WHO WE ARE

Teodor Petelov

Actor and Instructor

Teodor Petelov is an actor, director, and casting director. He lived and worked in New York City and Los Angeles until 2020. In 2011, he co-founded The WhiteListed Theatre Company of New York City, serving as its Artistic Director, actor, and producer. During this time, he also led a mentorship program for professional performing arts producers and conducted intensive acting courses at colleges across Manhattan.

In 2020, he continued his work as a performing arts instructor at The WL Acting Studio in Sofia, where he co-produces performances for children, youth, and adults in both Bulgarian and English. Between 2020 and 2023, Teodor taught acting and rhetoric for European organizations in Austria, France, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, North Macedonia, and others. He leads intensive acting workshops for both emerging artists and professional actors, having developed his own teaching systems for Rhetoric and "Shakespeare Education" in English. He also teaches theater at the Izzi Science School.

Education and Career Highlights

• Education: Graduate of the NATFIZ "Krastyo Sarafov" (National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts), the Atlantic Theater Company Conservatory, and the "Create Your Own Art" producers' program led by Molly Pearson in New York City.

• Notable Projects: In 2011, Teodor invited Sawyer Spielberg and Luka Mjatovic to make their professional stage debuts in The WhiteListed Theatre Company’s production of "Belgrade Trilogy," which gained significant popularity in Manhattan.

• Collaborations: Alongside Kate Hoffman, Teodor assembled a powerful international artistic collective. For six years, the company realized numerous theatrical projects with the support of prominent figures and authors like Dejan Dukovski, as well as cultural organizations such as the Consulate General of Bulgaria in New York and the Goethe-Institut.

• Screen Credits: While primarily a stage artist in Manhattan, Teodor has appeared in the NBC series The Blacklist, The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell (MSNBC), and various short and festival films.

In 2020, he co-founded The WhiteListed Acting Studio in Sofia, continuing his mission to bridge international acting standards with local talent.

Victoriya Paneva

Actress & Instructor

Professional Background In 2011, she graduated with a degree in Acting under the mentorship of Professor Nadezhda Seykova in Sofia. She furthered her training in 2013 at the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation (STD RF) in Moscow, completing an advanced acting certification led by Alexander Kalyagin.

International Specialization Her pursuit of excellence led her to the Nikita Mikhalkov Film Academy at the Theatre of Film Actors in Moscow (2014). In 2019, she earned her Master’s Degree in "Methods of Stage Directing" from the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts (RGISI) in St. Petersburg, specializing in Directing and Theatre Pedagogy. She successfully defended her research thesis, "Training the Actor in Character Development," with a core focus on body language and physical expression.

Mentorship & Pedagogical Experience Since 2021, she has been a dedicated mentor to children and youth, leading numerous workshops and art laboratories in both Bulgaria and France. She is also the Co-founder and Lead Mentor of The Whitelisted Acting Studio.

Creative Portfolio As an actress, her portfolio includes 12 professional theater productions in Bulgaria, alongside appearances in feature films, television series, and commercials across Bulgaria, France, and Russia.

Nikol Bencheva

Actress & Instructor

Niya Balcheva holds degrees in Acting and Vocal Performance from the New Bulgarian University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Music Pedagogy from the National Academy of Music in Sofia. As an instructor at The Whitelisted Acting Studio, she is a firm believer that every child possesses a unique creative spark. Through the fusion of acting, music, and movement, she empowers her students to unlock their potential and build lasting self-confidence.

Her professional stage credits include diverse theatrical productions and musicals, such as The Wit Parade: The Shakespeare Game, Welcome to Burlesque, and Land of Longing. Beyond the stage, Niya has extensive experience in film productions, commercials, and music videos. Driven by a passion for dance, music, and mentorship, she thrives on creative challenges and is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists through innovative projects.

Niya Balcheva

Acting Instructor and Vocal Coach

Niya Balcheva holds degrees in Acting and Vocal Performance from the New Bulgarian University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Music Pedagogy from the National Academy of Music in Sofia. As an instructor at The Whitelisted Acting Studio, she is a firm believer that every child possesses a unique creative spark. Through the fusion of acting, music, and movement, she empowers her students to unlock their potential and build lasting self-confidence.

Her professional stage credits include diverse theatrical productions and musicals, such as The Wit Parade: The Shakespeare Game, Welcome to Burlesque, and Land of Longing. Beyond the stage, Niya has extensive experience in film productions, commercials, and music videos. Driven by a passion for dance, music, and mentorship, she thrives on creative challenges and is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists through innovative projects.

Kaloyan Ivanov

Instructor

Kaloyan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Acting for Theatre and a Master’s degree in Film and Television Directing from the New Bulgarian University. He is an active member of the ensemble at the Dragomir Asenov Drama Theater in Montana and performs with the private Art Theater, based at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia.

As an instructor at The Whitelisted Acting Studio, he is driven by a sincere passion for working with youth. He is dedicated to creating a nurturing space where every child feels seen, heard, and inspired to explore their inner world. Leveraging his directorial expertise, he guides his students through the process of creating professional video portfolios, small-scale cinematic projects, and short films, bridging the gap between the stage and the screen.

Radina Kamburova - Kaneva

Choreographer

Radina Kamburova - Kaneva holds a degree in Dance Theatre from the New Bulgarian University, where she trained under the distinguished guidance of Anna Pampulova and Tatyana Sokolova.

Her professional career spans several years as a performing artist, during which she was a member of various international dance companies both in Bulgaria and abroad. For the past six years, she has focused her expertise on pedagogy, actively working with students ranging from ages 4 to 18. At The Whitelisted Acting Studio, she specializes in developing physical literacy, spatial awareness, and the expressive power of movement on stage.

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