Brett Hansen and Elissa Jenkins of the award-winning Larrikin Puppets are doing their part to ensure our youngest generation experiences fun and laughter while embracing kindness and inclusion. And they are doing this through the unexpected and, at times, misunderstood performing arts practice of puppetry. With a catalogue of performances – including pop-up theatre, in-theatre productions, school curriculum-aligned presentations, and puppetry for film and television – their highly entertaining, captivating and comedic puppetry is fast paced, feel good, and accompanied by original songs. Their shows nurture child development in a non-condescending way, encouraging audiences to talk, dance, sing and play along. Brett and Elissa, who trained in the USA under puppeteers from The Muppets and Sesame Street, won ‘Best Kids Live Show’ in 2021 at the national What’s On 4 Kids Awards. Australia’s own blue monster entertainer and MC extraordinaire, Troggg (the middle g is silent), will be making his red-circle TEDx debut along with human co-presenter Elissa.
Meet our 2023 speakers here.