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. Shows include: ‘Birdlife’, ‘Kōkako’s Song’, ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’, ‘Box of Birds’ and ‘The Boy with Wings’. Recent upskilling includes 3 months training with John Bolton at The John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne, 2019, and puppetry training with Sandglass Puppet Theatre, USA, 2020.
Bridget won ‘Best Direction’ for ‘Birdlife’, Nelson Fringe, 2015. ‘Kōkako’s Song’, a children’s show about the magic of the New Zealand Forest, was shortlisted for Playmarket ‘Plays for the young’ and nominated for ‘Best Visiting show’ Dunedin Theatre awards, 2017. In 2018 she co-created ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’ which toured successfully in 2019 in New Zealand and UK and Europe, picking up the following awards:
WINNER: PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD Festival Valise, Poland. 2019
WINNER: GREEN LIGHT LIST AWARD New Zealand Fringe, 2019
WINNER: OUTSTANDING DESIGN Dunedin Fringe Festival, 2019
NOMINATED: BEST FAMILY SHOW Guildford Fringe UK , 2019
NOMINATED: BEST VISITING SHOW Dunedin Theatre Awards, 2019
In 2020 Bridget co-wrote and created ‘Box of Birds’- a show for Kindergarten aged children including Puppetry and Song, which has already been seen by over 1,000 children this year (before Covid-19),
‘The Boy with Wings’ is a work in development with CNZ funding, and has begun life at the HBAF in October with 10 successful school shows.
Bridget works full time for Birdlife Productions Theatre Company as Producer and Creative Director as well as performing and touring their children’s theatre around Aotearoa/New Zealand and abroad. Bridget established a career as a Visual Artist for over 20 years while being a Librarian in Whakatū/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, especially puppetry. She did further training at The John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne in 2019 and continues to research the art of puppetry where ever possible. Her passion lies in taking high quality work to Aotearoa/New Zealand children to enrich their lives and inspire them to look up! Bridget won ‘Best Direction’ for ‘Birdlife’, Whakatū/Nelson Fringe, 2015. ‘Kōkako’s Song’, was shortlisted for Playmarket ‘Plays for the young’ and nominated for ‘Best Visiting show’ Ōtepoti/Dunedin Theatre awards, 2017. She co-created ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’ (2019) touring successfully in Aotearoa/New Zealand, UK and Europe, picking up many awards. Bridget performed the solo mask work, 'Effy' as part of Tahi Festival, 2022. This year ‘The Boy with Wings’ has enjoyed a sell-out tour all around Aotearoa/New Zealand with Arts on Tour Trust and other major Arts Festivals. Bookings so far this year include Hamilton Arts Festival, CupaDupa, WOMAD and the premiere of 'Aya and the Butterfly' at Circa Theatre in April.
Organisation/Company
Name: Birdlife Productions
My Role: Birdlife Productions
Birdlife Productions (aka Bridget and Roger Sanders), are an award-winning professional theatre partnership with a passion for communicating a greater dimension of the world through Puppetry, Masks, Music and Storytelling. They produce original high-quality theatre using a hand-made low-tech aesthetic and intimate, sophisticated storytelling techniques, and are committed to creating shows for Schools, Kindergartens, Theatres and Festivals. Birdlife Productions won ‘Best Direction’ for ‘Birdlife’, Whakatū/Nelson Fringe (2015). ‘Kōkako’s Song’, was shortlisted for Playmarket ‘Plays for the young’ and nominated for ‘Best Visiting show’ Ōtepoti/Dunedin Theatre awards (2017). ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’ (2019) toured successfully in Aotearoa/New Zealand, UK and Europe, picking up many awards, including ‘People's Choice’ Award at Festival Valise in Poland. They have recently toured their most recent puppet and music show, ‘The Boy with Wings’ around Aotearoa/New Zealand with Arts on Tour Trust, as well as Ōtepoti/Dunedin Arts Festival and Wanaka Festival of Colour. Recent professional development includes 3-month training at The John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne (2019), and puppetry training with Sandglass Puppet Theatre, USA (2020), and Judith Hope Puppet Maker, UK (2021).
