About
01 - ABOUT
Theatre du Poulet was founded by Carmen-Lee and Chun-Shing Roland Au in 2016. Originally from Hong Kong, we relocated to Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2015. Currently, we are based in both Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Chun-Shing (Roland) completed his master's degree at DAS Theatre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands while Carmen-Lee pursued her master's degree in "Directing of Devised and Object Theatre" at the Academy of Performing Arts (DAMU) during 2021-2022 in Prague, Czech Republic. Our passion lies in pushing the boundaries of mask and puppetry performance to explore the intersection between visual poetics and political context.
02 - MANDATE
Theatre du Poulet is a not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to merging theatre with contemporary social content. We offer performances that address current social and political issues through the innovative use of puppetry, masks, and alternative theatre. Our services include:
Performances: Engaging shows that explore and reflect contemporary social issues.
Workshops: Puppetry, mask, and theatre workshops tailored for schools and communities.
Consulting and Construction: Expertise in set design, prop creation, puppetry, and mask design.
We believe our audiences and clients include anyone interested in exploring critical social topics through the lenses of design, puppetry, documentary theatre, and alternative theatre. Theatre du Poulet serves Nova Scotia, as well as national and international audiences, striving to create impactful and thought-provoking art that resonates across diverse communities.
03 - MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Theatre du Poulet is to amaze, inspire, and empower artists and audiences, fostering a more conscious and compassionate community both in Nova Scotia and beyond. As a not-for-profit organization and alternative performance theatre, we are committed to using art to illuminate contemporary societal and multicultural issues.
Our primary aim is to create theatre experiences that engage the mind, brighten the spirit, and deepen the understanding of the world around us. We strive to inspire imagination, provoke conversation, and instill hope through our innovative performances. Theatre du Poulet is dedicated to fostering a nourishing environment of understanding and support through collaboration with artists from diverse cultures.
We are known for our commitment to developing relevant, provocative, and innovative productions that uncover stories and topics often overlooked in our society. By sharing resources, skills, and experiences, we aim to create a safe and creative space where local artists can grow, experiment, and find their unique voices.
As a not-for-profit, our mission is to contribute positively to the community by developing programs, services, and quality theatrical experiences that benefit and enrich the lives of those we reach, both locally and globally.
04 - OUR TEAM
ROLAND CHUN-SHING AU
Chun-Shing Au (1989 / Hong Kong) graduated with master’s degree in DAS Theatre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2024 and also with honours from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2012.
Utilizing his acting background as a springboard - Chun-Shing has been working across disciplinary boundaries, including mask & puppetry, projection design, sculpture, installations and performance since 2017. He lived for 25 years in Hong Kong, 6 years in Canada, and 1 year in Prague, Czech Republic. He is now based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Thanks to his extended arts and theatre network, his works have been performed across those countries.
He is mostly interested in pushing the boundaries of mask and puppetry performance in order to explore the gap between visual poetics and political context.
CARMEN-LEE
Carmen-Lee (1989 / Hong Kong) pursued master's degree in "Directing of Devised and Object Theatre" at the Academy of Performing Arts (DAMU) during 2021-2022 in Prague, Czech Republic and also with First Class Honours in Arts, Events and Stage Management from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2012.
Carmen-Lee, born in Canada in 1989 and raised in Hong Kong, is a theatre maker, lighting designer, production manager, and stage manager with a keen interest in community, public space, and political agency. Based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and also Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. she collaborates with her husband Chun-Shing Au, a recent DAS Theatre Master's graduate. Together, they founded "Theatre du Poulet" in 2016 in Canada.