ABOUT US
We first ventured into the world of Theatre In Education in 1998 when we began working with the Irish company French Theatre for Schools. For over a decade, Xavier Hock performed as a native French speaker for this company while Christine Béziat organised their tours throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland.
After seeing the phenomenal success of these plays in Irish schools the desire to take this kind of performance to France and Belgium was born. In 2007, Xavier and Christine created the Emerald Isle Theatre Company (EITC) and their first tour on the continent hit the road with performances in Brussels, Wallonia and the South of France.
Since 2010, the EITC has performed all over France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain and Italy. Now creating and performing under the new name of Pickles by EITC,
we still love sharing our passion for theatre and language with our main message: learning is fun.
PRODUCTION TEAM
XAVIER HOCK
Artistic Director – Writer
XAVIER HOCK • Artistic director - Writer
Co-founder of Pickles by EITC with Christine Beziat.
Trained social worker (Cardijn, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium).
After having travelled all across Ireland from 1998 to 2008 as an actor in school tours for students learning French, Xavier decided to share his knowledge and experience on the continent. And so, as a writer and director, he now creates english speaking shows for students learning english as a foreign language.
“In my role as a director, it’s a joy to be able to follow our teams of actors daily, having pushed them so hard during the rehearsals :) and what a joy it is to see your reactions, our dear audience! What else? Oh yes, I love a good beer, perfectly chilled, after a long day of walking or snowboarding. I also love swimming in ice cold water (from the beaches of Donegal to the Saint Lawrence river) but, some things that I can’t stand are flat tyres, sweetbread (even if they are nothing alike, I still don’t like them) and not being able to control the situation.
Dreams, I’ve got plenty… but I never remember them when I wake up in the morning.”
CHRISTINE BÉZIAT
Tour coordinator – Writer
CHRISTINE BÉZIAT • Tour coordinator - Writer
Co-founder of Pickles by EITC with Xavier Hock.
Trained trilingual secretary assistant (Ozenne, Toulouse, France)
She’s the one who organises the tour’s planning for our actors, an impossible puzzle that only she knows the answer to. She’s in charge of the tour, our communication…
Originally from Toulouse, Christine lived in Dublin between 2002 and 2009. She’s worked in banks, as a riding teacher before finally dipping her toe into the world of Theatre in Education. Her first experience was with FTFS and then in 2008, she created Pickles by EITC with Xavier.
“My dream would be to travel the world and to be able to speak multiple rare languages. I love the sun, a Bach prelude, a galop in a field, Ludwig von 88, a good book, time with friends, blueberries… Injustice drives me mad, disrespect makes my hair stand on end and as for meat, I’ve been disgusted by it forever.”
CAROLINE DEFOURNY
Administration – Communication
Caroline Defourny - Administration - Communication
MÓNICA DA SILVA GUEDES
Administration – Accountancy
Mónica da Silva Guedes - Administration - Accountancy
ARNAUD CRAMOISAN
Artistic Director – Writer
ARNAUD CRAMOISAN • Director - Writer
I love it when a plan comes together. I love packing my back, it’s always the promise of new adventures, new encounters. I love Monty Python and a cold beer, even if these two have nothing to do with each other.
I hate the smell of body spray in a rehearsal room, “endives cuites” and I hate it when actors ask me “what’s that?” when talking about “endives cuites” it’s impossible to translate!! Try and see what happens, all you need is a native english speaker and a plate of “endives cuites”. Let it rest for 5 minutes and serve hot.
My dream: To travel the world on skates. Or without.
MOLLIE
KEANE
Facilitator – Acting coach – Assistant director
MOLLIE KEANE • Facilitator - Acting coach - Assistant director
Starting my journey in the East of London in a place known as Walthamstow, passing by East 15 acting school, across Europe and ending up in Paris where I now live, I have always loved the way that theatre crosses borders. Whether that be through language, culture, class or generation. Theatre has a power like no other. And that is what I love about working with Pickles, they explore this power to its full extent!
