
Ana Mirtha has also trained with Norman Taylor (Lecoq), Lorna Marshall, John Nobbs(Suzuki Technique), Jacqui Carrol (Suzuki Technique), Vanessa Ewan (Laban), Richard Emmert (Teatro Noh), Frances Barbe (Danza Butoh), Marie Gabrielle-Rotie (Butoh) and companies such as:
Song of the Goat, Wired Aerial Theatre and Frank Theatre among others.
Over 16 years, she has specialized in devising and physical theatre, but she has also worked with text with different directors both in U.K (Filiz Özcan, Alex Parsonage) and Spain (Antonio Avellaneda, Carlos Manzanares, etc).
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She has taught Physical Theatre, Devising Skills, Playfulness and Clown in Estudio Juan Codina (Madrid, Spain), ESAD (Vigo, Spain), Greenwich University (London, U.K) and for companies such as DAF Theatre (Madrid, Spain) and ECAS Theatre (Providence, Rhode Island).
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Ana Mirtha is passionate about the poetry of movement. Her interests as a theatre maker go beyong the theatre of mere entertainment. She focuses in creating a theatre that grows from the honesty of the actor´s body and it´s capacity to make visible the invisible, with the intention of provoking the audience new questions about existence and theatre itself.
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As an artist she firmly believes that on stage “ Everything is possible” and she resumes her passion for creation with Beckett´s famous quote:
"No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better”.
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"My name is Ana Mirtha, I am a 36 year-old Spanish Physical Performer and Theatremaker.
I feel very confident devising and working within an ensemble as that´s what I have mainly done in the past ten years. But I am also happy to be directed. Or direct others.
I am enthusiastic and playful but I also respect and love my work very much, so when I commit with a project I am more than happy to give my full energy and focus to it.
I am not afraid of pushing my physical or emotional boundaries. Actually, just the idea of it makes me extremely excited.
I am absolutely passionate about movement and Theatre and I would love to become part of a team that gives me the chance to play, risk and share with them in order to create new exciting work and to explore new ways of communicating with an audience."
Education
QUALIFICATIONS
Graduated in Physical Theatre (Lecoq technique) and Devised Theatre from the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA) (Ending on July 2008). School directed by Thomas Prattki (who was the pedagogical director of the École Internationale Théâtre de Jacques Lecoq in Paris for over 12 years) and Amy Russell.
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2023 Savitri Teatro (Colombia)
"Lo evanescente: El cuerpo y el espacio en el Butoh" with Juan Merchán
"Desvelando la comicidad: Exageración y contradicción" with Camilo Carvajal
2022 An Danza ( Vale do Capao, Brasil)
“ O corpo Sublime: Exploraciones metamórficas” impartido por Rais Scarton (Chiapada Diamantina, Brasil)
"Entrenamiento físico y vocal" (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
with Guillermo Angelelli
2021 Casa OM (Mazunte, México)
“ The space, the body and its poetry:Contact Dance” with Irene Sposseti ( Mazunte, México)
2014 Central School of Speech and Drama
“Laban Efforts of Action Drive” with Vanessa Ewan
2013 Rada Studios
“Noh Theatre” workshop with Richard Emmert
Karen Taft
Contemporary jazz technique course
Eastbourne House
“Playfulness and clown for the actor” by The Movement Lab
Escuela de Gené y Chamé (Madrid)
Clown workshop with Hernán Gené
Chesinhale Dance Space (London)
“Movement Laboratory” with Norman Taylor
Moving Arts Base (London)
"Cultivating Creativity through Butoh and Suzuki" with Frances Barbe
Siobhan Davies (London)
“Cultivating creativity” workshop with Lorna Marshal
Circus Space (London)
Tumbling Course
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2010 University of Kent (Canterbury)
Frank Suzuki Performance Aesthetics workshop with Jonh Nobbs and Jacqui Carrol of Frank Theatre company
The Higher Space (Liverpool)
Bungee Assisted and Wall Dancing course with
Wired Aerial Theatre Company.
