A circus and theater artist, she trained in South American and Catalan circus as a trapeze artist before specializing in Chinese pole at the Centre des Arts du Cirque in Lomme, under Monsieur Tian. She completed professional training at Le Lido in Toulouse as a circus actress, while simultaneously earning a diploma and a bachelor’s degree in performing arts from the Jean Jaurès University in Toulouse.
She has worked on various circus, dance, and theater projects with companies such as Cie Angela Laurier, Cie Cahin Caha, Aurélien Bory, Théâtre du Capitole, Opéra de Tours, Opéra de Lille, Cie Timshel, Cie Singulière, Cie Oncore, Cie Delirium Lumens, among others.
She teaches Chinese pole workshops and technical and artistic research laboratories for all circus disciplines. She has conducted workshops in Italy, Argentina, Belgium, France, Spain, Brazil, as well as in various circus schools such as ESACTO Lido, Bordeaux Circus School, and ESAC.
She also works as an outside eye and assistant director for various circus, dance, and theater projects. Currently, she is pursuing studies in osteopathy.
Koen WalravensKoen Walravens, a graduate in sports physiotherapy with 20 years of experience. He has been working at ESAC since 2019 and previously spent 11 years with the professional football team of Anderlecht. He is responsible for the medical follow-up of students and provides physical preparation. He also teaches anatomy to first and second-year students.
Sophia RodriguezSophia Rodríguez is a Venezuelan actress, dancer, circus artist, and playwright. In 2000, she earned her bachelor’s degree in physical theater from the educational program of the National Theater of Venezuela. In 2003, she studied tightrope walking intensively for a year at the National Circus School of Cuba. In 2008, she received her degree in dance from the Experimental University of the Arts in Venezuela. In 2011, she won the award for Best Actress at the Sétkani Festival for her work developed during her master’s studies at the Scuola Teatro Dimitri. In 2013, she was awarded the DanceWEB scholarship as part of the Impulstanz Festival in Vienna. In 2014, she completed her master’s degree in physical theater at the Scuola Teatro Dimitri.
Since 2003, she has been the author of several performances in collaboration with many artists such as Ivo Dimchev and Micha Goldberg. In 2012, Micha Goldberg and Sophia Rodriguez began collaborating and together created their first project, “The Primal Money Scream,” presented at Volksroom, CAMPO, Gezeralle, and TAZ2014. Their second piece in 2014, “The Garden Laboratorium,” was produced by CAMPO and presented at the festival Something Raw and Possible (Im)possible Future, and their third edition in 2015, “You and Me How Hot Can It Be,” a project produced by De Theater-fabricant, was presented in a shop on Gheude Street in Anderlecht and at Theater Monty.
In 2017, she participated in the Kunstenfestivaldesarts by performing in the piece “Autoctonos,” created in collaboration with and directed by Ayelen Parolin. In 2018, she embarked on a two-year world tour with the play “(B)” by Koen Augustijnen. In 2019, she created a new solo piece, “My Nature,” in collaboration with Marijs, performed at the Syndikat Festival and the Tictac Art Center. In 2018, she met Julia Reist (ARP), and since then, they have developed a research project together called “Ostentation.” In 2019, she received support from Kunstenweerkplaats and the Flemish Cultural Commission to continue the research on Ostentation. The premiere of Ostentation took place in 2020 at the Batârd Festival, CAMPO Entrance, and III Sindikat 2020, a festival where she was selected as part of the 8 tension Impulstanz program in Vienna (canceled due to Covid19), and she was invited to participate in the NEXT 2020 festival. She is currently a professor of dramaturgy at ESAC (FWB).
Sara LemaireJulien RosembergDirector of HorsLesMurs – National Resource Center for Street Arts and Circus Arts in France. He conducts research in contemporary cultural history in connection with the Center for Social History of the 20th Century (Panthéon-Sorbonne University), focusing on cultural policies, cultural history of live performance, and critical analysis of shows. As the editor-in-chief of the Stradda magazine, he regularly collaborates with several cultural and artistic journals. He also teaches Circus History and Critical Analysis of Performances at the National School of Circus Arts in Rosny-sous-Bois and at ESAC since 2009.
Virginie DevillersVirginie Devillers (born 1967) holds a degree in Art History from ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) since 1991, with a focus on Contemporary Arts. She was a longtime editor of the university’s magazine (Revue Ah!), which she co-hosted with philosopher Jacques Sojcher. Currently, she is a professor of Art History at ESAC (Ecole Supérieure des Arts du Cirque), teaching Aesthetic Philosophy, Contemporary Literature, and Text Analysis at ENSAV-La Cambre. Since 2013, she has also been responsible for quality coordination at ESAC.
Axel SeeuwsPassionate about trampoline since a young age, he holds a degree in physical education. For several years, he has been teaching in various schools and artistic institutions. He joined ESAC in 2006, where he teaches acrobatics and trampoline.
Cécile DetervillePassionate about trampoline and teaching, she first pursued training as a coach and judge in trampoline, both in Belgium (1994) and France (1995). To further her pedagogical skills, she studied physical education at UCL, completing her degree in 1999. In 1998, she founded the trampoline club in Louvain La Neuve before becoming a teacher in trampoline and floor acrobatics at ESAC in 2003. Additionally, since 2005, she has served as a technical advisor at the University and manages the Gymnastics and Acrobatic Sports Hall in Louvain La Neuve.
Thomas LoriauxCivil Architect Engineer, acrobatic artist, and circus arts teacher specializing in aerial disciplines and flying trapeze. He has led a consulting firm dedicated to entertainment technology and worked for various inspection bodies as a specialized controller in the fields of Shows & Events. Regularly coordinates and conducts various prevention and training missions for entertainment technicians in safety, rigging, lifting, structure assembly, and working at heights. Founder of AERISC since 2000 and CEO of CATS Engineering since 2012, he has been teaching rigging techniques at ESAC since 2003.
Hans-Joachim DavidHans-Joachim (Hayo) David is originally from Berlin. After studying at the Theaterschool in Amsterdam, where he obtained a BA in Dance and Choreography, he lived and worked in New York City, performing with various artists such as John Kelly, Remy Charlip, Jo Andres, and Yoshiko Chuma. Upon returning to Europe, he met the director Frederic Flamand and began a long collaboration, first as a dancer at Plan-K and Charleroi/Danses, and later as a choreographic assistant in various international projects. Concurrently, he developed his work as a choreographer and, notably, as an educator. He has taught classes and workshops in numerous companies and institutions across Europe. He has been a professor at ESAC since 2016.