Philip Mitchell is an award-winning director and puppeteer with three decades of experience in Australian puppetry. He has been the Artistic Director of Spare Parts Puppet Theatre since 2002, leading the company for over twenty years with a vision that has shaped it into a nationally recognised cultural treasure.

As an artistic leader, Philip is passionate about creating and commissioning contemporary puppetry works that expand the boundaries of the artform. Emotional literacy sits at the heart of his creative philosophy, which he believes is essential to building empathy and connection within communities. His work explores the dynamic between performer and puppet, the possibilities of large-scale storytelling, and the power of interactive and experiential performance.

For Spare Parts, Philip has directed multiple award-winning productions including The Arrival (winner, WA Equity Guild Award for Best Production), Farm (nominated for six PAWA Awards), On Our Beach (Best Production, 2020 PAWA Awards), The One Who Planted Trees (Best Mainstage Production, 2022 PAWA Awards), and Beanstalk (Best New Work, 2022 PAWA Awards).

Before moving to Western Australia, Philip spent more than a decade in Tasmania as a puppeteer, teaching artist, performer, director, and co-deviser. He also studied under Josef Krofta and Petr Matásek at the Prague School of Alternative Theatre and Puppetry (DAMU) in the Czech Republic. Over his 30-year career, he has led thousands of workshops and artist residencies for young people.

In 2025, Philip was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Performing Arts WA Awards, recognising his outstanding contribution to the arts and his profound influence on Western Australia’s cultural landscape.