Having worked with Pickles at 21 as an actress, I have now been working with and training the new actors since 2016. Here’s to more adventures!
LOÏC
PETIT
Artistic Director – Writer
LOÏC PETIT • Artistic director - Writer
An actor at heart, I loved the idea of hitting the road and showing our beautiful country to our Irish friends.
To go on an adventure together, for better or for worse. And so we happily shout at the cars in front of us that aren’t moving, we sing old classics that come on the radio and we let ourselves be swept away by the countryside that passes beside us. Well… we do all that when we’re not late, otherwise, we race down the motorway!
Along with all that, I love old french films and playing cards, but I don’t tell the actors that when we play poker and the winner gets to choose the time when they can use the bathroom!
I made a deal with the actors, they teach me the secrets of Shakespeare and I reveal the wonders of Molière to them. And who knows, maybe one day it’ll be me hitting Irish roads to share a bit of French culture with the Irish.
CHARLENRY TRICOIRE
Artistic Director
CHARLENRY TRICOIRE • Artistic director
French actor for the last 10 years, I’ve already traveled almost all the french roads, from north to south and east to west but always for shows in french.
From now on I would like to expand my career internationally. Thus, the idea of practicing the English language on a daily basis with the PICKLES Company immediately appealed to me.
I am always eager to live new experiences and I am looking forward to being on the road with these young English speaking native actors.
MARTIN MAGUIRE
Casting Director
MARTIN MAGUIRE • Casting Director
Martin Maguire is a leading Irish playwright and actor. He has taught for the Gaiety School of Acting since 1995. As an actor he has worked in most of Ireland’s main theatres as well as on film and television productions broadcast nationally and internationally. He has written extensively for stage, television and radio as well as directing several theatre productions in Ireland and abroad.
TOUR MANAGERS
FRANÇOIS JAULIN
Tour manager
FRANÇOIS JAULIN • Tour manager
Actor, director… and now Tour manager… meeting Pickles is very important in my career…
Accompanying the actors, setting up the stage technically and resolving last minute problems is a stimulating and fulfilling job…
Now, I am no stranger to the Belgian and French roads… nor am I a stranger to all their different beers…
LEA HOSTACHY
Tour manager
LEA HOSTACHY • Tour manager
French actor for the last 10 years, I’ve already traveled almost all the French roads, from north to south and east to west but always for shows in French.
From now on I would like to expand my career internationally. Thus, the idea of practicing the English language on a daily basis with the PICKLES Company immediately appealed to me.
I am always eager to live new experiences and I am looking forward to being on the road with these young English speaking native actors.
MARION BRUYERE
Tour manager
MARION BRUYERE • Tour manager
French actor for the last 10 years, I’ve already traveled almost all the French roads, from north to south and east to west but always for shows in French.
From now on I would like to expand my career internationally. Thus, the idea of practicing the English language on a daily basis with the PICKLES Company immediately appealed to me.
I am always eager to live new experiences and I am looking forward to being on the road with these young English speaking native actors.
NICOLAS BEAUDRY
Tour manager
NICOLAS BEAUDRY • Tour manager
Hi, my name’s Nicolas I’m a tour manager from Paris, I’ve been on the road for different shows as stagehands / stage manager since 2013.
I love meeting new people and cultures, practicing languages so Pickles is a great opportunity for me.
As a beekeeper in my spare time, I’m very close to nature.
CHARLENRY TRICOIRE
Tour Manager
CHARLENRY TRICOIRE • Tour manager
French actor for the last 10 years, I’ve already traveled almost all the french roads, from north to south and east to west but always for shows in french.
From now on I would like to expand my career internationally. Thus, the idea of practicing the English language on a daily basis with the PICKLES Company immediately appealed to me.
I am always eager to live new experiences and I am looking forward to being on the road with these young English speaking native actors.
LUCILE RICHEM
Tour Manager
LUCILE RICHEM • Tour Manager
I’m delighted to get to know and accompany new actors in the Pickles adventure!
I myself am a circus performer, physical theater actress and stage manager. So.. let’s hit the road together !
