Puppeteer, Puppetry Director & Performing Artist

“I have worked consistently with Kailah over several years across multiple productions with Monkey Baa Theatre Company. During this time, she has performed in Diary of a Wombat, served as resident puppetry director for Edward the Emu, and worked as puppetry director in her own right on Where is the Green Sheep?

Kailah brings a rare and remarkable ability to her work: she makes puppets truly come to life, imbuing them with unpredictability, depth, and soul. This is a testament to her exceptional skill and artistry. Beyond her craft, she creates an atmosphere of joy and curiosity, inspiring everyone she collaborates with and making the creative process genuinely uplifting.”

Eva Di Cesare, Monkey Baa Theatre Company

“Kailah brings to mind the amazing cross-poppination work of Andy Serkis and Doug Jones. She's a top level circus performer who also happens to have the acting chops of a Brando. Plus, she has the patience and experience to understand the delicate tiny details that need to go into making prosthetic and motion capture performance work.

Performers with that many skill sets, and then those firing at the highest level with them, are incredibly rare. And if that wasn't enough, Kailah is also such a pleasure to work with. Always surprising. Always adding more than you could have ever hoped. Always the biggest smile on set in the morning.”

Christopher Weekes, Writer, Director, Producer

“Kailah Cabanas is the consummate professional any production would want.  I first met Kailah in February of 2014 when I taught a master class in monitor puppeteering. Her enthusiasm was only matched by the eddy she showed in not only honing the skills I was teaching but the fun needed to do it.

Since then Kailah has gone on to excel in so many areas, including the tour of Cirque du Soleil's "Toruk the first flight." Kailah Cabanas is the individual producers & castmates dream of.”

Noel Macneal, Puppeteer & Director

"Building a giant spider for an Australia horror film directed by Kiah Roache-Turner but then getting to work with a bunch awesome puppeteers to bring it to life is the cherry on top. 

Kailah joined a team of three to help puppeteer the gangly legs of this monstrous arachnid.  Working alongside the other two puppeteers to imbue life into an otherwise static object. 

Puppeteering is a combined endeavour requiring (in this case) three people to rub their tummy and pat their heads in perfect sync.  Kailah was an integrated component in the team and helped create a memorable character for the director and audience. Cheers to you.”

Richard Taylor, Co-Owner of Weta Workshop