Hannah is an award-winning designer and maker of puppets, costumes, and installations for live performance, theatre, and TV. As Artistic Director of Bath Carnival, she combines traditional carnival arts with puppetry, to create expressive, whimsical designs. Her work spans over ten years; throughout this time running public workshops and mentoring, including roles as a university lecturer and creative mentor for many emerging artists.

In 2017, she founded a community studio near Bath, teaching accessible workshops. Since 2018, Hannah has managed and delivered Bath Carnival’s creative workshops for hundreds of participants annually. Throughout her creative journey she has maintained a special interest in puppetry’s ability to engage those who face performance challenges.

Hannah will be spending six months as a Watershed MyWorld Fellow as part of the MyWorld Ideas programme.  Her main focus will be on using remote puppetry at The Black Laboratory to support communication for people who identify as Autistic or having Autism Spectrum Disorder; exploring how non-human characters may be used as interactive tools. She has a background in psychology, having worked as an Assistant Psychologist in the NHS, and many years experience supporting individuals who are neurodivergent and have additional communication needs.

“This Fellowship really excites me as I have seen the impact of puppetry first hand for those who benefit from diversified approaches to the arts, and the opportunity to draw from my two distinct career paths to explore this is a privilege.”

Hannah can be found at: www.hanmadecarnival.com | @han.made.carnival

Hannah sitting on the floor holding a giant elephant puppet on a pole

Latest Projects:

Bath Carnival - Lead Artist 

The Elves and the Shoemaker - Black Hound Productions - Associate Puppetry Designer, Puppet Maker, Costume Supervisor

Sherlock Holmes and a Christmas Mystery - Black Hound Productions - Costume Supervisor

Mother Natures Supper Club - Kilter Theatre - Costume & Props Supervisor

Love and Information - Theatre Royal Bath - Wardrobe Supervisor 

US - Theatre Royal Bath - Costume Designer & Supervisor 

Piaf - Bristol School of Acting - Wardrobe Supervisor 

Evermore - The Egg Theatre - Costume Designer & Supervisor 

The Creator - The Egg Theatre - Costume Supervisor 

The Monstrum - The Egg Theatre - Costume Supervisor

Arabian Nights - Bristol Old Vic - Puppet Design Associate & Lead Puppet Maker

The Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School - Puppetry Practitioner 

Book Thief the Musical - DEM Productions - Puppet Supervisor & Maker

Pigs Might Fly - DEM Productions - Puppet Maker