Child led themed sessions explore puppetry, role play, materials and objects, with music and movement, to stimulate imaginative play, engaging the children as participants and audience in a process of creating characters, stories and mini-worlds. The Imaginary Leaps practical methodology draws on over 20 years of creative practice by Rachel Riggs, Artistic Director of DNA Visual Theatre & Puppetr
y Company, based in the UK and Western Australia. As part of her Early Years Professional status qualification, Rachel spent a year (2009-10) as Artist in Residence at Apple Tree Children’s Centre in Lancaster, UK, where she researched and developed open play activities supporting the Early years foundation stages. She is currently researching and developing Imaginary Leaps in W.A with emerging and Indigenous communities, funded by the Australia Gov for the Arts. She has also recently been playing with Imaginary Leaps in Indonesia for the Kampung kids foundation. Currently sessions in the Uk are developed by Early Years artists Sarah Hicks and Shakara Ahad with a creative team of dance, music and visual artists.
