The Belgian company La Grande Lézarde emerged in 2019 with a strong motivation to blend clowning, physical theater, magic, object manipulation, and music in an artistic-artisanal approach.

Its new show, “Grandes Illusions,” offers a moment of escape from reality, nourishing the emotional being of the audience by presenting radiance of human beauty and fragility. It was created by the company’s founder, Miriam Vender.

Of Italian origin, Miriam began her journey into the world of clowning by encountering a series of teachers from all over the globe. In Italy, she acquired the basics from masters such as Jean Menningault, Pierre Byland, Leris Colombaioni, Emmanuel Lavallée, and Rita Pelusio. She then continued her journey in Belgium, crossing paths with Micheline Vandepoel, Carina Bonan, Tom Roos, Lory Leshi, Christophe Thellier, and Stephane Filloque. Next, she headed to Spain to explore the clowning universe with Eric de Bont and Virginia Imaz. In Luxembourg, she met Herve Langlois, and in France, she was inspired by the teachings of Emmanuel Sambeley and Fanny Giraud. Subsequently, her path led her to the International School of Comedic Acting SIAC in Reggio Emilia (Italy), and the “Escuela internacional de teatro Berti Tovias” in Barcelona (Spain).

Miriam has also enthusiastically explored a multitude of dances and body movement techniques for over 25 years.

Today, she also practices the chromatic accordion and singing.