REMI FAY
Tour Manager
Rémi Fay • Tour Manager
ACTORS
Sara PAULAMÄKI
Actress
Sara PAULAMÄKI
Hi! I’m Sara, a Finnish actress born and raised in Belgium. I am beyond excited to be joining Pickles!
I found my love of acting through joining an amateur musical theatre group at age 16. I went on to study acting at Institute of the Arts Barcelona in Spain, and Bow Street Academy in Ireland.
This will be my first time touring. Acting and traveling are two of my favorite things, and getting to do them at the same time is a real dream of mine.
Having worked mostly in film, I cannot wait to get back on stage, as theatre will always be my first love. I hope we can inspire students to learn more about themselves through acting, and most importantly, to have fun!
Nathalie PARENT
Actress
Nathalie PARENT
Hi there! I’m Nathalie, an actress and generally creative human who proudly hails from beautiful Saskatchewan, Canada. After earning a Bachelor of Music in 2020 and studying poetry part-time, I moved to Belfast, Northern Ireland and studied theatre at the Lyric Theatre’s Drama Studio.
I believe that art is an integral tool for connecting people, building community, and having fun! I’m so excited to be part of the Pickles team, sharing language and theatre with my fellow actors and our young audiences.
Diego MURILLO
Actor
Diego MURILLO
Diego Murillo is an American Actor from the distant faraway land of New Jersey.
After taking part in his first play at the age of 12, he decided this is what he wanted to do with his life! He graduated from Shenandoah University with his BFA in Acting in 2023, and has since been taking part in National Tours for an American touring theater company. When he’s not acting, you can find him hiking in the forest, practicing guitar, or learning languages.
He is absolutely ecstatic to be taking part in his first European tour, and looks forward to performing near you!
Karina SHORT
Actress
Karina SHORT
Karina is an American actress who was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Conservatory of Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.
Karina has never been out of the country and is excited to put her passport to good use and begin working with The Pickles Company. When she isn’t traveling for performances, she spends most of her time with her dog, Friday the 13th or relaxing with a good puzzle!
Lou RASSE
Actress
LOU RASSE
Lou is a Belgian-American actor, theatre maker, and poet who has been performing since seeing a production of The Wizard of Oz at the age of three. Lou currently lives in Brooklyn and is a recent graduate of the Acting BFA at Emerson College where she studied Action Theatre, Linklater technique, and devising, among other things.
As both a native French and English speaker, Lou could not be more excited to spend the next few months bringing theatre to students across France and Belgium. When not acting or creating theatre, you can find Lou riding her bike, cooking, and spending time with her two cats, Jo and Goose. See you on tour!
Isabella FOX
Actress
Isabella FOX
Isabella is originally from Oregon, but currently resides in Minnesota where she graduated with her BFA in Acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has been involved with the theatre since her primary years and is thrilled to be able to make something she loves into a career.
Traveling is her second love and having the opportunity to travel the world while performing theatre with Pickles by EITC will be something she is forever grateful for. In her free time on tour she hopes to eat as much as possible and experience everything each town has to offer!
Nicole RODGERS
Actress
Nicole RODGERS
Hello! My name is Nicole, and I’ve been involved with theater for over 18 years now. I currently live in Northern New Jersey, but have an insatiable need to travel and explore the world, so being a part of Pickles is a dream come true. This is my second tour with the company and I could not be more excited to continue.
Though theater will always have a special place in my heart, I attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City for film and on-camera work and have been setting my sights towards film lately. You might be able to find my most recent film, Alien Weekend, on Amazon Prime. In my downtime, you can find me cooking, painting, or generally just being out in nature. I hope to see you on tour! Let the adventure begin.
Christina KULOW
Actress
Christina KULOW
The witty blonde badass from Boston, Massachusetts. This Scorpio is an avid stage combatant with a collection of eight swords that grows constantly. Christina has always been the fashionista of her family; she is just as much a costume designer as she is a performer, and works professionally in both departments as often as she can. Known as “Tina” to those closest to her, Christina can usually be found at a Renaissance Faire, working as a writing tutor, or putting the finishing touches on a new sketch or painting.
