CASP Stories: Puppetry and Movement

Puppetry Workshop Lithgow_Cazeil Creative_160325_0003

Held over three locations in Lithgow, Mudgee and Rylstone March 15 and 16, the two-hour workshops offered playful and dynamic exploration of puppetry and movement.

These workshops were one of seven projects funded in 2025 by Arts OutWest’s Country Arts Support Program, devolved funding from the NSW Government.

Artists Renata Commisso and Keila Terencio de Paula guided the participants through exercises to discover new ways to bring objects, bodies, and stories to life. The included a playful mix of improvisation, structured movement, and object play.

The workshops were open to anyone over the age of 16, no experience needed, just a willingness to explore.

Renata Commisso is an internationally experienced performer who has worked with Sydney Opera House, Sydney Dance Company, and more. She now lives in Hartley. Keila Terencio de Paula is a conceptual artist blending physical theatre and visual arts, with performances at major festivals and theatres, including Belvoir Street Theatre and Erth Visual & Physical.

From Renata

What a privilege to share our work with a wide range of artists in the Central West. We loved to be able to share our interests, learnings and skills- especially from our experience in Pesta Boneka last October. The connections made have been invaluable and we hope to have sparked interest in our performance and creative practice that can build momentum for more opportunities. A first time that Keila and I came together with our practices for community sharing. It was so wonderful to work with her and such a blessing to have her skills in the space complimenting mine.

When applying for the CASP grant, I knew this could potentially be a great idea, but I didn’t realise just how special it would be. So many new and excited faces of practicing local and community artists coming through the door of the Union theatre in Lithgow, warmed my heart.

It felt good- knowing that this is the beginning of my artistic journey in the Central west. I was motivated and excited.

The space was playful, creative, supportive and safe. Aging from young artists to established artists- it felt alive. Knowing that there really aren’t many opportunities for artists to come together and creatively meet in the area- I straight away knew there has to be more of this.

It’s one thing to go to the coffee shop together- but it’s a whole new experience to exchange and play alongside each other – as this is where the magic happens. You see what people are capable of, through the exercises and how they work. There is a common goal you work towards, and all the different approaches happening along the way to find a story together. This is how I believe artists create and build work and a rich, sustainable community.

From this workshop- I have now connected with 4 artists in the last 2 weeks. One of them even coming to our weekly training sessions in Little Hartley – Watershed Dance Collective,

Thank you again ArtsOutWest, NSW Government and Lithgow Council for supporting this initiative. Having available spaces, time and funds to create these opportunities are essential in developing my practice as well as a community culture in the region.

I no doubt believe this workshop will have long rippling effects. And I can’t wait to see what happens next.

From Keila:

It was a great experience to exchange with the local community. Each workshop was really unique and special. Rylstone was beautiful to see a company getting together for training and development skills. I have a feeling we left a beautiful seed of creativity there. In Mudgee I will always think about the girl’s mother – I hope she felt it was an opportunity she doesn’t get as often. And Lithgow was so special with all the mix of creatives and local artists. I was mostly excited at the end with the sharing of happenings around the area. Workshops were held at Lithgow’s Union Theatre, Mudgee Arts Precinct and at Rylstone Hall. The Rylstone workshop was offered in collaboration with local theatre group Twin Town Players.

From the participants:

Participants enjoyed not just the content of the workshops but the tone and gentle guidance of the facilitators:

Having spent the morning contemplating my attendance – not being able to decide if my low mood or injury should stop my involvement in this opportunity – I was rewarded greatly by the Movement and Puppetry workshop facilitators as well as programmed material. It was a delightfully welcoming space for someone such as myself who is not only a total beginner in these artistic practices, but also has a minor phobia of one of them. I felt utterly content to allow myself to be fully immersed in the experience, within my limitations, feeling no pressure from the facilitators to push any harder than I wanted to; because of this, I feel I was able to be present during the workshop and engage with this experience mindfully. – Sam

and

Guys, what an awesome workshop. You wove movement and puppetry together beautifully. The opportunity to make our own Paper-Mate and tell stories with it was the best! Complaint… not long enough! Thanks Renata and Keila. – Bryan

and

I’m still feeling the gentle joy and connection from participating in Sunday’s workshop. It was so lovely to partake with my son…he’s usually a bit too cool these days to dance with me, so the workshop was an opportunity to connect through movement in a different way and space. – Kumari

And all these comments too:

Loved the freedom and sense of play and wonder.
Amazing, thank you so much.
A great space held and feel so fortunate to be doing this in Lithgow – our local town.

The workshops were supported by a small grant through Arts OutWest’ Country Arts Support Program (CASP), devolved funding through the NSW Government.

Arts OutWest Media Associate Carolyn Hide dropped into the workshop at Lithgow to take these photos: