Kim Carpenter

Australian visual artist and theatre director

Kim David Carpenter AM is an Australian visual artist, theatre director, designer and devisor. For thirty years he was artistic director of his company, Kim Carpenter's Theatre of Image.[1]

Early life

Carpenter was born in Newcastle, New South Wales in 1950.[2] He moved to Sydney as a teenager to train as a painter.[3] He studied production at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1968 and 1969.[2] He also studied at Motley Theatre Design Course in London in 1971.[4]

Biography

During the 1970s, Carpenter designed for the Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney's Nimrod Theatre Company. He was, for a short period, co-Artistic Director of Nimrod in the early 1980s.[5]

In 1988, Carpenter established Theatre of Image as Sydney's first visual theatre company. Theatre of Image has developed into a leading Australian theatre company for children and families, with its productions having a distinctive visual style.[6][7] In September 2019 he announced the closure of the company.[8]

His work includes The Book of Everything[9] which he created with Neil Armfield for Theatre of Image and Belvoir. The production toured Australia and played a season in New York at the New Victory Theater.[10]

In 2019 he adapted and designed The Happy Prince[11] as a ballet for The Australian Ballet.[12] It premiered at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre In February 2019[13]

Carpenter was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2013 for significant service to the performing arts.[14][15]

Carpenter has devised, directed or designed over 100 productions for theatre, opera, dance, physical theatre, ballet and puppetry.[16]

For Theatre of Image

Year Production Role Partnerships
2019 Brett And Wendy - A Love Story Bound By Art[17] Creator/Director/Designer Sydney Festival, Riverside Theatres
2018, 2010 Little Beauty[18][19] Creator/Director Designer National Portrait Gallery (Australia)
2015 Monkey...Journey To The West[20] Creator/Director/Designer Brisbane Festival, Melbourne Festival, Sydney Opera House, National Tour
2010, 2012, 2013 The Book of Everything[citation needed][21] Co-writer/Designer The New Victory, Melbourne Theatre Company, Belvoir
2011 Snow On Mars[22][23] Concept/Designer Seymour Centre
1992,1993,1994,1998,2003,2008 The Happy Prince Concept/Director/Designer Sydney Theatre Company, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Seymour Centre, Sydney Festival, Awesome Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, National Tours

References

  1. ^ "Kim Carpenter: life after Theatre of Image". Limelight. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b Zeplin, Pamela (1995). Parsons, Philip (ed.). Companion to Theatre in Australia. Sydney: Currency Press. p. 128. ISBN 0868193577.
  3. ^ "Creative visionary Kim Carpenter returns to NIDA". ABC News. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  4. ^ Mullin, Michael (1 January 1996). Design by Motley. Associated University Presse. ISBN 9780874135695.
  5. ^ Meyrick, Julian (2002). See How It Runs: Nimrod and the New Wave. Sydney: Currency Press. p. 189. ISBN 0-86819-651-7.
  6. ^ Kembrey, Melanie (10 April 2015). "Theatre of Image's Kim Carpenter displays body of work in new exhibition". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  7. ^ Verghis, Sharon (20 June 2005). "Theatre is more than mere child's play". www.smh.com.au. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  8. ^ Low, Lenny Ann (9 September 2019). "Final curtain call for legendary theatre company". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Belvoir Hit The Book of Everything for Adelaide | Stage Whispers". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  10. ^ "The Book of Everything Scores Rave Reviews in New York | Stage Whispers". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  11. ^ "The Happy Prince ballet may be jinxed, but the show goes on". Australian Financial Review. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  12. ^ "★★★☆☆ The Happy Prince (The Australian Ballet)". Limelight. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  13. ^ Ballet, The Australian. "The Happy Prince | The Australian Ballet". australianballet.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Kim David Carpenter". honours.pmc.gov.au. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Pyrmont theatre company owner appointed member of Order of Australia". DailyTelegraph. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  16. ^ "AusStage". www.ausstage.edu.au. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  17. ^ "Brett and Wendy … A Love Story Bound by Art | Stage Whispers". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Little Beauty". National Portrait Gallery calendar. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  19. ^ Circle, Canberra Critics (3 July 2018). "Canberra Critics Circle: LITTLE BEAUTY". Canberra Critics Circle. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Monkey … Journey to the West". Australian Arts Review. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  21. ^ "The Book of Everything Belvoir Sydney 2009". Belvoir St Theatre. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Theatre of Image Premieres Snow on Mars | Stage Whispers". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Theatre review: Snow On Mars, Sydney Festival". Crikey. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
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