We create Theatre that connects, inspires and builds community.

Meet the team

Yasemin Collective was formed in 2020 by Natalia Panagiotou, Despina Chrysanthou and Annie Sofocleous, based in Nicosia, Cyprus. Since its creation, the collective uses Theatre as its main tool to create meaningful connections, offering authentic artistic experiences. Through its activities, the team explores issues and projects that concern society, raising questions and opening dialogue with the community.

To date, Yasemin Collective has presented theatre productions including devised theatre, documentary, immersive, circus, clown and stand-up comedy such as: #kazanτί (2020), People of Faneromeni (2021), The New Reality Show (2021), Nat in da House (2021), The Magic Circle (2022), #tombολα (2022), La Patronne (2023), Kiki and Koko go loco (2024). The team strives to actively contribute to the development of the Performing Arts in Cyprus, strengthening relationships between artists and creating space and time that allow the wider public to engage with the Arts. The team's activities focus on both cultural and social levels. In recent years, Yasemin Collective has been leading and facilitating theatre workshops and training programs for diverse groups, aiming at personal and collective development, integration and social change.

Artistic Director, Co-Founder

Natalia Panagiotou

Natalia Panagiotou holds a degree in Performing Arts specialised in Theatre (Université Paul Valéry Montpellier III), a master's degree in Performing Arts – Theatre and Dance (Université Lumière Lyon 2) and she is a graduate of the 'Arts en scène' Drama School (Lyon). In recent years she has been working as an actress, performer, theatre maker and facilitator in France and Cyprus. In her work, she explores playwriting, performing, clowning, stand-up comedy and directing. Alongside her artistic activity, she facilitates theatre and movement workshops for children, youth, adults and elderly with diverse backgrounds in order to create social impact. She is a certified professional training instructor of HRDA for the lifelong learning of adults and she recently became Cultural Ambassador of Deputy Ministry of Culture, starting a new collaboration with schools all over Cyprus.

Creative Associate, Co-Founder

Despina Chrysanthou

Despina Chrysanthou is a graduate of Psychology from Lancaster University and the Drama School of Vladimiros Kafkarides. She has worked in the psychiatric ward of Reading Hospital, NHS England, and holds a diploma in hippotherapy, specializing in training individuals on the autism spectrum. She has also completed Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses in Human Resources (HR). As an actress, she has participated in television series, short films, and theatre productions in Cyprus and England, collaborating with directors such as Maria Karsera, Asterios Peltekis, and Pascal Caron. Since 2012, she has been teaching theatre to children and teenagers, and since 2020, she has worked at the Intervention Centre for Individuals with Autism in Nicosia. She is also the creator and leader of the programs "The Autism Theatre Project" and "Theatricality in Cosplay.”

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Creative Associate, Co-Founder

Annie Sofocleous

Annie Sofocleous holds a BA in Psychology and Management Studies from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. In 2010, she began a four-year theatre training program that uniquely combines experiential theatre with yoga practices. Throughout her career, Annie has participated in intensive training seminars focused on clowning, mime and physical theatre across Cyprus, Mexico, Spain, and Germany. She has also expanded her expertise in Circus Arts, particularly in their use as tools for social change through Social Circus. With a diverse background in performing arts, workshop facilitation, event production and management, Annie brings a rich skill-set to her work. She has also worked in the social welfare sector and since 2024, is a certified HRDA training instructor specializing in lifelong adult education. With over 14 years of continuous practice and training in Hatha Yoga, including asanas, pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation, Annie integrates a holistic approach to her artistic work and teaching.