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

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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

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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

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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

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  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.