Nayana Fielkov is a critically acclaimed performing artist, theatre-maker, and educator whose work explores the transformative power of play through clown, mask, movement, and devised theatre. For over two decades, she has cultivated a unique multidisciplinary practice that is brave, poetic, humorous, and deeply imaginative.
Based on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples—Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations—Nayana creates performances that invite audiences into surreal, heart-forward worlds.
Her work has been presented internationally at renowned festivals including the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival (Vancouver), Fusion Festival (Berlin), and Kaso Jogi Theatre Festival (Tokyo), where her solo show Underbelly received the Critics’ Pick Award.
She is the co-creator and performer of a wide repertoire of award-winning shows, including Falling Awake, Hotel Vortruba, A Can of Worms, Habitats, The Myrtle Sisters, and Flotsam River Circus, among others. Her performances are celebrated for their genre-defying theatricality, whimsical surrealism, and emotional nuance. As a director and dramaturg, she has contributed to numerous productions that continue to tour nationally and internationally.
A founding member of both The Poupon Parade and The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret, Nayana has also choreographed for EDAM Dance and The Lookout Arts Quarry. She has developed original work through international residencies at Tanzzentrale (Germany), The Capitol Theatre (Nelson), ArtSpring Theatre (Salt Spring Island), The Massey Theatre (New Westminster), and more. Many of which, with the support of the Canada Council or BC arts Council.
Dedicated to the intersection of art and healing, Nayana works as a healthcare clown with the Mirth Unit at BC Children’s Hospital and tours with the New Old Time Chautauqua, a social circus initiative focused on reconciliation and outreach in underrepresented communities.
As an educator, she has taught clown for performance and personal transformation for over 10 years, fostering an international community of adult students and collaborators. She also works extensively with children—touring to schools, international children’s festivals, and directing youth-focused projects for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival and Still Moon Arts Festival.
Behind the scenes, she is the Artistic Director, curator, and producer of the Circus Extravaganza at Sh’Bang Festival (Bellingham, WA), and has held leadership roles on the boards of James & Jamesy Theatre Society and The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret, and has acted as a peer assessor on the BC arts council funding committee.
She is a trained somatic practitioner, integrating contact improvisation and movement studies into both her creative process and teaching. A mother and dedicated maker, Nayana handcrafts most of her own masks, props, and costumes—adding a tactile, personal artistry to every performance.
Nayana Fielkov is an artist of rare vision—Her continually evolving work invites audiences into profoundly imaginative worlds, offering laughter, insight, mystery, and connection.
“Nayana Fielkov is… immensely charming.”
– Colin Thomas, Georgia Straight
“Nayana Fielkov shows off an impressive range of skills.”
– CBC
“A chance to see an expert clown at work.”
– Liz Nichols (edmonton journal)
★★★★★
“she’s a knockabout comic with a face of silly putty”
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Gig City
“An extraordinary blend of mime and magic”
★★★★★
-Global News
“overwhelming wonder and awe.”
★★★★★
-Edmonton Journal