Afsaneh Aayani, making her HGO debut as a member of the creative team for The Big Swim, has contributed pieces of her art for HGO productions including Carmen (2021), The Puffed Up Prima Donna (2016), and The Pastry Prince (2014). Aayani is a Houston-based scenic designer, puppeteer, puppet maker, mask maker, voice actress, and artist. She began her artistic journey in Iran, where she developed her skills as a puppeteer and puppet maker and performed as a voice actor on television. She completed her bachelor’s degree in puppetry from the Art University of Tehran and shortly thereafter performed in festivals internationally including in China, Poland, and Sri Lanka. Since moving to Houston, where she completed master’s degree in scenic design at the University of Houston in 2020, Aayani has been engaged in exciting work around the city, with projects including scenic design, costume design, working as a props master, puppet and mask making, and teaching. She has worked with Houston-area theaters including Catastrophic Theatre, the Alley Theatre, Main Street Theater, A.D. Players, Stages Theatre, the Rec Room, Classical Theatre, and Landing Theater. In the spring of 2020, Afsaneh was awarded the USITT Scenic Design Award Sponsored by Rose Brand in recognition of her achievements and potential as a young scenic designer.