Meet the Team: Sean Myatt – Co-Chair of BrUNIMA
Bringing Puppetry and Object Theatre to Life
If you’ve ever been enchanted by the magic of puppetry and object theatre, chances are you’ve encountered the work of Sean Myatt. As Co-Chair of BrUNIMA, the UK branch of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette, Sean is a driving force in promoting puppetry as a vibrant, evolving art form. When he’s not championing the world of puppetry through BrUNIMA, he’s inspiring the next generation of theatre-makers as a Senior Lecturer in Theatre Design at Nottingham Trent University (NTU).
A Lifelong Passion for Puppetry
With a career spanning over three decades, Sean has done it all – from performing with renowned international companies to designing and consulting on major productions. His journey began with a fascination for the power of objects to tell stories, leading him to work with legendary figures like Barry Smith, Peter Schumann, and Philippe Genty.
He’s been everywhere – from the Olympic Opening Ceremony in 2012 (where he served as Puppet Captain) to working on Before the Dawn, Kate Bush’s legendary 2014 concert series. And he still finds time to create, perform, and research, ensuring that puppetry remains at the cutting edge of contemporary performance
Championing Puppetry at BrUNIMA
As Co-Chair of BrUNIMA, Sean is at the heart of the UK’s puppetry community, working to connect artists, scholars, and enthusiasts. He helps shape initiatives that support puppetry practitioners and promote the art form both nationally and internationally. Whether through networking events, research collaborations, or festival programming, he’s dedicated to keeping puppetry accessible, innovative, and thriving.
Under his co-leadership, BrUNIMA continues to explore how puppetry and object theatre intersect with other disciplines – from healthcare to digital animation. Sean’s belief in the transformative power of puppetry drives his mission to push boundaries, foster new talent, and celebrate the diversity of approaches within the field.
From the Classroom to the Stage
At NTU, Sean is known for his hands-on, playful approach to teaching. He leads modules on puppetry, object theatre, carnival, and opera, sharing his extensive experience with students from undergraduate to MA levels. He also co-supervises a PhD in object theatre and design research, ensuring that academic inquiry into puppetry continues to grow.
His research has influenced how puppetry is taught and performed, questioning traditional techniques and exploring fresh approaches. He’s passionate about making sure object theatre is recognised as its own discipline, distinct from traditional puppetry, and has led major research projects to deepen understanding in the field.
What’s Next?
Sean’s work with BrUNIMA and NTU ensures that puppetry remains an exciting, evolving art form. Whether he’s training future puppeteers, consulting on ground-breaking productions, or advocating for puppetry in new spaces, one thing’s for sure – he’s always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with objects, performance, and storytelling.