PUPPET DESIGN

Deniz has over 10 years of experience in shadow-puppet design. In her project Husks from Iran, she explored shadow puppetry inspired by Persian calligraphy. The project was selected by several prestigious residencies and fellowships, including The Orchard Project, Mercury Store, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, and Performance Project Fellowship. It also received grant support from the Jim Henson Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

Deniz also makes masks and body-extension pieces for Shadow Works.
These creations can function as tools for transforming identity and shaping silhouette on stage. 

Deniz makes scrolls and crankies featuring shadow puppets in different sizes and styles.

this project was an exceprt of the piece""In the shadows of her past selves developed at Theatrelab performed at Puppetfringe festival NYC puppet slam.

Deniz is an alumna of the O'Neill Puppetry Conference, where she studied marionette construction under master puppet builder Kurt Hunter,

Deniz has made different styles of shadow puppets, both as figures and as puppets with complex mechanisms.

Deniz has designed and built shadow puppets for multiple operas including Rumpelstiltskin by Guerilla Opera.

More examples of shadow puppets in small boxes, great for intimate spaces and touring!

Leylie was a commission by composer Bahar Royaee, who wanted shadow puppets to accompany her concert in 2017.

Deniz uses different techniques in shadow puppetry, including overhead projectors, live feed camera and lightboard as well as traditional ways with lights behind a screen.