Dr. Almiro Andrade is a Black Queer Latinx theatre-maker whose work powerfully interweaves activism, translation, and storytelling. As an actor, director, playwright, dramaturg, and translator, their practice centres on theatre as a site of transformation and resistance, with a special gaze towards Black and queer narratives. A Lecturer in Contemporary Acting and Dramaturgy at the University of the Arts London, Almiro’s work spans international stages, including Namibia, Não! (Soho Theatre), The Trial (StoneCrabs), and The Blind One and The Mad One (Foreign Affairs Theatre). They co-edited Nelson Rodrigues: Selected Plays (Bloomsbury/Oberon, 2019) and are currently collaborating with the Royal Court Theatre on the first Call Out for Lusophone playwrights. A committed activist and artistic associate with groups like Out of the Wings, Migrants in Theatre, and Brazil Diversity, their practice explores Forum Boal Theatre, psychodrama, voice, and storytelling as tools for liberation and intersectional expression.

Fernanda Mandagará is a Latinx queer theatre-maker, actress, cabaret artist, and playwright with over 20 years of experience blending performance, activism, and humour. Trained in Brazil and the UK, her work explores theatre as a political and transformative tool, particularly through the lens of Latin American and diasporic identities. She has developed a bold voice in queer cabaret, burlesque, and drag, performing as her alter ego Lola del Fuego in venues such as the Royal Vauxhall Tavern and The Glory. Her signature act, Miss Visa Denied, satirises immigration systems with irreverent humour and drag spectacle. Her original theatre pieces Tropicalia Island and Invisible Museum tackle racism, bigotry, and class invisibility through surreal and comic theatrical language. A Creative Leader at LatinX Youth Theatre, she mentors and co-creates with emerging performers. Mandagará’s work reclaims space for Latinx voices through unapologetic storytelling, radical joy, and a fierce commitment to social justice.

Manuela Benini is a multicultural artist whose work bridges performance, activism, and public engagement. As an artistic director, performer, and environmental activist, she crafts transformative outdoor arts experiences rooted in co-creation and community. With over 20 years of experience, she has led major public celebrations—including Hackney Carnival and Hi!Street Fest (Emergency Exit Arts & Historic England)—developing vibrant carnivals and street events across the UK. Her multicultural background informs a deeply inclusive approach to performance-making. Touring widely as a choreographer and dancer, her signature piece The Red Dress Project uses dance and visual storytelling to confront climate collapse and human rights violations in the very places they occur. At the core of her practice is an activist commitment to visibility, social justice, and embodied expression. Her specialisms include carnival, creative labs, processional performance, dance, and visual arts as tools for radical cultural dialogue.