Valia Blesiou

Valia Blesiou is an actress, theatre educator and experienced professional in working with children, with a career spanning more than two decades across the performing arts and education.

Since 2000, she has worked professionally as an actress and assistant director in theatre, gaining extensive insight into the creative, organisational and collaborative demands of a production environment. Her experience in the performing arts enables her to understand the needs of directors, actors and production teams, while her background in education has given her a strong understanding of children's development, communication and wellbeing.

For 15 years, Valia worked as a founding member of Paichnidagogeio (Παιχνιδαγωγείο), a preschool education centre, working with children aged 2–6 as a theatre educator and lead educator. She was responsible for a group of children, as well as for the educational planning and overall pedagogical operation of the school. This long-term experience involved close collaboration with children, parents and colleagues and required a high level of responsibility, organisation, communication, discretion and sensitivity to the individual needs of each child.

Her professional and academic background combines theatre, creative education and child development. She initially studied in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens before turning to the performing arts. She is a graduate of the Giorgos Kimoulis Drama School and completed two years of study at ANIMA – Educational Workshop for Artistic & Creative Education.

She has also participated in the Erasmus programme “Wellbeing at kinder”.

Her educational approach integrates experiential and creative play with theatre. Alongside her work in early years education, she has facilitated and provided theatrical direction for amateur, youth and student groups, including the Panteion University Theatre Group.

Her artistic work includes independent theatre groups such as Υπό το Μηδέν and Τσούκου Τσούκου, participation in the Δε Variete productions at The HUB Events, and an acting role in the short film Ο Μανώλης, written and directed by Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos.

As a vocalist and performer with String Theory, under the artistic direction of composer Giorgos Paterakis, she participated in The D.E.A.T.H. Project. Created in collaboration with astrophysicist Manos Danezis, the production brought together music, science, philosophy and theatrical storytelling.

Recognising the particular responsibilities involved in working with children within entertainment environments, Valia has undertaken specialised training in child safeguarding. Her training includes NSPCC courses in Protecting Children in the Entertainment Industry Law and Understanding, Responding to and Preventing Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Children, as well as Children's Regulations Training (PART). She also holds certifications in First Aid and Mental Health First Aid for Children.

This combination of professional experience allows Valia to bridge the creative and practical demands of a production with the particular needs and safeguarding requirements of young performers. She is able to communicate effectively with children, parents and production teams while maintaining a calm, organised and supportive presence in a fast-paced production environment.

Valia is particularly interested in opportunities as a Youth Coordinator / Child Actor Coordinator, supporting young performers and contributing to a safe, well-organised and positive experience throughout film, television and theatre productions.