Lotos Collective was established in 2006 through a series of investigative performance works, the first of these being Homebound, a Live Art event devised within an inhabited Georgian house in London’s East End.

Following the success of this event Lotos has continued to develop large scale projects internationally in a variety of non-purpose built spaces, engaging diverse practitioners and audiences, with a focus on the deconstruction and re-synthesis of myth.

Lotos’ work ranges from site-specific projects in London, Naples, Ghana and Beirut to conferences and workshops.

Lotos Collective continues to experiment with and expand the possibilities of Live Art experimental performance through research and practice.

Company Members:

Roberto Sánchez-Camus.................................Artistic Director

Sarah-Jane Blake.................................................Design Director

Oliver James Hymans........................................Education Director

johnmichael rossi.................................................Wordsmith

Ffion Aynsley............................................................Project Manager

info@lotoscollective.org


Member Bios:

Associate Artists:

Geoffrey Hendrix

Alberto Massarese

Katharine Fry

Vali Mahlouji

Jenna Rossi-Camus

Alexa Reid (Co-founder)

Sur Rodney Sur

Ali Dirani

Roberto Sánchez-Camus
Roberto’s work focuses on participation, community, urbanism, politics through a variety of time-based media. He has developed assemblages of creative individuals in Coalition of Creative Artists in 2000, Blank Collective in 2003 and currently Lotos. Along side this he also maintains a solo live artist practice, performing in galleries and other sites both in the UK and Europe. He was awarded a BFA in Visual Arts from School of Visual Arts in New York; an MA Scenography from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London; a PhD in Applied Live Art, researching socially engaged site-responsive performance work. He is currently working on the book publication of Applied Live Art. Roberto has won People’s Choice award for London New Years Parade float 2006, NYC Innovative Theatre Award 2004, OOBR Award Best Production 2003, Cinekink Film Festival Best Video Short 2005. www.camusliveart.net

johnmichael Rossi
johnmichael rossi is a theatre-maker and arts educator. In 2009 he was a recipient of TCG's Future Collaborations travel grant to Lebanon. JM is the former Education Director for Women's Project's Arts Education Program. He is a founder of Brooklyn Theatre Arts High School and Program Coordinator and Resident Teaching Artist for Vital Theatre Company. He has taught at City University of NY, Lincoln Center Institute, Manhattan New Music Project and Brooklyn Arts Council. He is also the founding Artistic Director of newFangled theatReR, for which he has written, directed and produced several new experimental works. JM holds a BA in Theater Studies from Emerson College and an MFA in Directing from City University of NY, Brooklyn. He is currently pursuing a practice-based PhD at The University of Reading. His research is focused on ‘audiencentric’ theatre and post-dramatic performance texts .www.newfangledtheatrer.org

Ffion Aynsley
Ffion has worked as a project manager both in the UK and abroad for theatre and production. She was recently Project Manager for London-based Cardboard Citizens Brigade, running their 2010 Hostels Tour. She is keen to continue her interest in community-based theatre and derives inspiration from both national and international models. With a degree in French and Spanish from University College London, Ffion is interested in theatre that is multi-cultural and transnational. She spent a half year in Buenos Aires, Argentina working at Teatro Colonial and also worked on a community project in Quilmes, Argentina, planning and delivering workshops that explored notions of intercultural exchange through sound and movement .
Oliver James Hymans
Oliver is a theatre practitioner and arts educator interested in making collaborative experimental theatre and exploring the different spaces where performances can happen. He is interested in performative experiences and theatrical encounters through interactivity and audience engagement. Oliver is committed to engaging young people with new forms of performance. He gained qualified teacher status in 2009 through Teach First, and led several design/theatre-based projects for primary and secondary pupils across London. These include: Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships, Eastside Arts and A New Direction working on a variety of projects with school children across London, including ghost audio-walks, new resources for engaging young people with the holocaust and costume design history. Oliver graduated on the Scenography MA from Central Saint Martins in 2006. 

Sarah-Jane Blake
Sarah-Jane Blake is a visual artist, performance designer and sailor. She has designed theatrical events in the UK, New Zealand, Nepal and Italy. Recent work has included a commission from Q theatre in Auckland, New Zealand to device a site-specific performance in an old office building. As a visual artist she is currently represented by Artis in New Zealand and has exhibited her mixed-media artworks in Medcalf Gallery and Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London.  Sarah-Jane’s artwork and performance evokes catastrophe, the end of the world scenarios and man vs. nature; all with a surreal sense of humour. Sarah-Jane studied Drama (BA Hons) at Bristol University followed by postgraduate diploma at the Motley Theatre Design course. Upcoming projects include experimental stop motion animations and an exhibition at the Havant Arts Centre, UK. 
www.sarahjaneblake.co.uk