ShebaStage

Founded in 2023 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, ShebaStage Performing Arts Management is an association dedicated to the management and professional development of performing artists, with a particular focus on circus arts.

Its mission is to support Ethiopian circus artists in accessing international stages while building sustainable careers in their home country. ShebaStage aims to create a bridge between Ethiopia's rich performing arts heritage and international professional standards.

Its activities include the professional development and training of emerging circus artists, through advanced training, the creation of professional portfolios, and preparation for auditions and international productions.

ShebaStage also represents Ethiopian circus artists and companies, connecting them with international festivals, venues, schools and producers.

Alongside its work with artists, the organisation contributes to strengthening Ethiopia's circus training ecosystem by collaborating with local schools and companies to develop pedagogical and professional standards. Its knowledge-sharing initiatives, including the “Ambassadors” workshops, bring methods of creation, artistic analysis and staging to circus schools and companies across Ethiopia.

ShebaStage directly represents a portfolio of 30 professional artists and works with a network of Ethiopian circus partners, including Ethio-Selam, Sheger Circus & Gymnastics Club, Addis Africa Circus and Ethio Winget Circus. Through these collaborations, its activities reach several hundred young artists.

Activities and contribution to circus education

ShebaStage works closely with Ethiopian circus schools and companies to support the structuring and professionalisation of the sector.

Its work includes:

• Building partnerships with Ethiopian circus schools to strengthen teaching standards and develop a shared professional language.

• Organising training and knowledge-sharing programmes, including the “Ambassadors” workshops, to pass on creative and analytical methods to young artists.

• Connecting Ethiopia's circus training ecosystem with the international professional network, creating opportunities for mobility, exchange and professional development.

• The development of international collaborations between Ethiopia, Europe and North America through masterclasses, artistic residencies and educational exchanges.

ShebaStage also collaborates with the École de Cirque de Lausanne-Renens in Switzerland on educational exchanges and training initiatives. Other partners include NIPAI in Berlin, an institute for performing arts creation and pedagogy, as well as several circus schools and companies in Ethiopia.

The association's founder, Aklilu Tsige Werkneh, is a former Ethiopian gymnast and circus artist, and graduated from the National Circus School in Montréal in 2019. From 2013 to 2018, he taught at the École de Cirque de Lausanne-Renens. A software engineer, he is also the designer and developer of the ShebaStage digital platform, which facilitates the management, representation and visibility of artists. This combination of artistic and technological expertise, built across Ethiopia, Switzerland and Canada, enables him to build bridges between Ethiopian artists and international stages.

ShebaStage Platform

ShebaStage is built around a digital platform dedicated to Ethiopian performing arts artists. Each artist has a professional profile featuring their biography, background, training, photos and videos, which can be viewed on shebastage.com by festivals, venues, casting directors and international partners.

The platform generates CVs, portfolios and certificates authenticated via QR codes, providing partners and institutions with verified information about artists' professional backgrounds. Available in French, English and Amharic, it helps reduce the administrative and linguistic barriers that can limit Ethiopian artists' access to international stages.

Find out more about this member

General Director: Aklilu Tsige Werkneh
Year of foundation: 2023
Location: Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland

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