Bio
Born in 1983 in Jerusalem, Israel, Yael was trained primarily as a classical singer and went on to study theatre design in London. She began developing her unique theatrical language at the School of Visual Theatre in Jerusalem, where she specialized in directing, puppetry and design, and graduated with excellence.
Since 2006, Yael has been creating independent theatre works and performs at leading international festivals throughout Europe, the United States, South America and the Far East.
Yael’s theatrical language is based on a multidisciplinary approach, combining different forms of theatre, puppetry, visual art and music.
Yael’s solo performance PAPER CUT, is currently on an extensive tour around the globe. The show has won several international awards and has toured in over 30 international festivals, such as the International Festival for Puppets in Charleville-Mézières, Schaubude, Berlin and Festival of Wonder, Silkeborg, The theater boat of the Forman Brothers in Prague, and many others.
THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE, co-created with Yaara Goldring and produced by the HaZira Performance Art Arena, is a musical cabaret for actresses, dolls and objects, depicting the story of three sisters in hiding during World War II. The international premiere was held in 2012 at Théâtre de la Cité, Paris, at the Festival Scènes ouvertes à l’insolite.The show continues to receive raving acclaim from audiences, and future invitations for touring.
The solo production HOW LOVELY has performed in festivals such as the International Festival for Puppets in Charleville-Mézières (2009), the Avignon Festival and many more.
Alongside her theatrical work, Yael has an INTERNATIONAL SINGING CAREER.
Her varied repertoire ranges from medieval and classical music to jazz, from small intimate performances to audiences reaching thousands. Currently, Yael is touring her GRAMOPHONE SHOW, a musical performance of eloquence talent and spice, taking the audience back to the songs of the 1920s to 1940s.
Yael has received numerous AWARDS AND PRIZES, among which are the Award for Best Artistic Conception and REALIZATION AT THE INTERNATIONAL ADULT PUPPET FESTIVAL OF PECS, HUNGARY (2010), diploma of distinction from UNIMA, the WORLD PUPPETRY ORGANIZATION (2010); GRAND PRIX AWARD AT THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL FOR SOLO PUPPETEERS IN LODZ, POLAND (2011); and EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR A SOLO SHOW AT THE NY INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL (2011). Yael has been nominated for the INSTITUT INTERNATIONAL DE LA MARIONNETTE AWARD FOR CREATION/EXPERIMENTATION, along with four other leading young companies from Germany and France.
Yael often gives WORKSHOPS for adult puppetry and object theatre, combining the use of the singing voice, as well as lectures about this field in the contemporary scene, and her own artistic creation and path. She has been invited to teach and lecture at institutions such as NY University, Muhlenberg College, UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal), DAMU (Academy of Performing Arts in Prague).