Professor Octavian Saiu

Octavian Saiu received his PhD in Theatre Studies from National University of Theatre and Film (NUTF) in Romania and completed another PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Otago in New Zealand. He was a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the English Department of the University of Otago, and has received his Habilitation in Theatre and Performing Arts. He chaired sessions in the "Talks and Workshops Series" of Edinburgh International Festival and has been the Chair of the Conferences of Sibiu International Theatre Festival since 2004. Since 2014 he has been the Chair of the Shakespeare Studies Conference in the context of the biennial Craiova International Shakespeare Festival. Throughout the years, he has hosted cultural conversations with Tim Robbins, Jin Xing, Neil LaBute, Ohad Naharin, Jaroslaw Fret, Mao Weitao, Stan Lai, Stanley Wells, Benny Lim, Robert Wilson, Sasha Waltz, Thomas Ostermeier, Declan Donnellan, Akram Khan and many others. He has authored twelve books on theatre. On the occasion of the Day of the National Culture, the 15th of January 2020, the President of Romania awarded him the title, Knight of the Order of Cultural Merit.

Tobias Biancone

Tobias Biancone was born in Bern, Switzerland, and is of Swiss and Italian heritage. A Poet and writer, he studied in French and German literature and language, as well as the arts history, at the University of Bern/Switzerland. His works have been published in German, English, Bangla (Bengali) Ilonggo, Tagalog, Spanish, Arabic and Russian. His collaboration with the Swiss painter Claude Sandoz was shown in the art museums of Thun and Bern (both Switzerland) and in art galleries. His dramatic work has been shown in Germany (Exhibition Opera in Bremen) and in Switzerland. He has a long history of working for the arts, lending his expertise across varied fields. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his work. He is an Honorary Professor of the Central Academy of Drama.He served on the board of the Swiss Centre of ITI, spent six years as president of the ITI International Playwrights´ Forum, and was part of the ITI Executive Council for six years. He has been the leader of the General Secretariat since 2008 and President of the Network for Higher Education in the Performing Arts since 2014.

Gianina Cărbunariu

Director playwright, Manager of Teatrul Tineretului and curator of the Theatre Festival in Piatra Neamț, Romania, since 2017. She works in the Romanian independent scene and also collaborates with state theatre such as National Theatre in Sibiu, Mic Theatre or Odeon Theatre in Bucharest. As a director and playwright she also collaborated with Centro Dramatico Nacional Madrid, Kammerspiele Theatre in Munich, Emilia Romagna Teatro from Bologna, Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, Royal Court London, Schaubuhne Berlin, Volkstheater Vienna. Her performances were presented in the official selection of Avignon Festival (2014, Solitaritate), Wiener Festwochen 2016, Biennale of New Plays from Wiesbaden, TransAmerique Festival from Montreal, International Theatre Festival from Liege, New Drama Festival in Moscow, Dialog in Wroclav, Kontakt Festival in Torun, Konfrontacje Festival in Lublin, New Drama in Budapest, LIFT festival in London, Mladi Levi Festival in Liubliana, Divadelna Nitra, HAU in Berlin, Trafo Budapest, National Theatre of Bruxelles etc. Her plays were translated and staged by other directors in Europe, SUA, Canada, Japan and published by Actes Sud in France, Oberon Books London (the play Kebab) , Martin E. Segal Theatre Publications, Theater der Zeit.

Pawit Mahasarinand

The first Southeast Asian member of the executive committee of International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC), Pawit teaches cultural management, transdisciplinary theory and practice in performing arts and theatre criticism at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. A recipient of the insignia of chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres, he was director of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) and Sodsai Pantoomkomol Centre for Dramatic Arts as well as a theatre and dance critic for The Nation newspaper.

Wan-Jung Wei

Wan-Jung is the youngest Executive Director of OISTAT (International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians) since its inception, also the first with diplomatic training. She joined OISTAT in 2011 to combine her passion for dance, theatre and international affairs, applying this blend of skills to her daily works. Wan-Jung Wei holds an MA degree in Arts Politics & Public Policy in New York University. She continuously explores the relation between performing arts and politics with a focus on women’s rights and gender equality.