Anas Abu Nahleh (Alumnus Beirut) is an artist and co-founder of Studio 8, a dance company based in Amman, Jordan, with which he conducts residencies and performances in the desert around the Dead Sea. He focuses on exploring remote natural sites that increase awareness of the past, present and future. He was selected because of his extensive knowledge about the Jordan cultural scene and in order to strengthen connections between the regions. 

Marina Barham is the co-founder and General Director of Al-Harah Theater, with over two decades of experience as a cultural operator in Palestine, the Middle East, and Europe. She has been a leading figure in numerous cultural initiatives and organizations, advocating for social change through the arts. Her work covers production of theater performances and festivals, international tours, and building capacity of young artists and technical staff in Palestine through artistic residencies for international and local artists. She was selected to take part in the Lab for her extensive knowledge of the region and her capacity to create new collaborations. 

Christina Skarpari (Alumna Nicosia) is the founder and creative director of Xarkis Festival, an international nomadic art festival that tours the mountain villages of Cyprus. As an artistic director, designer-researcher and educator, she works at the confluence of social and communication design. Her work focuses on interdisciplinary and site-specific practice, grounded in socio-ecological curiosity and feminist care. She was selected to support the mission of the Lab to strengthen creative connections across the Mediterranean, expanding AADKs network and contributing bridging collaborative links between Cyprus and Spain.

Hazem Header (Alumnus New York) is an Egyptian contemporary dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of Breaking Walls Festival, the first international festival for site-specific performances in Cairo, and Breaking Walls Dance Film Festival, Egypt's first dance film festival. He is also the founder of the dance company NÜT Dance Company, which encourages volunteers and welcomes a broad spectrum of dance enthusiasts from all age ranges and backgrounds. He was selected for the Lab for his broad knowledge of the region as well as for his current interest to create a South-South showcase with arts managers from the Mediterranean.

Aurelien Zouki (Expert Beirut) is an actor, choreographer and performer. He is co-founder of the performance group Collectif Kahraba and co-director of Nehna wel Amar wel Jiran, a mulitdisciplinary open-air festival organised by Collectif Kahraba. He was selected to take part in the Lab not only for his knowledge of Lebanon’s cultural landscape, but also for his involvement in the co-foundation/management of Hammana Artist House, an artistic residency space. Due to the current situation in Lebanon, he couldn’t join the group in person and participated in the hybrid Lab.

Nima Deghani (Mentor Elefsina) is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and director whose work bridges the intersections of technology, art, and human connection. He is the co-founder of Re-Connect Festival and initiator of The Island project in Turkey. He was selected to join the Lab conversations online because of his involvement as host in the first Lab, his interest in strengthening networks of artistic residencies in the Mediterranean, and for his focus and knowledge of working with artists with mobility restrictions.