Ranya Malovič, the co-founder and artistic director of Green Room, is revolutionising the entertainment industry in Bahrain. From humble beginnings in Slovakia, where her passion for performance began, Ranya has built a luxury entertainment company that offers bespoke shows tailored to clients’ needs. In this interview with Kristian Harrison, she tells Woman This Month about her thirst for creativity, empowering female artists and breaking boundaries in the Kingdom.
Born into a family of doctors and engineers, Ranya’s passion for the stage was evident from an early age. She recalls dancing for hours at home, with a blanket laid out on the floor to transform it into an impromptu stage. At the age of four, her parents enrolled her in dance classes, which eventually set her on a lifelong path towards performance. Despite her artistic inclinations, Ranya also had a strong academic side, which led her to pursue a Master’s degree in security studies from the prestigious Paris Institute of Political Science. “I’ve always had a big interest in science,” she shares, “but the stage was where I felt most at home.”
After leaving Slovakia right after high school, Ranya lived in several countries before finally settling in Bahrain in 2015. Now living with her husband and their four rescue pets – three cats and a dog – she still enjoys horseback riding and is currently training her young mare, Sofia.
The Vision
Ranya’s journey began with a clear goal: to fill a gap in the Bahraini market by creating an artist management company with a focus on supporting performers, particularly women. “When I started Green Room a little over four years ago, I wanted to bridge a gap,” she explains. “There were many event organising companies but no artist management companies that specialised in managing artists, producing and choreographing stage shows, and creating high-quality show costumes in-house.”
One of Ranya’s primary goals with Green Room is to ensure the welfare and appreciation of the artists under her management, an aspect she believes is often overlooked in the industry. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she is particularly invested in the safety and security of female performers. “With a heavy demand for booking female artists, I thought it was about time a woman became the manager,” she says. “It’s important to make sure female artists are safe, secure and treated equally at all times.”
Ranya is especially proud to represent the only performing Bahraini ballerina and acrobat, a testament to Green Room’s commitment to nurturing local stars. “Bahrain has so much amazing female talent – from musicians to DJs, to singers and dancers,” she shares. “Our portfolio of Bahraini artists is growing each season.”
A Partnership Built on Mutual Respect
The success of Green Room is not solely Ranya’s achievement; her partnership with Moayyed ‘Mo’ Feroze, a Bahraini businessman, has been integral to the company’s growth. The two first met in 2019 during a gig where Moayyed needed a female fire show artist. Their professional chemistry was immediate, and soon, their families grew close as well. “Fun fact – Mo and I share the same birthday. I guess that’s a good omen,” she laughs.
Their partnership works because of their complementary skills. While Ranya brings expertise in show production and artistic vision, Moayyed contributes his deep knowledge of Bahrain’s legal and business landscape. “The love and respect that Mo has for his country and the potential it holds for the region, and how he then translates it into our work, is amazing,” she says. “That is a huge part of Green Room’s success without a doubt. He sees what Bahrain has to offer and puts this vision into the company, and when we combine it, it’s amazing to see the results.”
Creating Bespoke Entertainment
Green Room specialises in luxury, bespoke shows tailored to the client’s specific vision. While the company does offer a catalogue of ready-made performances, Ranya finds the process of creating custom shows to be the most rewarding. “We get the client’s idea, create a mood board for them, sketch costume designs, select music and start creating from there,” she explains.
What sets Green Room apart is its in-depth technical knowledge. Ranya and her team know exactly what is and isn’t feasible in terms of logistics and venue requirements. Whether it’s the dimensions needed for aerial acrobatics or the type of flooring for ballet in pointe shoes, Green Room ensures that no detail is overlooked. This meticulous attention to technicalities enables them to produce some of the most extravagant shows on the island. “Some of my personal favourites are very private ones under strict NDAs, but I can say they included a horse parade,” she hints.
Supporting Fellow Artists
Ranya is deeply committed to ensuring that the artists she manages feel supported and respected. “Artistry and skill are, of course, the first two qualities I look for, followed by responsibility and reliability,” she notes. However, she understands that her role as a manager goes beyond just talent scouting. “I make sure that my artists have the conditions necessary to deliver those high-calibre performances our clients expect.”
She also emphasises the importance of maintaining a balance between creativity and professionalism in an industry where clients can sometimes have conservative tastes. “Of course, my vision doesn’t always align with that of the clients. Sometimes I have more out-of-the-box ideas, but we always manage to find the right balance,” she says. “At the end of the day, we love what we do, and any booking is a creative outlet for us.”
Safety is also a top priority for Ranya, not just for her performers but for the entire team. “We always have a coordinator or a designated senior dance captain with our team on-site,” she explains. Additionally, Green Room requires secure changing rooms and professional security staff to ensure that performers feel safe during and outside of events.
Ongoing Training and Recruitment
Green Room artists are hired as existing professionals, but Ranya believes in the importance of continuous improvement. “All of our artists come to us already trained in their respective fields, but we offer opportunities for cross-training and further education,” she says. Green Room organises workshops and training sessions and ensures that all performers maintain their skills, even in the off-season.
The hiring process is equally rigorous. While Ranya relies heavily on her network built over 20 years of performing, she also uses standard recruitment channels and holds casting calls. Given the logistical challenges of Bahrain compared to larger entertainment hubs like Dubai, much of the casting is done via video call.
Looking Forward
As Green Room gears up for another show season, Ranya is excited about what the future holds. “We’re looking forward to another amazing show season ahead,” she concludes. Under Ranya’s leadership, the company has created a space where creativity, professionalism and respect for performers coexist harmoniously. Add in some flair for the extraordinary, and it promises to be very exciting times ahead for the Kingdom’s entertainment scene.
