Caroline Benamza

Caroline Benamza is a French art therapist, stage manager, director and translator.

Her full names are Myriam Caroline Benamza and she is sometimes listed as Myriam Benamza, particularly as therapist.

Biography and training

freelance English-French, translator English-French, languages spoken include English(bilingual), Italian (spoken begginner), Spanish (spoken, fluent) Russian (beginner)

She completed a course in Technical Theatre and Stage Management at RADA, London, in 1996.

Her studies include a BA in Medieval History, (University de Nancy 2, France ; 1991-1992), MA studies in Medieval History (Université de Paris, Sorbonne and University College, London, UK ; 1992-1994), a Diploma in Stage Management and Theatre Production (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, UK; 1994-1996), a BA and MA in Art Therapy, specializing in in dance and drama therapy, (University of Medecine Paris 5, France; 2003-2008)

Career

Career in theatre

Besides more than 10 years experience as a sound and light designer/operator, as a stage manager for companies such as the English National Opera (London), Dear Conjunction Theatre Co (Paris), The Wharehouse Theatre (Croydon), Northern Stage (Newcastle upon Tyne), she has also done the following theatrical work:

1994: Director « The Just» by Albert Camus at the Royal Shakespeare Company festival, Bridewell Theatre London.

1996 : Assitant director« Laughing Wild » directed by Henry Goodman (Bristol Old Vic, Riverside Studios London, Brighton Kommedia Theatre, UK), Assitant costume designer « The secret laughter of women » a film by Peter Swachbach and Assistant stage manager « Animal Farm » directed by Alan Lydiard (Tour : UK, Netherland and Belgium)

1997 : Stage manager« The Hoppickers » a musical directed by Richard Hanson, Mermaid Theatre London

1998-1999 : Stage manager « Don Giovanni » directed by Peter Brook, conducted by Claudio Abbado and Daniel Harding for the International Opera Festival of Aix-en- Provence and on tour (Théâtre de l’Archevêché, Aix-en Provence , Opéra de Lyon, Opéra de la Monnaie in Bruxelles, Royal Opera House in Stockholm, Piccolo Teatro in Milan, Sabuya Opera House in Tokyo)

1999: She became the Artistic director of Amandla Theatre Company, Paris.

Career In therapy

In 2004 she began to work as an arts therapist, and since 2006 has been a dance and drama therapist and psychotherapist at CRIPHASE, the male survivors centre in Montreal,Québec.

In 2010 she opened a private practice and work in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France, at a place called Espace 34 (www.espace34.org).

Her contribution to South African theatre

She translated of two plays by South-African writer Reza de Wet into French (Crossing and My Brothers).

2001: She directed production of An Anthology of South African Poetry, compiled by Denis Hirson, staged in English, French, Creole, Kaaps (a Cape creole) and Afrikaans (2001)

2002-3: She participated in a South-African tour (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Grahamstown) with production work on Crossing and, along with Jean-Guy Lecat, architect and set designer of Peter Brook (2002), offered workshops for South African professionals.