Next generation program
Next Generation Residency 2026 in Mongolia (Part of the Wanderlust in Asia Festival)
Next Generation Residency Mongolia 2026 Next Generation Residency Mongolia is a 10-day creative residency held during the Wanderlust Mongolia Festival in Orkhon and Bulgan Provinces.
Throughout the residency, the festival will travel to different villages, bringing live performances to children and communities who may be experiencing theatre for the very first time. While the festival introduces theatre to local young audiences, NGR Mongolia 2026 participants will join the tour to research, collaborate, and develop innovative ideas that explore climate change and sustainable living through theatre for young audiences.
This edition marks an exciting milestone: for the first time, the residency will bring together international cohorts and Mongolian artists, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and creative exchange.
The 2026 Residency Participants
Huge Sillytoe (Facililator)
Country: UK
Huge Sillytoe (AKA Dr Hugh Sillitoe) is a transdisciplinary artist and researcher whose work has been labelled by different people in different moments as performance/live art, experimental theatre, relational art, artivism, eco-art, sound art, textile art, music, poetry, and art-as-research.
Afina Yanur
Country: Indonesia
Afina Yanur, also known as Kak Pinut, is a community activist and educator from Jombang who is passionate about children’s learning and creative expression. She is one of the founders of Rumah Merdeka Indonesia, a community space that encourages education, art, and social collaboration.
Anjan Pradeep
Country : Nepal
Anjan Pradeep is a young poet, playwright, and theatre director based in Chitwan, originally from Nawalparasi. With a background in Sanskrit literature, he graduated from Mandala Drama School as part of its first batch and has since been actively engaged in theatre performance and education within communities.
Chu Thi Thanh Huong
Country : Vietnam
Chu Thi Thanh Huong (Hyang Chu) is a contemporary puppet artist based in Vietnam and the founder of Slou Puppet. For over eight years, she has explored the playful potential of puppetry beyond the stage, weaving traditional and contemporary elements to tell stories drawn from life while supporting therapeutic practice.
Kylie Fletcher
Country : United States
Kylie is a teaching artist from Boston who specializes in devising new works for very young audiences. Her work is inspired by found objects and amplifying the innate creativity of young people.
Kelly Gilbride
Country : New Zealand
Kelly Gilbride is an award-winning creative producer, writer and director in theatre, podcast and film. She is a trained puppeteer and a graduate from drama school.
Leah Sanginiti
Country : USA
Leah Sanginiti is a director and multidisciplinary artist from California whose works have premiered across the United States and Asia. She specializes in script development, devising, and performance with artists of all ages.
Mukendi
Country : Congo
Mukendi Misenga Christine is a Congolese theatre maker and performer based in Nairobi, and the founder of BISO Learning, an arts organization that engages children and young people through theatre, storytelling, and circus, especially in underserved communities.
Nicole Pingon
Country : Australia
Nicole Pingon is a multidisciplinary artist, theatre maker and artist facilitator working across live performance, installation and digital mediums. Nicole’s practice is collaborative and process-driven, with a focus on new work and cross-cultural storytelling.
Janchiv
Country: Mongolia
Janchiv graduated from the University of Culture and Arts with a degree in directing. He is currently working as a drama director and actor at the Khan Khentii Ensemble in Khentii Province. In addition, he is actively engaged in creating artistic works such as dramas, children’s plays, circus performances, stage concerts, shows, and outdoor equestrian circus productions.
Anujin
Country: Mongolia
Anujin is a stage and screen actress who works at the Children and Youth Theatre. She mainly works on productions aimed at children and young audiences.
Ganselem
Country: Mongolia
Ganselem graduated in 2020 from the School of Theatre Arts at the University of Culture and Arts with a degree in stage and screen acting, and is currently working at the Orkhon Province Children and Youth Theatre, which is distinguished by creating works for audiences of all ages. He has performed in children’s concerts, puppet plays, productions for teenagers and adults, as well as in award-winning works. In addition, Ganselem has participated in screen productions, taking on supporting roles.
Minjinsor
Country: Mongolia
Minjinsor graduated from the School of Arts at City University with a degree in acting. She currently works as an actress at the Puppet Theatre of Mongolia and Pro Theatre. She has mostly worked in stage productions. She participated in the 24th UNIMA International Puppet Festival together with artists from Mongolia and Korea.
Tsevelmaa
Country: Mongolia
Tsevelmaa Enkhbaatar is a fourth‑year student at the School of Theatre Arts of the Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture, majoring in acting. Since beginning her studies, she has participated in children’s plays and diploma productions, and has also worked backstage on Orpheus Theatre’s production Midnight Dance. During her studies, she challenged herself in many competitions and successfully took part in the Next Generation Mongolia program, graduating in 2023
Narankhuu
Country: Mongolia
Altanhuyag Naranhuu is an actress at the Bulgan Province Musical Drama Theatre, named after State Honored Artist and Laureate Director N. Naranbaatar. She graduated from the School of Theatre Arts at the University of Culture and Arts with a degree in Acting. Professionally, she has mainly worked on productions aimed at children, and she continues to deepen her studies and accumulate knowledge in this field. Through her creative work, she seeks to support children’s thinking, development, and creativity, to enlighten them about real life, to nurture artistic sensitivity, and to promote awareness of theatre arts.