ROSHINA RATNAM

Virtual Masterclass Teacher

Roshina Ratnam is a Sri Lankan South African performer, puppeteer, writer, director, and audiobook narrator. A drama graduate from the University of Cape Town, she is the founder of Inala Theatre, which has been crafting playful, thought-provoking work for early years audiences across the globe since 2015.

 

Her recent directorial work, Glimmer—a poignant puppetry and object theatre piece for teens navigating the shadows of online relationships and identities—premiered to critical acclaim at Magnet Theatre. Roshina is also a proud ensemble member of the award-winning The Life and Times of Michael K (Fleur du Cap Best Production 2023), a collaboration with Lara Foot and Handspring Puppet Company, which has toured internationally from New York to Edinburgh and Shanghai. Her other performance credits include Hamlet (directed by Janni Younge) and Aci, Galatea e Polifemo in Berlin.

 

As a National Councillor for UNIMA South Africa, she has spearheaded projects such as the Puppetry Masterclass Series, nurturing a growing community of artists across the continent. Her work is deeply rooted in her multicultural upbringing in Apartheid-era Bophuthatswana, infused with the strength and complexity of her Sri Lankan heritage.

 

Roshina hopes to not  only bring her years of experience to the conference but a vibrant, global perspective, a deep respect for craft, and an unshakable belief in the power of puppetry to entertain, connect, heal, and transform.