About
01 - ABOUT
Theatre du Poulet is a theatre company and non-profit organization based in Halifax, with a specialization in puppetry, mask performance and physical theatre. The company is fronted by artistic director Chun Shing Au (Roland) and executive director Carmen Lee, an immigrant couple hailing from Hong Kong. Before Theatre du Poulet was born in 2016, the two first met in The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts where Roland majored in Acting and Carmen majored in Stage, Events, and Arts Management. With a combined experience of nearly two decades, the couple has travelled and performed in Ireland, Hong Kong and Canada. The duo’s passion for theatre is led by fusing political, environmental, and social issues with art: it is their belief that using puppetry and physical theatre is a powerful and language-free tool that reaches the widest of crowds. As Nova Scotia’s first Asian-owned theatre, the company is ready to share stories that uncover unheard voices to Canada’s diverse community.
02 - MANDATE
Theatre du Poulet is a not-for-profit theatre with a passion for combining theatre with social content. We provide performances reflecting contemporary social issues; puppetry, mask and theatre workshops for schools and communities; as well as strategic consulting and construction on set, props, puppetry and mask design. We believe our clients and audiences are anyone with an interest in exploring environmental and social issues through the mediums of design, puppetry, docu-theatre and physical theatre. Serving Nova Scotia as well as both Canada-wide and international audiences.
03 - MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Theatre du Poulet is to amaze, inspire and empower artists and audiences, in order to make Nova Scotia an even more conscious and compassionate community. Theatre du Poulet is a not-for-profit organization and alternative performance theatre with a commitment to using art as an amplifier to illuminate the contemporary issues related to the societal, environmental and multicultural climate of the world. Our priority aim is to create theatre experiences that brightens the spirit, engages the mind and deepens the understanding of the world around us while inspiring imagination, conversation and hope. We hope to be known for our commitment to raising public awareness of environmental-friendly practices in theatre, creating a nourishing environment of understanding and support that includes collaboration with artists of all cultures, and developing relevant, provocative and innovative productions that uncover stories and topics that are glossed over in our society. Theatre du Poulet is intent on sharing resources, skills and experiences with other artists and the community at large. We provide a safe and creative environment where local artists can grow, experiment and find their own voice. As a not-for-profit, our mission is to be a part of the solution in Nova Scotia to develop programs, services and quality enjoyable theatrical experiences that benefits the community.
04 - OUR TEAM
ROLAND CHUN SHING AU
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Chun Shing Au (Roland) is the artistic director and co-founder of Theatre du Poulet, an award-winning theatre company based in Nova Scotia.
Since graduating with honours from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2012, Roland has performed in over 20 productions as an actor in Hong Kong, Ireland and Canada.
As a puppeteer, mask performer, and physical theatre artist, he has undergone extensive training from many international programs: Character Mask and Movement Training by Familie Flöz - The 12th Flöz Summer Academy in Berlin; Puppetry Workshop & Object Theatre by Doc. Mgr. Marek Bečka in Prague; Animotion Puppetry Intensive Program by the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia; and The Poetic Body by Sébastien Brottet-Michel from Théâtre Du Soleil in France.
His work with Theatre du Poulet received two awards in 2018 for ‘The Best Newcomer Award’ at the Halifax Fringe Festival and ‘The Theatre Centre’s Emerging Artist Award’ at the Summerworks Festival in Toronto. In addition, Roland was also nominated for Outstanding Actor at The 9th Hong Kong Theatre Libre 2016-2017.
In his spare time, this actor likes to dabble in making sushi, playing the banjo and reading his favourite comics, One Piece.
CARMEN LEE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Carmen Lee serves as executive director and co-founder to award-winning company, Theatre du Poulet.
After graduating with First Class Honours in Arts, Events and Stage Management from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Carmen has managed and produced over 30 shows in both Canada and Hong Kong.
With over 8 years of experience in production and stage management, lighting, sound and set design, and arts administration, she has led her team to award wins at the Fringe Festival in Halifax and the Summerworks Festival in Toronto.
When she’s not making stained glass art at a studio or refreshing her mind after work at hot yoga, Carmen is most likely on a plane fulfilling her deep love for travel.