AUTHOR/DRAMATURG ARTIST
AUTHOR / DRAMATURG
Professional Bio – Dr. Iva Paneva
Dr. Iva Paneva is a theater educator, author, playwright, and interdisciplinary artist whose work bridges the worlds of performance, education, and screen media. With a distinctive voice in children’s theater and drama-based pedagogy, she designs and directs interactive performances that support emotional development, creativity, and social inclusion among young audiences.
Dr. Paneva holds a PhD in Performing Arts and Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Film and Television. Her academic and creative pursuits reflect a deep commitment to using storytelling—both live and on screen—as a catalyst for empowerment, reflection, and connection. As a playwright and published author, her works explore themes of identity, trauma, resilience, and the imagination of childhood, often rooted in socially engaged contexts.
2025 - Dangerous Rollercoster - (Author & Director)
2023 - SOS Black Sea (Author & Director)
2022 - Eco Dreams (Author&Director&Actor)
2021 - Doppelganger Dreams (Author& Director)
2020 - # Fake Theater/ False World (Author&Director)
A play about the dangers of drugs and how addiction can destroy a family. The struggles of parents with an addict child.
2019 - Unicorn (Author and Director: Iva Paneva) - Theater "Our World"- a multimedia performance about bullying and aggressive behaviour.
2019 - Little I am Me / Das Kleine Ich-bin-Ich (Author: Mira Lobe; Adaptation & Script & Director: Iva Paneva) Staged for the first time in Bulgaria, the famous Austrian story presents concepts such identity, intercultural dialogue, tolerance and accepting 'the other' through child friendly and accessible means.
2016 - Deadly Sins (by Felix Mitterer; Adaptation & Director: Iva Paneva) The play interweaves issues of integration of refugees and immigration in Europe, family dysfunctional dynamics all presented in a tragicomic interpretation and absurdity.
2016 - Cosmic Story - Adaptation as One Man show of "Juji in Space" (Dramaturg & Director: Iva Paneva)
2013 - Juji in Space (Dramaturg & Director: Iva Paneva)
PERFORMING ARTIST
Dr. Iva Paneva has an extensive experience in the audiovisual sector, having worked for several years in South Africa in film production, script development, and educational media. This international background continues to inform her multidisciplinary approach and global perspective in both her theater and academic work.
Dr. Paneva regularly collaborates with schools, NGOs, and cultural organizations across Europe and beyond to develop arts-based programs that blend performance, education, and social impact. She also publishes and lectures on topics such as drama therapy, creative pedagogy, and the role of the arts in community engagement.
Whether on stage, in a classroom, or behind the camera, Dr. Paneva is driven by a passion for stories that inspire growth, empathy, and transformation.
2019/2016 - "Stolen Life"- Actress. TV series directed by Alexander Kosev.
2017 - "Mr. Clinker ” (Author, Director & Actress: Iva Paneva) Educational interactive show about the garbage road - Devnya Cement Museum.
2015 - Multidisciplinary performance "Я" ("Ya") (Bulgaria, Japan) (Director, Author of the project & Performance artist: Iva Paneva.) "Ya" is a performance produced by the Association "Our World" with the financial support of the Japanese Foundation, Performing Arts Japan Program for Europe (PAJ Europe)
2014 - "The Judgement" - Actress. Movie directed by Komandarev.
2010 - "Angels of Stealth", World Exhibition of Arts, South Africa.
2009 - "Editor", Videonale, Museum of Contemporary Art, Bonn, Germany (solo performance)
2008/2009 - "Villa Rosa" - Actress. TV series in South Africa. Directed by Andries Van Der Merwe
2003 - "From Berlin to Broadway" - Actress. Musical, directed by Malcolm Perky, South Africa
2000 - "The Fire of Love" - Actress. Directed by Professor Snezhina Tankovska, NATFA "Krastyo Sarafov"
1999 - "Duck Variations" by David Mamet- Actress. Directed by Prof. Snezhina Tankovska.
