Nayana Fielkov is a critically acclaimed performing artist, theatre-maker,
and educator who is dedicated to the work 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, Nayana creates performances that invite audiences into surreal, heart-forward
worlds.
Her work has been presented internationally at renowned festivals and venues
including the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival (Vancouver), Edam Dance (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 Presto!, 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.
Nayana has developed original work through
international residencies at Tanzzentrale (Germany), The Capitol
Theatre (Nelson), ArtSpring Theatre (Salt Spring Island), The Lookout-Arts Quarry, (Bellingham) The Massey
Theatre (New Westminster), and more. Many of which, with the support
of the Canada Council or BC Arts Council.
She is a founding member of The clown troupes The Poupon Parade and The Dusty
Flowerpot Cabaret, and sits on the board of James and jamesy theatre society.
Nayana 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. She has also worked as a healthcare clown with the Mirth Unit at BC children's hospital.
As an educator, she has taught clown for performance and personal
transformation for over 10 years, fostering an international community of
adult and youth students and collaborators. Her teaching is an ever growing and engaged process of discovery. She is committed to the studies and growth that come from the process of the work.
Nayana is a trained and dedicated somatic practitioner, integrating contact improvisation
and movement studies into both her creative process and teaching.
Nayana handcrafts most of her own
masks, props, and costumes.
She is a proud mom of a 16 year old boy.
“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”
Gig City
“An extraordinary blend of mime and magic”
★★★★★
-Global News
“It’s the perfect mix of magic, physical comedy and
charm.”
“overwhelming wonder and awe.”
★★★★★
-Edmonton Journal