The 2025 FEST Committee expresses its gratitude to all of our members and supporters who contributed to keeping things moving in the right direction in 2024. Together with your support, energy and motivation, there is a new Committee that welcomes the challenges of 2025. FEST is ready to move forward doing what we do best…Theatre.
The 2025 FEST Committee consists of the following members:
Chair: Hazem Elessawy
Hazem is a born-and-raised Cairene living in Frankfurt. He discovered the world of theatre at the American University in Cairo, where he studied under renowned theatre director and founder of the AUC Theatre Department, Mahmoud El-Louzy, who also gave him his stage debut in 2017. He then became part of the Cairo-based Khoyout Playback Theatre troupe. The experience of seeing refugees moved to tears with the emotional release provided by the troupe’s performances was invaluable to him.
Hazem moved to Frankfurt in 2019 and joined FEST in 2022, although his connection to the group began earlier, in 2020, when he participated in a staged reading of Dinner for Five by Mike Rieple, helping FEST return from the challenges of the pandemic. Since then, Hazem has performed in several FEST productions, including Folly in All its Forms, And Then There Were None, Death of a Salesman, The Cherry Orchard, Old Saybrook, and Pygmalion. Hazem’s role in FEST extends beyond the stage. He co-produced Love Bites: An Evening of One Acts and was Assistant Director for Rabbit Hole in 2024.
Hazem is honoured to continue serving on the committee in 2025 as Chair. He is eager to use his blend of creative and organisational skills to further FEST’s mission and foster a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic theatre community that supports its members in achieving their artistic ambitions. His dedication to FEST is rooted in his belief in its transformative power:
“FEST saved me during the pandemic and helped me build a vibrant life in Frankfurt, much like the one I enjoyed in Cairo. I’m committed to paying that forward by helping FEST grow, thrive, and continue to provide its members with a place to discover, create, and shine on and off the stage.”
Vice Chair: Katja Sassi-Bucsit
Katja is a new member of FEST, having joined when she was cast as Nat in the 2024 production of Rabbit Hole. She previously performed as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Ruth in Table Manners at Beijing Playhouse, where she lived from 2004 to 2020.
With extensive experience in leadership roles at VOK DAMS China, Uniplan, and the German Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, Katja has conceptualized award-winning events and managed nonprofit membership services. She holds degrees in Chinese, Cultural Anthropology, and Dance Movement Therapy, and is completing a certification in Drama and Body Therapy at the Institut für Theatertherapie. She is also launching an event communication agency blending ethnography, performing arts, creative therapies, and event experiences.
Passionate about the therapeutic power of the performing arts, Katja is eager to apply her expertise as FEST’s Vice Chair, focusing on growing membership, enhancing services, and expanding PR and sponsorship outreach. Inspired by FEST’s vibrant, multicultural community, she hopes to contribute to its continued success.
Secretary: Julie Ng
Born in the Philippines, Julie worked as a strategy consultant and internal auditor, traveling the world before settling in Germany with her husband, children, and dogs. She currently works in Accounting and Special Projects for Source For Alpha AG.
Julie’s first audition and stage performance was as Cassandra in FEST’s production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Since catching the theatre bug, she has taken on various backstage roles, including Costumes Manager for The Cherry Orchard and producing Old Saybrook and Rabbit Hole. She also co-produced Gas Light with Alice Thomas and is currently co-producing Pygmalion with Gulmira Jumayeva.
Julie is eager to continue her role as Secretary to keep communication lines up-to-date both internally and externally, while helping bring future FEST productions to life.
Treasurer: Aleksandra Galaganova
Aleksandra joined FEST just over a year ago and immersed herself in its backstage world. After supporting several plays as a makeup artist, she took on roles as an assistant director and stage manager. She has currently been cast in the upcoming production of Pygmalion. Aleksandra’s passion dates back to her high school years, where she gained performance experience and developed a deep love for the performing arts.
Aleksandra is eager to join the Committee to contribute to the growth and development of the theatre and its ability to inspire and unite communities. Leveraging her financial expertise, she is ready to serve as Treasurer, bringing valuable skills in cost efficiency analysis and sponsorship strategies to support the Committee’s goals.
Ordinary Member: Jeanique Rahmlow
Jeanique, born in a suburb of Berlin, joined FEST in 2015 when she rediscovered her passion for performing on stage. What followed were three productions with the group: The Scheme (2015), Dial M for Murder (2015), and Our Country’s Good (2016). These sparked her interest in gaining foundational training in the performing arts and as a result, she took the Acting Part Time course at Rose Bruford College in London.
After her return to Frankfurt she joined the FEST productions of Vanja and Sonia and Masha and Spike (2023) and The Cherry Orchard (2024), as well as several projects with Shakespeare Frankfurt.
She would like to become a part of the FEST committee in order to contribute by helping everyone at FEST feel welcome and empowered to share and develop their talent.