Shizuka Kai

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Shizuka is a Vancouver-based artist known for her set design and puppetry. She’s also a mask & props maker, director, painter, illustrator, costume designer, and stage/film actor. She has worked with many established theatre companies including Arts Club, Neworld, Théâtre la Seizième, Carousel Theatre for Young People, Electric Company, Rumble, Axis, Boca del Lupo, Citadel, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, among many others. Shiz is a two-time Jessie Richardson Award winner and four-time nominee, Ovation award nominee, the recipient of the Earl Klein Memorial Scholarship and Bill Millerd Artist Grant, and a graduate of Studio 58.

Select Puppetry credits: Slime (The Only Animal), Crème-Glacée (Théâtre la Seizième), Sleeping Beauty Dreams (Marionetas de la Esquina/Presentation House), The Japanese Problem (Universal Limited). Design credits: Sweat and Topdog Underdog (Arts Club), King Arthur’s Night (Neworld), Jabber (Green Thumb/Neworld), Flee (Electric Company/Studio 58), Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” and Go, Dog. Go! (Carousel), Hamelin – A New Fable and Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch (Axis).

Shiz was hailed by theatre critic Colin Thomas as “an emerging star of theatrical design”. Currently in development is her own puppet show Otosan, inspired by Shiz’s real life experiences living with a father who is a wildlife videographer.