International Work

Phoebe Hyder’s creative career spans continents, merging puppetry, motion capture, XR theatre, and immersive technology with a commitment to meaningful global collaboration. Her international projects reflect a dedication to cross-cultural exchange and the evolving role of performance in digital futures.

🇰🇪 I Am Not A Robot – Kenya/UK Collaboration (2024–2025)

In partnership with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, Youth Theatre Kenya, and Creative Technologist Thomas Buckley, Phoebe led the creation of I Am Not A Robot — a new theatre project exploring youth identity, AI, and storytelling in a hybrid digital age.

The project was one of 19 awarded a British Council Catalyst Grant, supporting artistic exchange between the UK and Kenya ahead of the 2025 UK/Kenya Season.

British Council Kenya announcement:
https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/culture-responds/catalyst-grants

Phoebe led workshops and co-devised performance material with young artists in Nairobi, blending physical theatre, puppetry, and interactive media to examine young people’s roles within rapidly shifting technological landscapes.

🇳🇴 Nordland Visual Theatre – Norway (2025)

In spring 2025, Phoebe was invited to present as part of the Open Sky programme at Nordland Visual Theatre (NVT) in Stamsund, Lofoten — one of Norway’s leading institutions for puppetry and visual performance.

NVT website:
https://www.nordlandvisualtheatre.no/

Set within an Arctic fishing village, NVT is known for its international, cross-disciplinary approach, merging puppetry, dance, multimedia, and visual art. Phoebe’s residency coincided with the Stamsund Theatre Festival, placing her work within a global network of visual theatre innovators.

🇰🇪 Elephant Queen Trust Commission – Kenya (2025)

In September 2025, Phoebe returned to Kenya to collaborate with the Elephant Queen Trust and puppet designer Holly Groves on a major new commission. Together, they created a touring “safari of puppets” as part of the Trust’s nationwide education and outreach programme linked to the award-winning nature film The Elephant Queen.

Elephant Queen Trust education resources:
https://elephant.co.ke/education-resources

Phoebe puppetry-directed the project, co-designed the puppet collection, assisted in fabrication, and trained the Trust’s Kenyan puppeteers. This work supported the Trust’s mission to bring creative storytelling, environmental education, and conservation awareness to schools and communities across Kenya through mobile theatre, film screenings, and literacy initiatives.

🌍 A Practice Rooted in Exchange

From Nairobi to Norway and back to Kenya’s conservation landscapes, Phoebe’s international work is guided by collaboration, curiosity, and a belief in storytelling as a tool for connection. Her cross-border projects unite artists, technologists, and young people to explore what it means to create, perform, and imagine across cultures and mediums.

Ongoing collaborations are welcome — please get in touch.