James Retter Duncan Actor Puppeteer Movement Specialist

Actor Movement Specialist Puppeteer

I am a performer dedicated to all aspects of movement, puppetry, motion capture, live skins, suits and creature movement.  I have worked for and alongside some of the world's top creature creators, puppet builders, storytellers and producers. I've been involved in almost every aspect from research and design, to consulting and performance in  some of the industries most notable shows. While balancing working on 2 continents I continue to be driven by a genuine fascination (slash obsession) and a love of all things movement and puppetry. Whether working on new developments or large scale productions I remain thankful to have these rare creative experiences. . (I am also a huge action figure geek...)

 Thanks for visiting, please contact me anytime.

JAMES DUNCAN - Actor/Puppeteer/Movement Specialist

ACTRA (CAN)

EQUITY (USA, UK, CAN)

IATSE (USA)

AWARDS

  • -Recipient of Outer Critics Circle award for exceptional artistry

  • Tony nomination for King Kong The Musical

  • Oliver award for War Horse UK

  • Dora award for War Horse Toronto

RECENT STAGE/SCREEN CREDITS:

KING KONG the Musical (current)

Voodoo Swing Operator - KONG

King Kong Broadway LLC, New York, NY

THE NEVERENDING STORY (current)

Puppetry Consultant

Stratford Festival of Canada

THE ADVENTURES OF MARY JANE MOSQUITO (2019)

Puppetry Consultant

Carousel Players, St Catharines, ON

GHOST OPERA (2019)

Research and Development - Puppetry

The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, Calgary AB

CIRCUS 1903 (Ongoing)

Head Puppeteer - QUEENIE, Actor

Magic Space Entertainment, Las Vegas, NV

THE SPACE BETWEEN 

James (actor), Puppeteer, story consultant

Young Vic Theatre of Great Britain - London, UK 

SOREEN TV CAMPAIGN

Puppeteer

Seed Animation, Blink inc/Clapham Rd Studios, London UK 

LONGLEAT 50TH ANNIVERSARY THEATRICAL SHOW

Head Puppeteer

The Estate of Longleat, Warminster, UK

WAR HORSE 

Head Puppeteer - JOEY, TOPTHORN, ENS SWING

National Theatre of Great Britain/New London Theatre

CITIZEN SQUID

Puppeteer/Story consultant

Puppets with Guts, London, UK 

WAR HORSE 

Head Puppeteer - JOEY, TOPTHORN, GOOSE, ENS. SWING

North America/JapanTour/Networks Productions

WAR HORSE

*Dora Winner

Head Puppeteer - JOEY, TOPTHORN, GOOSE, ENS. SWING

Mirvish Productions/Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto

HENRY V

The Messenger

Stratford Festival/Jeanette Lambermount

NAPOLEON VS THE TURK

*Winner of Audience Choice Award

Napoleon 

Toronto Fringe/Luke Davis

I MET A BULLY ON A HILL

*Dora Nominated

Bully

Theatre Direct/Lynda Hill

 

RECENT  DIRECTING/CONSULTING CREDITS

THE NEVERENDING STORY Head Puppetry consultant STRATFORD FESTIVAL co-production with NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE

GHOST OPERA Puppetry consultant THE OLD TROUT PUPPET COMPANY, Calgary, AB

LONGLEAT 50th AnniversaryCelebration Director/Puppet Master The Estate of Longleat

ENTER THE SHADOW Director/Dramaturge The Enwave Theatre Toronto

THE ANIMABLES Puppet Master Paramount (TV Pilot)                    

THE ADDAMS FAMILY Director PAVAS Theatre

JOSPEH …DREAMCOAT Director The Young Peoples Theatre

INTO THE WOODS Director Sheridan Theatre

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Director/Puppet Master Myst Theatre

ALICE IN WONDERLAND Director Oakville Theatre

THE SCOOBY SHOW Scooby Doo/Dancer Canada's Wonderland

 

RECENT TEACHING, RESEARCH AND CONSULTANT WORK

DISNEY CRUISE LINE; Puppetry Specialist - current

THE YORK SCHOOL; Guest director, workshops in collaborative theatre (CAN)

QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CANADA,: Taught various workshops in Ensemble Theatre (CAN)

SIGNIFICANT OBJECT: Research and development of Elephant and other puppets (UK)

BRUNSKILL and GRIMES: Research and development of various works (UK)

BRUNSKILL and GRIMES: Training and talent development of performers (UK)

KINGSWAY COLLEGE: Created and implemented Theatre Course (CAN)

NATIONAL THEATRE OF GREAT BRITAIN: Certified Workshop Leader and puppetry specialist (UK and CAN)

 

SPECIAL SKILLS

Animal and Creature Movement specialist

Live Skin Performer - various in costume events, workshops and productions

Voice Actor - various animated and commercial spots

Drama School Instructor - guest artist and workshop facilitator at various schools in Canada and the UK

 

TRAINING:

MOCAP U - MOTION CAPTURE (CAN)

TERRY NOTARY - MOTION CAPTURE (USA/CAN)

SHAPES in MOTION - MOTION CAPTURE (UK)

RYERSON THEATRE SCHOOL - THEATRE (CANADA)

MUMP and SMOOT - CLOWN (CANADA)