Design
Characters, sets and props
As a designer, Colin’s approach goes to the core idea and emotion behind a project and magnifies it. His wide breadth of knowledge in fabrication techniques allows him to design with both freedom and down to earth feasibility. His characters tend to be evocative, playful and put the beauty of the materials in the forefront. His adaptability allows him to play with a wide range of aesthetics to find what fits each project the best. From realistic to cartoonish, from soft and comforting to rough and audacious.
SPECIAL AWARD—for research in shadow and paper theatre, Off the Beaten Path, Ombres Folles, Subotica International Festival of Children's Theatre, Serbia (2016)
FAR AWARD—for his Mechanical Puppet Duel game during OUF! Casteliers, Canada (2023)
Ongoing
Large scale outdoor performances
Designed emblematic characters for Canada's confederation 150-year anniversary (2017). Giant puppets and sets for Terra Karnaval & Festival Juste Pour Rire (2013-2014), Giant fish puppet for Chasseurs de Rêve's La Source d'Or (Watch) (2021)
2020
Daniel Bélanger + La Maison Fauve
Triomphe d'une Perruche
Artistic Director for project ASTERIA's 360º VR music video with famous musician Daniel Bélanger mixing cardboard puppetry, video effects and shadow theatre in an immersive experience. Presented at Centre Phi, Montreal's Place des Arts and touring. Also scenarist, storyboard artist and lead puppeteer. Tour nominated at Prix Rideau 2022. Dir: Marcella Grimaux Teaser
2012-2021
Ombres Folles
Pomelo (2021), Quixote (2017), Off the Beaten Path (2012)
3 productions totalling more than 450 shows, and counting, touring internationally. Puppet designer and builder. Awarded for exceptional research in shadow and paper theatre: Subotica's children theatre Festival (2016) and Special Prize award in Kiyv (2017).
2019
Cirque du Soleil
Nextasy Lab ft Boston Dynamics
Storyboard artist for explorations with Boston Dynamics robotics and live performers leading to this video: Link
2021
Productions JPR
Annie Musical
Puppet designer for a preliminary version where Sandy the dog was a puppet. Worked with director Serge Denoncourt to establish concept and pitch. Production had to pick a real dog for administrative reasons unrelated to the design.