ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2025 France

Catch The Wave Cuba! An IIAN Event Celebrating & Exploring Inclusion

International Inclusive Arts Network (IIAN), ASSITEJ Spain, ASSITEJ Brazil, ASSITEJ Ibero American Network, ASSITEJ Cuba

Inclusive Theatre / Pabellón Cuba - Conference Room

This workshop meeting aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of IIAN with delegates. The schedule for the workshop is as follows:

Introduction – The role of IIAN – who we are and what we do? This will give way to a wider discussion around inclusion within TYA, offering Spanish speaking delegates the chance to ask questions, and to share practical advice and ideas.

Into the future – How can we facilitate the addition and fusion of an Ibero-American IIAN network, alongside the existing network? How can we add information about this new network on the existing website with news and views in both Spanish and English, and other practical matters?

We will end with a finale to celebrate and cement our new friendships.

Production Credits

Cleiton ECHEVESTE, ASSITEJ Brasil

Jaume BELLÓ, ASSITEJ Spain

Vicky Ireland, IIAN Founder, U.K.

Nishna Mehta, ASSITEJ India

Ginni Manning, IIAN Board Member/ PYA UK

About the Artists

Cleiton Echeveste is an actor, playwright, director and researcher with the Pandorga Theatre Company and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts (PPGAC/UNIRIO). He is the President of the Board of Administration at the Brazilian Centre of Theatre for Children and Youth.

Jaume Belló is the IIAN Champion in Spain. His career is focused on inclusivity, which includes work with the Performing Arts and Disability project ‘La Màxima’ of the ILERSIS Foundation. Jaume worked as Professor of Interpretation and Projects at the CFGSTAT, and Coordinator of the ‘Social Classroom Project’ at the Municipal Theatre Classroom until 2021. He has also served as Cultural Mediator at Lleida from 2010 to 2016, and as Director of XIP XAP from 1999-2012.

Vicky Ireland is a founding member of the International Inclusive Arts Network (IIAN) and is currently Co-secretary. She is an Honorary Member of ASSITEJ International, reflecting her ongoing commitment to inclusive TYA. As Artistic Director of Polka Theatre, London she directed, produced and commissioned new theatre writing for children. She is an Associate Director of A Thousand Cranes Theatre and Chair of the charity, Action for Children’s Arts.

Ginni Manning is an IIAN Board member. She's a playwright, theatre maker and writer from Liverpool, U.K. She has been awarded a grant from Arts Council England to explore the role of the playwright in TYA, looking at accessiblility in the creative process.

Nishna Mehta is the Chair of IIAN. Nishna Mehta (@nishnamehta) is an MA in Theatre for Young Audiences graduate from Rose Bruford College, England. She has worked as an all-round theatre-maker in Mumbai with TYA companies like Gillo Repertory Theatre (gillogilehri) as well as engaged with children and young people of all abilities in England, Ireland, Singapore and Germany during her MA and travels. She has been an ASSITEJ International (@assitejofficial) 'Next Generation' residency participant in 2015 and 2016.