Author: Aya Nakamura

Aya is happy to announce that she was one of the recipients of DYCP Round 17 on her new project ‘How to Use Paper to Tell Stories’. 

She was so fortunate to get a lot of help to write this application. Some took time to read and gave feedbacks. Some were happy to share their successful applications. One wrote a supporting document. And some just gave her a lot of encouraging words.

This will enable me to explore paper puppets with cameras and projections on stage, which I got inspiration from making my Paper Puppet film The Spider’s Thread.

Thank you Arts Council England!

More to follow!

Aya will performing in Famous Puppet Death Scenes during London Mime Festival 2023 and more.

Tour Dates
Mull Theatre (Scotland) : 18-19 January 2023
Barbican The Pit (London Mime Festival) : 24-28 January 2023
L’Hectare (France): 4 February 2023
Saint Michel sur Orge (France): 8 February 2023
Theatre Halle Roublot (France): 16 February 2023

Please click here for more information.

Photo: Andrew Downie

Aya will be touring with SNOW by Tiny Light this Christmas.

30th November 2022 at The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury

4th December 2022 at The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield

10th December 2022 at the Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

14th – 31st December 2022 at artsdepot, Finchley

More information is here.

Aya will performing in An Improbable Musical in Exeter and London Hackney this autumn.

Tour Dates
Exeter Northcott Theatre : 27 Sept – 1 Oct
Hackney Empire : 21-16 Oct

She is a part of cast members as well as the production’s Puppet Designer, Puppet Director and Puppet Maker.

Please click here for more information.

Photo: Marc Brenner

Aya will be running a Paper Puppet Theatre workshop during Hvammstangi International Puppet Festival this October.

Please click here for more information.

Photo: Aya Nakamura

Aya is performing in La Mort Grandiose des Marionnettes / Famous Puppet Death Scenes (The Old Trout Puppet Workshop/Canada) during Avignon Fringe Festival this summer.

Please click here for more information.

Photo: Jason Stang

Aya is currently in rehearsals for Improbable’s new show, An Improbable Musical. She is the production’s Puppet Designer, Puppet Director and Puppet Maker as well as being one of the performing ensemble.

Please click here for more information.

Photo: Marc Brenner

Aya is currently appearing in Touch Theatre’s production ‘The Gift’ at Z-Arts, Manchester till 31st December 2021.

On a sparkling Christmas eve, a lonely scientist watches his star.
But a dusting of Christmas magic sends an incredible new friend his way!  

Specially made for very young audience age 1 – 3 and presented in a fully Covid secure way, this brand new puppetry tale will welcome back the youngest audiences to theatres in 2021, with  music, magic and a sprinkling of puppetry mayhem.

Please click here for more information.

Aya is currently appearing in the Little Angel Theatre’s production ‘There’s a Rang-Tan in my Bedroom & Other Stories’ till 7th November 2021.

Inspired by the Greenpeace campaign films There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom and There’s a Monster in My Kitchen written by James Sellick, and featuring a voiceover by Emma Thompson.

Please click here for more information.

Aya will giving a talk on my personal journey as a theatre maker and puppeteer, hosted by The Japan Foundation, London. There is a sharing my recent work ‘The Spider’s Thread’ and a discussion about it with its composer Verity Lane, including how we are continuing to adapt our practice for online audiences.

Follow the link here for more information and ticket