MitchellH

Puppeteer/ Musician/ Educator
Brisbane

Mentor: Jonathon Oxlade

Mitch Humphrys studied a Bachelor of Primary Education, majoring in Theatre Studies/Drama at USQ, Toowoomba. Since graduating, he has attended workshops in Fresno, California training with Paul Zaloom, Tim Lagasse and Clare Dolan. Mitch works as a freelance Puppeteer, Musician and Primary School Teacher.

Mitch has been puppeteering for 5 years and has designed and presented his own workshops, and held shows all over Queensland. He's also created puppets for renowned Psychobilly band 'Zombie Ghost Train', and had these on display at Brisbane's 2007 Kustom Kulture festival, Greazefest. While most of his characters are based on the mouth and rod design, he is still on a journey to create a style of his own. Mitch is also a versatile musician and has composed and recorded soundtracks for many of the short films he's performed in. He also writes and sings original compositions for his Rockabilly band 'Captain Twilight and the 6 Shooters'.

Mitch has experience in and a passion for Puppetry and Education, and their use as a tool for positive learning and understanding with children. Mitch has a belief that children need continual support, encouragement and excitement through education in order for them to have a positive impact on our society.

The YAMP program is just the thing Mitch is after in order to not only promote himself as an upcoming Australian Puppeteer, but with his mentor Jonathon Oxlade, exploring and learning the skills of puppetry stage performance, set design and gaining valuable network coverage. Another goal for the nine months that the pair endeavour to do is help expose the field of puppetry and object performance within Queensland.