Spin a Yarn
Spin a Yarn is a collaborative community storytelling project, matching puppetry artists with community groups and individuals to create visually compelling puppetry videos from local stories. The concept began during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, when gathering to share our tales—real or imagined—was no longer possible. Since then, Spin a Yarn has grown to work with communities in the City of Monash, City of Yarra, and soon, the City of Moonee Valley. We look forward to bringing Spin a Yarn to new communities, developing fresh stories, and celebrating the creative potential of our diverse society.
City of Yarra
After two years of Zooming and remote learning (especially for young people), we’re finally back in the room together! In collaboration with Yarra Libraries and Yarra City Arts, Black Hole Theatre has launched the latest iteration of Spin a Yarn.
Over the coming months, we’re developing three separate projects with Yarra Libraries—each reflecting the creative richness of local communities. One is already complete:
The Mountain Goat and the Cheetah and Surreal Man are two short, funny videos created with participants at Richmond Youth Hub during February and March. They premiered online and were also screened for family, friends, and the local community at the Moon Lantern Festival on April 10.
Please enjoy their films below—more are on the way!
Supported by Yarra City Arts, Yarra Libraries, Yarra Youth Services and Black Hole Theatre.
“A Bee’s Life”
A Bee’s Life is a tongue-in-cheek look at what happens inside a beehive—with a few creative twists! Developed with the Moonee Ponds Beehive Club, performed by experimental theatre group PonyCam, and supported by the Moonee Valley City Council.
Director: Nancy Black
Assistant: Stevie Vickery
Cinematographer: Alex Sibbison
Lighting: Brodie Mcmullan-Jones
Costumes: Allanah Sarafian
Sound Design: David Franzke
Flower Design & Build: Stevie Vickery
Title Graphics: Abstract Projects
PonyCam Performers: Claire Bird, Ava Campbell, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub, Hugo Williams
“The Mountain Goat & The Cheetah” and “Surreal Man”
City of Monash
Spin a Yarn launched in the City of Monash during 2020–2021. Black Hole Theatre invited the community to share their stories—digitally, if needed—which we then helped transform into video puppet pieces. It’s been a joy bringing these stories to life, and we thank all our participants for their creativity, generosity, and imagination.
A Day in the Life of a Running Shoe
Writer: Virginia Verrelli
Puppets, Visuals, Performance & Collaborator: Tamara Rewse
Dramaturge: Nancy Black
Cinematography & Editor: Alex Sibbison
Reining in the Beast
Story: Vicki Galante
Puppetry: Jeany Lee
Dramaturge: Nancy Black
Cinematography & Editor: Jeany Lee
Stories from a Lockdown Quilt
Writers & Collaborators: Heather Woods, Ella McSkimming, Lyall Morris
Puppets & Visuals: Lyall Morris
Dramaturge: Nancy Black
Cinematography & Editor: Alex Sibbison
Supported by City of Monash and Creative Victoria.
Graphic Design: Hours After
