Sky River is a Margaret River based writer, puppet and theatre producer, who draws on local environmental influences and worldwide mythology, to explore relationships between humans and the interrelated world. Utilizing a background in Theatre Studies (Griffith University) Sky spent years handcrafting puppets and touring original, environmentally inspired shows, to schools, libraries and festivals as Folk of the Puppetree. In 2018, Sky worked with Theatre of the South West’s Bakkhai at BREC as costume designer and performer. Professional development includes intensive training with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre and a 2022 residency. In 2019, Sky led a team to produce her original work, ‘Digby and the Dragon,’ featuring digital media, puppetry, soundtrack; resulting in sell out shows. Sky spent many years working as Dance and Drama teacher at Margaret River Independent School, taught drama for Barking Gecko Theatre Company, runs art workshops for youth program The Concrete Club and co-ordinates Artzability arts program for adults living with disabilities. An award winning, published performance writer (Western Edge Performance Writers), Sky was a panelist and storyteller at MR Readers and Writers Festival, her script ‘Frog Song’ featured in Short and Sweet Festival Perth 2021. She presented internationally at University of Otago, Performing Ecologies conference and is publised in the POT-R Performing Ecologies Journal with her article Bird Wings and Puppet Strings: Puppetry, Ecopsychology and Story. In 2021 Sky was awarded a National Regional Arts Fellowship in experimental puppet making and was a successful candidate for the Performing Lines Kolyang Hub, Local Giants Producer Platform and pitching artist at Circuitwest Showcase WA. Sky holds BA Honours in Visual Arts and English (ECU) and is passionate about creating community arts projects, engaging storytelling, performance and puppetry to promote a shift in ecological identity.
