Pepa Plana
Professional Trajectory
Pepa Plana, Catalan actress and clown
Pepa Plana is an actress and clown, born in Valls, Tarragona, on May 2nd 1965. Her talent, the distinct characteristic of her shows, and her individual contribution to promote the world of female clowning has made her a Catalan icon that stands out as one of the European figures of her genre.
Pepa Plana started her career as a theatre actress. Soon after graduating from the Institut del Teatre of Barcelona in 1989 she co-founded Preterit Perfecte, a theatre company that produced and toured three different plays.
In 1998 she created her own company with the explicit intention of producing clown theatre for grown-up audiences, marking a major shift and step forward in her career.
Since then Cia Pepa Plana has created and toured ten different productions: “De Pe a Pa” (1998), “Giulietta” (2000), “Hatzàrdia” (2004), ‘L’atzar” (2004), and “Penèlope” (2010). With “Èxode”(2011) she shares the stage for the first time with two other renowned clowns, Joan Montanyès ‘Monti’ and Joan Valentí ‘Nan’.
The next two years signify a new stage in Pepa Plana’s career when she moves to Quebec, Canada, to join the Cirque du Soleil for the creation and touring of the prestigious company’s new show ‘Amaluna” during 2012 and 2013.
In 2014 she moved back to Catalonia, and continue with “Despistats” (2014), “Paradís Pintat” (2016), “Suite” (2016), “Veus que no veus” (2018), where for the first time they form a woman clown duo, and “Si tu te’n vas” (2022) which is already a trio.
And in 2025 he premiered “A cada Pas – At Every Step“, a show inspired by Beckett’s “Happy Days”, where he returned to a one-person show without text.
Her shows have also toured Europe and Latin America regularly. Along with public recognition she has also been awarded numerous prizes, such as the distinguished National Culture Award 2014 and Cross of Saint George 2024 granted by the Government of Catalonia, and the 2022 National Circus Award awarded by the Ministry of Culture of the Spain.
Pepa Plana’s professional journey has made her the most renowned Catalan female clown, and her new projects are always awaited with anticipation. Her trajectory has also contributed to open new markets in the theatre scene of the Spain.
Alongside to her performing career, Pepa Plana was also appointed the artistic director of the International Female Clown Festival of Andorra, a benchmark of the genre.
Curriculum – Academic data
Degree in Dramatic Art from the Theatre Institute of the Provincial Council of Barcelona 1989. Studies of dramatic art at the “Josep Ixart” school in Tarragona. 1983/84/85.
Theatre techniques and improvement courses
• Directory Workshop. Avner Eisenberg. London, GB. January 2005.
• Eccentric Performing Workshop. Maine, USA. Avner Eisenberg and Julie Goell. August 2003.
• Magic Workshop For Clowns. Magic Andrew July 2003.
• Angela de Castro. Clown course. May 2001.
• Moshe Cohen. Clown course. June 2000.
• John Wright. Physical theater The Clown and Shakespeare. April 2000.
• Roberto Ciulli. Seminar on clowning. Bogotá. Colombia. April 1998.
• Ohirular clown. Virgin Imaz Basque Country Several clown courses. 94/95/96.
• Roy Bosier. Larval masks. September 1990.
• International theater internship. Paris Ariane Mnouchkine. Théâtre du Soleil. April 1988.
Other professional details
• Expedition with Clowns Without Borders to the refugee camps in Jordan. August 2010
• Expedition with Clowns Without Borders to Angola. July 2009
• Artistic direction of the “V International Clown Festival of Andorra”. May 2009
• Artistic direction of the “IV International Clown Festival of Andorra”. May-June 2007.
• Artistic direction of the “III International Clown Festival of Andorra”. April 2005.
• Premiere of “Hazzàrdia” at the Fortuny Theater in Reus as part of the 2004 Circus-Trapeze Fair. May 12, 2004.
• Artistic direction of the “II International Clown Festival of Andorra”. May 2003.
• Direction of the clown show “An-danda-ra” by the company An-danda-ra. Premiere in April 2003.
• Expedition with Clowns Without Borders to Chimaltenango, (Guatemala). Training courses. July/August 2002.
• Expedition with Clowns Without Borders to Equatorial Guinea. Training courses and performances in Bata and Malabo for three weeks. Summer 2001.
• Artistic direction of the “1st International Clown Festival of Andorra la Vella”. May 2001.
• Premiere of the season of “Giulietta” in Barcelona at the Sala Muntaner. February – March 2001.
• Premiere of “Giulietta” at the 9th International Clown Festival of Cornellà. October 2000.
• Expedition with Clowns Without Borders to El Salvador. Training courses for the “Payasitos de la Calle” and students from the country for six weeks. Summer 2000.
• Creation of “Cia. Pepa Plana”. Premiere of “De pe a pa”. Tàrrega’98 Fair.
Actress and assistant director of “Street Parade” of the Turkish Company “Sandimay”. Director: Quique Alcantara. Toured during the years 97/98 in: Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Colombia.
• Actress-founder of the company “Pretèrit Perfecte” 1992.