The theater company Wakouwa Teatro was founded in 2014 in Ticino, at the La Fabbrica cultural center in Losone. Originally, the Wakouwas are sympathetic small articulated wooden toys invented by Walther Kourt Walss during the Second World War. It was precisely at La Fabbrica that the woodworking factory was making these toys. 

 

20 years ago La fabbrica has become a cultural center which offers space to various activities such as danse and movement lessons, a music school, a studio of architecture, and a bar. Furthermore La fabbrica is reference point for many artists, for example Compagnie Nicole & MartinI baccalà clownCompagnie Pas-de-deux.


Naïma Bärlocher 

Born in Bern, Switzerland. As a daughter of a dancer and a musician she discovered early on her passion for the dramatic arts. After college studies in Basel, she worked as a movement pedagogue and therapist at various dance schools. In 2012 she finished her studies at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri with a Bachelor of Arts. She was active as an actress in numerous theater projects, such as 400asa and Bobok Theatre, and played with her then clown partner, David Melendy, in the Vorstadt Variété in Schaffhausen. In 2013 she appeared in the piece "Hä", and in 2014 she created the clown duet " Very Little Circus " with her partner Gerardo Tetilla. As a co-founder of Wakouwa Teatro, she creates different shows and works as an actress and clown.



Gerardo Tetilla 

Born in Argentina in 1981. He began his career as a self-taught street artist and performer. At the age of 20 he flew to Europe to tour for 2 years, performing, teaching and perfecting his craft in major European cities. From 2003-2006 he studied at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri, and upon graduation in 2007, clowned for Circus Monti. Starting in 2008 he worked in the renowned Compagnia Dimitri in Versico as Capo Comico and actor. In 2009 created his own company 7 1⁄2, melding theater, circus and clown. In 2010 he appeared in the Performance "Camping Demo", and in 2011 was invited to join Company Roykkuva for the physical rock opera "Girl Girl". Since 2012 he has been performing in the musical "Peter Pan World Arena Tour" under the direction of Luc Petit. Having concluded his master studies in Physical Theatre, he now works as an actor, clown and “oeil extérieur”as a freelancer. 



Sarah Lerch 

grew up in Bern, she studied at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri from 2004-2007. After graduating, she founded her own company and created various dance and theatre productions, including «Mimikry» and «Stück für Stück». In 2009 she moved to the Czech Republic to work with the international company Continuo Theatre, and up until 2011 she performed in all company productions and toured throughout Europe. She also regularly lead workshops and training programmes. In 2011 Sarah Lerch returns to study at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri with the aim of expanding her artistic interests and abilities and receiving her Master degree in 2014. 2014 she co-founds the international company Wakouwa teatro works as actress and dancer and teaches regularly acrobatics and theatre.

www.sarahlerch.ch



Rosario Ilardo

grew up close to Lausanne. He has been living in La fabbrica for more than 15 years, working as caretaker, electrician, theater light designer and all round talent. Rosario is a versatile technician who has assisted various artist (Teatro Dimitri, Gardi Hutter, Kai Leclerc, Compagnie Nicole et Martin, Collettivo Spettatori) in there most perilous and extravagant projects. Coming from an electrician enginery background, Rosario has more than 15 years experience in show business: theatre, circus, dance... A very pragmatic and diplomatic fellow.

 



Maria Grazia Tognetti e Michele Tognetti

owners and founders of La Fabbrica, presidents of Wakouwa Teatro, generous supporters of cultural projects.