Joe BURKE
Actor
Joe BURKE
Hi! My name’s James and I’m a British actor, writer and theatremaker from Salisbury, Wiltshire, but currently living in Glasgow. I love theatre performance, but I also love travelling around, meeting new people, practicing languages and learning from/teaching others, so Pickles is the perfect place! If you catch me on my downtime, I’ll probably be enjoying the great outdoors.
Seraphine “SISSI” Terryberry
Actress
Seraphine (Sissi for short) is an actor out of Chicago and is beyond excited to be joining the Pickles Company!
Whether it be theater, film, backstage, onstage, Sissi loves to make fun things with fun people! Her background in theater and certification at Second City Film School has only intensified this passion (which she exercises by making her own comedy content and teaching adults and kids at Second City Chicago).
Sissi can’t wait for this next adventurous chapter in her career!
Artemis MATARAGKA
Actress
Artemis Mataragka
Artemis is a Greek actress from Athens. She graduated in 2024 from Midlands Academy of Musical Theatre in Birmingham, UK.
In her 21 years, she has traveled Europe a lot and lived in four of its cities, but never in France or Belgium. She is really excited to combine the two things she loves the most by joining Pickles by EITC and start an adventure in new, unexplored countries. When not performing, she is hoping to find time to knit and try the local food.
Luke MCGUIRE
Actor
Luke MCGUIRE
Luke McGuire is a British actor based in London. Growing up with a passion for the stage, he first gained experience performing at his local theatre company, the Bromley Little Theatre. During his time there, he took part in productions such as Joe Ortans Loot and James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter. He furthered his career by studying Drama at the University of Winchester, during which he spent a semester studying American theatre at Shenandoah University, Virginia. This is Luke’s first tour with Pickles and he is excited to get on the road and start his adventure!
Abigail KAYE
Actress
Abigail KAYE
Hi I’m Abby and I could not be more excited and thrilled to join the pickles tour! I’m an American
actor originally from the Maine/New England area, where I attended the University of New
Hampshire double majoring in musical theater and psychology. Theater and education are two
of my biggest passions and I cannot wait to share that fervor in new amazing places with new
amazing people!
See you on tour!!!
Alexander BARLOW
Actor
Alexander BARLOW
“Hello there! My name is Alexander Barlow (but everyone calls me Alex), and I am an actor based in the United Kingdom! I studied Performing Arts for 8 years finishing my studies at Leeds Beckett University. I love theatre and performing and everything it has to offer; from practicing new styles of theatre practitioners to being backstage and helping out with the crew, getting to grips on what goes on behind the scenes. I also love to write and direct my own work; this is for both stage and screen. I love travelling to new places and meeting new people who also love this world. This is going to be a great adventure that I can’t wait to begin!”
Brady MADSEN
Actor
Brady MADSEN
Brady Madsen is a Canadian theatre artist. He received a BFA in Acting from the University of Windsor. Since then, his work has taken him across Canada and Italy as an actor, director, educator, writer, and producer. He is thrilled to be joining the Pickles team.
Annie WILLIAMS
Actress
annie
Annie Williams is a musical theatre performer, ballet teacher and singer-songwriter from Cape Town, South Africa.
She studied for 4 years at the Waterfront Theatre School and has then gone on to perform in musicals such as “Pippin”, “Our House”, “Calling Us Home” and “Annie”.
Annie has recently moved to London and is very excited to start her first acting gig in Europe with Pickles!
Our plays have been specially created for pupils learning English as a foreign language. The actors speak clearly and the plays are written to include a lot of repetition to make it easy for students to understand what is happening.
For each show we create a few small roles for students to perform. There are also other moments of interaction during the play that the whole audience can take part in. Language level isn’t a block for students to participate.
Each workshop is an exploration led by native English-speaking actors and fuelled by the dynamics of the group: exploration is encouraged, the language barrier is broken and everything becomes a reason to play and to improvise. Pure fun!