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2009 Eastbourne House (London)
Physical Theatre Workshop with Marcin Rudy
(Song of the Goat Theatre)
The Courtyard Theatre (London)
Butoh Workshop with Yomiko Yoshika
Circus Space (London)
Chinese Pole Course (2009-2011)
Aerial Course (Rope, Flying Trapece, Static Trapece)
Equilibristics Arts Course ( Tight Wire, Unicycle, Juggling,
Whip Cracking)
Tumbling
Handstands
The Performer´s Playground (Warhorse Theatreworks)
“ Grotowski and Viewpoints” with Filippos Kanakaris
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2008 Bullion Theatre (London)
Butoh Workshop with Frances Barbe
Capoeira Agora School (London)
Capoeira Workshop with Justyna Poznan
2007 The Place (London)
Contemporary Technique Dance Course
Buddhist Arts Centre (London)
Butoh Workshop with Marie-Gabrielle Rotie
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Professional experience as a Performer
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JORCAM (Young Orquestra of Comunidad Madrid)
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2020-2021 Struwwelpeter, Cuentos crueles al oído devised by Ana Mirtha
Sariego, Cristina Cubells, Malvin Montero.
directed by: Cristina Cubells
Composer: Carlos de Castellarnau
Musical director: Jordi Francés
Palau de las Arts (Valencia) as part of the Contemporary Music Festival "ENSEMS Festival de Música Contemporánea"
Teatros del Canal (Madrid)
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2018 “I´d be lost without it" devised by the company,
directed by: Matt Feerick
Salisbury Playhouse (Salisbury), Brighton Old Market (Brighton),
South Street Reading (Reading), Stratford Circus (London)
and Old Fire Station Oxford (Oxford).
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2018 "Club Shed" devised by the company,
directed by: Matt Feerick
South Street Reading (Reading).
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2017-2018 "Crime Scene Live" devised by the company,
directed by: Matt Feerick
Performed monthly at the Natutal History Museum (London)
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2016-2019 “The Aperitif” devised by the company,
directed by: Matt Feerick.
Stockton International Riverside Festival (Stockton), Appetite (Stoke),
Darlington.
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2016-2017 “The Ball” devised by the company,
directed by: Matt Feerick.
Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival (Bournemouth),
Stockton International Riverside Festival (Stockton), Coventry, Darlington.
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2016 "The Dinner Table" devised by the company,
directed by: Matt Feerick.
Creswell Crag Festival.
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2013-2018 “Suitcases” devised by the company,
directed by: Matt Feerick.
Hat Fair (Winchester), Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival (Bournemouth),
Kidderminster, Coventry, Does Space Festival (Doncaster),
Art in the Park Festival (Leamington)
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2014-2015 "Briefcases" devised by the company,
directed by: Matt Feerick and Andrew Dawson
Venue: Lighthouse Poole (Poole)
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Culturepot Global
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2013 “Bonbibi” directed by Filiz Özcan.
Main Role: Bonbibi
Venue: Rich Mix (London)
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City of the Moon Theatre
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2011-2012 “Tara, Under The Weather” devised by the company.
Venue: Etcetera Theatre (London), Dudgale Centre (London Mimetic Festival),
Kubik Fabrik (Madrid)
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City of the Moon Theatre in collaboration with Strange Attractor Theatre
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2011 “If you shoot a boot you might get wet” devised by the company.
Venue: Perishable Theatre (Providence, Rhode island, USA)
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2009-2010 “Turkish Delights” directed by Filiz Özcan.
Venue: Touring U.K
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Triple Trip Theatre
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2009 “The pallela project” devised by the company.
Venue: Taste of Spain Festival (London and Edinburgh)
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Quatre Mans Theatre
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2009 “Not to be reproduced” devised by the company.
Venue: Candem´s People Theatre ( as part of Scene Pool Festival) (London)
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2008 “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen.
Main Role:Gerda
Venue:New Wimbledon Studio (London)
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Knuk Theatre
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2008-2013 “Family Secrets” physical solo storytelling by Ana Mirtha Sariego.
Venues: The Jack Theatre,Trip of the light fantastic toe Cabaret,
Amersham Arms, Resistance Gallery,The Jam, Calders Bookshop. (London)
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Short Films:
2005 Los amantes ensangrentados by Gabriel Medialdea.
Finalist XI Festival de Cortos de la escuela de cine de Madrid
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2004 La vida propia by JH Estrada.
Finalist VI Festival de cortos Antonio de Nebrija
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Ahora me vas a oir by Nuria Cubas.
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2003 El alma de los perros by Alberto Ruiz.
Professional Experience as a Director
2018 Human
by Pepe Castejon.
Company: Dactilar Teatro.
Venue: La Vilella Teatro (Barcelona)
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2017 Trygve -vs- a baby
Co-devised with Trygve Wakenshaw
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August 2017-Roxy Assembley. (Edinburgh) Fringe Festival.
October 2017- Battersea Arts Centre (London)
April 2018- Jatka 78 (Prague)
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2006 Esperando a Godot by Samuel Beckett.
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Co-directed with Pablo Osuna.
"No Es Culpa Nuestra Teatro"
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1ST Prize and Best Direction Prize of Festival de Teatro de la UPM.