Aya and the Butterfly
Artform: Family Puppet Theatre
Development Status: Ready To Premiere
Media Uploads
Trailer
Synopsis
With the help of CNZ funding, award-winning children’s theatre company Birdlife Productions are creating a new puppet and music show using exquisite puppetry, live music, lots of joining in and giant caterpillar fun, promising a poignant experience for children and their whanau. Although it touches on feelings of sadness and grief, this show also encourages ‘letting go’ and laughter, resilience building and dealing with change, all metaphorically reflected by the life-cycle and metamorphosis of the Monarch Butterfly. Based on a children’s book by Ōtautahi/Christchurch author Dr Maysoon Salama, who wrote the story for her young granddaughter Aya, after Aya lost her father in the Christchurch Mosque attacks in 2019. Dr Salama has been working closely with Birdlife Productions as a cultural advisor and mentor, to help bring her story to the stage.
Designed for families and ideal for children aged 3 to 9 years, Aya’s story encourages compassion and empathy for different cultures, and helps us all become part of an important movement of change towards living together in peace.
Birdlife will engage the use of their trademark hand-made aesthetic as well as incorporating real-time on-stage digital projection, and the show is due to premiere at Circa in April 2024, with an additional South Island tour planned in July school holidays.
Creative Team and Crew
Bridget Sanders - Director, Performer and Puppeteer
Roger Sanders - Musical Director, Performer and Puppeteer
Jenny McArthur - Performer and Puppeteer
Number of People in the Touring Party
3
Previous Seasons
'Aya and the Butterfly' has had developmental showings in Whakatū/Nelson (Cultural Conversations, Nov 23) and Ōutatahi/Christchurch (Wigram Community Hall, Nov 2023). It is now being developed further as a Black Box theatre show and is due to premiere at Circa Theatre in the April school holidays 2024, with an additional South Island tour planned for July school holidays, 2024.
Reviews and Quotes
"Everything about this show is perfect!"
Kindergarten Leader review, Nov 2023
Media Release tag line:
"Puppetry proves both profound and poignant, telling a story that needs to be told"
Box of Birds
Artform: Puppetry and Music
Development Status: Tour Ready
Media Uploads
Trailer
Synopsis
Hailed as "the cutest little show in Aotearoa", this is an exquisitely produced puppet show with interactive songs and percussion designed very specifically for ages 3 to 6 years and their parents or carers. With lots of joining in and calling out, the story takes children on a journey with Peter and his Nanna, who build a nesting box for Ruru – but Peter has to learn to be patient and wait to discover who will eventually come and nest in his 'Box of Birds'! And after all that waiting, Nanna takes Peter on an exciting night time forest walk by the light of the full moon! The bird characters are all familiar New Zealand locals, such as piwakawaka, kereru, tui and ruru, and the story introduces young children to the idea of supporting them and the different needs they may have. The story also embraces core principles that model positive behaviour and personal empowerment, as well as relationship and respect to whanau (particularly a Grandparent) and nature. Kindergarten Leaders and parents have been raving about this show and hundreds of New Zealand children have been transfixed by it. 'Box of Birds' enjoyed a near-sold out season at BATS Theatre in the winter school holidays, 2022.
Creative Team and Crew
Bridget Sanders - Writer, Director and Performer (see previous Bio)
Roger Sanders - Musician and Performer: Roger is a Storyteller, Actor, Musician, Puppeteer and Improviser with over 30 years’ experience as a performer and creator of theatre. A 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 Night’s Dream’, 2017 and solo show ‘The Magnificent Man in the Moon’ Nelson Fringe Festival, 2017. Roger works full time for Birdlife Productions as a creator, musician and performer. 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.
Number of People in the Touring Party
2
Previous Seasons
2 years of touring Kindergartens around the main centres of Aotearoa.
ASB Theatre Blenheim - Feb, 2021
Cambridge Festival - March, 2021
BATS Theatre school holiday season - July, 2022
Oamaru Opera House - October, 2022
Reviews and Quotes
“This is the best show that our centre has ever had!” Lynda Godber, Supervisor, City Kids Childcare Centre, Feb 2022.
“It was enchanting. My 3-year-old loved it! His favourite scene was the forest at night. Thank you, thank you” Helen Curran, Victoria University, (after BATS show, July 2022).
"Our tamariki were absolutely mesmerised by the beautiful characters that Roger and Bridget made come alive through their animated and vibrant delivery, and such gorgeous handmade puppets and beautifully crafted set props. Ngā mihi nui Birdlife Productions!" Harekeke Kindergarten, Upper Moutere.
“Many thanks again for the superb puppet show you performed for our class of four-year-olds today. The entire show was so well thought out and paced, with attention to detail, beautiful props and engaging original music using diverse instruments.” Casa dei Bambini, Christchurch, 2021
"We love that puppet show! Can we see it again?" Tash Kibble, The Children’s Garden, May 2022
Technical Rider & International Touring Info (if applicable)
- View/download document #1 here
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.