Kia ora! We are an Aotearoa New Zealand based partnership committed to creating theatre to inspire, delight, and inform. Using puppetry, storytelling, and live music, our stories take children on a journey into other worlds full of imagination and wonder with liberal doses of humour! We believe in the power of wonderment to transform children’s lives, inviting them to imagine, feel, think, and dream. In this high-tech, fast-paced digital world, we offer a counter to ‘screen time’, allowing space in ‘real-time’ to watch, listen, and reflect.  We use a ‘handmade’ aesthetic that is sophisticated yet accessible, where the 'apparent' simplicity of our craft allows space for magic to happen.

Awards
WINNER PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’, Festival Valise, Poland. 2019
WINNER GREEN LIGHT LIST AWARD  ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’, New Zealand Fringe, 2019
WINNER OUTSTANDING DESIGN  ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’, Dunedin Fringe Festival, 2019
​WINNER BEST DIRECTION  ‘Birdlife’, Nelson Fringe, 2015
NOMINATED BEST FAMILY SHOW  ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’, Guildford Fringe UK, 2019
NOMINATED BEST VISITING SHOW  ‘Kōkako’s Song’, Dunedin Theatre Awards, 2019
SHORTLISTED PLAYMARKET ‘PLAYS FOR THE YOUNG’  ‘Kōkako’s Song’, 2017
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Training and Qualifications
B.A Combined Arts (Acting, Dance, Art), Leeds University, UK 1984
B.A Visual Art, NMIT, NZ, 2006
The John Bolton Theatre School, Melbourne, 2019 (Mask, Clown, and Physical Theatre)
Sandglass Puppet Theatre, USA, 2020 (Bringing the Puppet to Life)
Little Angel Theatre, UK, 2021 (Puppetry Online)

Bridget Sanders

Bridget works full time for Birdlife Productions Theatre company as Producer and Creative Director as well as performing and touring their children’s puppet shows around New Zealand and Europe. Bridget established a career as a Visual Artist for over 20 years while being a Librarian in Nelson. After becoming involved in the 'Body In Space’ Theatre Company in 2012 as a ‘maker’ and set designer, she grew a thirst for knowledge about performing and creating theatre. Her passion lies in taking high quality work out to New Zealand children to enrich their lives and inspire the Creatives of the future. Recent professional development includes 3 months training with John Bolton at The John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne in 2019, an online ‘Bringing Puppets to life’ course with Sandglass Theatre (USA), an online ‘Puppetry for Film’ course through Little Angel Theatre (UK) and online ‘Suitcase Puppet Theatre’ with Judith Hope Puppet maker (UK).

Roger Sanders

​Roger is a Storyteller, Actor, Musician, Puppeteer and Improviser with over 30 years’ experience as a performer and creator of theatre. Founding member of the UK Storytelling and Music Troupe ‘The Firebird’s Feather’, ‘Body In Space’ Theatre Company and ‘Birdlife Productions’ Theatre Company, New Zealand. Roger has collaborated with Japanese Master Puppeteer, Akiko Myamoto, and trained extensively in Physical Theatre and Improvisation. Performance highlights include the solo show ‘The End of the golden Weather’ 2009, Philias Fogg ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, 2013, Oberon and Theseus ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’, 2017 and solo show ‘The Magnificent Man in the Moon’ Nelson Fringe Fest, 2017. Recent professional development includes 3 months training with John Bolton at The John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne in 2019, an online ‘Bringing Puppets to life’ course with Sandglass Theatre (USA) 2021.

​Receiving 'People's Choice Award'
Teatr lalki i aktora w Łomży
​Poland, June 2019