1st Prize Festival de Teatro de Móstoles.
2nd Prize Festival de Teatro de Carabanchel.
Best scenography prize CERTALC.
Best music prize CERTALC.
Best make-up prize CERTALC.
Best collective acting prize CERTALC.
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2002 Director´s assistant in
A tumba abierta by Alfonso Vallejo
Argólida Teatro
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Venue: Teatro de la Abadia (Madrid)
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1st Prize UCM´s Theatre Festival
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Physical Theatre and Movement Teacher
Teaching adults:
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2018-2020 Teaching Neutral Mask, Movement and Physical Theatre principles at Estudio Juan Codina (Madrid,Spain)
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2019-2020 Teaching Physical theatre, Dramatic territories and Devising skills in Escuela Internacional del Gesto (Madrid, Spain)
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2016 Workshop "Playfuness" at Espacio Teatral Canning (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
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2015- Workshop “The Poetic Body” at ESAD (Vigo, Spain)
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2014- Teaching Physical Theatre and Devising for DAF company (Madrid)
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2011- Drama teacher for ECAS Theatre (Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A)
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2009- Workshop “Playwright:The dramatic conflict” at Greenwich University (London, U.K)
As a drama teacher:
2016-2017- Teaching Drama in English and Spanish for TEATRO HORMIGAS (Madrid).
2008-2016 Working for ARTIS EDUCATION teaching the curriculum in Primary Schools through performing arts (U.K).
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2009-2015 Working for BIGFOOT ARTS EDUCATION as a drama facilitator in Primary Schools (U.K).
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2012-2016 Working as an actress and educator in secondary schools for HYPERFUSION (U.K).
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Ana Mirtha in pictures
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If You Shoot a Boot You Might Get Wet
Rompecabezas Theatre in collaboration with Strange Attractor Theatre
Tara or Under The Weather
Quatre Mans Theatre
Videos
Tara Under the Weather
City of the Moon Theatre
Crime Scene Live
Wet Picnic
The Aperitif
Wet Picnic
Struwelpeter. Cuentos Crueles al oido
Jorcam
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Knuk Theatre is an International Theatre Company whose members devise and work as an ensemble.
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Knuk is interested in provoking audiences by creating high-impact physical theatre.
Using clown, slapstick, multi-lingual text, and choreography, with a particular interest in the eccentric and absurd, the company interrogates big human themes such as identity, love, loss and belonging.
The company takes its inspiration from the works of different artists from a diverse array of disciplines, including Sammuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Magritte, Escher, Jacek Yerka, Arvö Part, Aki Kaurismaki, Roy Anderson and Emir Kusturika among others.
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Knuk was founded by Ana Mirtha Sariego as an attempt to create Theatre that has no boundaries, and no fears. A theatre that is so imprudent that it challenges art and life itself. A theatre that is not only entertainment, but also a means of connecting with the audience and opening our hearts. Because Knuk creates from the heart and to the heart.
Knuk creates with passion and enthusiasm. As if it was the first day we’ve ever gathered together in a rehearsal room, as if we had never failed and never recovered a thousand times before, as if we knew that the only thing that keeps us alive is to go back to being children again, and PLAY...just PLAY. Because its that simple.
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Knuk Theatre is lucky enough to be in collaboration with the wonderful stupidity of exciting international artists and performers. from different nationalities and backgrounds:
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Nicolás Greco co-founder (Argentina) , Carlos Cegarra (Spain), Ryan Murphy (U.K) Jorge Velasco (Spain), Diego Akselrad (Argentina), Jed Hancock-Brainerd (U.S.A), Rebecca Noon (U.S.A), Randy Gingsburg (U.S.A) Carlos Jiménez-Alfaro (Spain), Alejandro de Santos (Spain), Emiliano Calcagno (Spain), Jordi Rovira (Spain), Ross Flight (U.K)
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News
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Ana Mirtha has been recently interviewed by English director Russell Lucas for "300 Thoughts for Theatremakers"
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Due to Covid19, the programmed shows of Struwelpeter, cuentos crueles al oído in Teatro López de Ayala (Badajoz) have been postponed.
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Ana Mirtha is currently devising a show for the Imperial War Museum (London) with the company Wet Picnic (U.K). The show will open on the 26th of November at the Churchill War Rooms in London.
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She is also devising wit Wet Picnic a series of films named "The birthday Party"
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Knuk Theatre had to postpone the opening of their show Home: A Journey to the Unknown, due to Covid19. The show will soon be performed at Teatro Circo (Murcia)
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Contact
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