For over 30 years, Joe has been committed to promoting the art of physical theatre through teaching, and innovative performances that explore the borderline between the unconventional and the popular. Part of that journey has been the creation and use of masks and puppets in his productions.

Joe originally trained as a painter and sculptor. When he began to study acting, he was immediately attracted to the visual and physical play of masks and puppets and their potential for bringing color and sculpture to life.

In 1992 he and his wife Minna Matilda created company nakupelle which began as an enterprise for supplying masks and puppets to theatre companies and training centers. It soon expanded to a performing company that has toured all over the world and won acclaim for their unique and diverse productions.

Design Reel

"I wish to compliment you on the masks. They are stunning and create powerful onstage images."

Tami Knight CircusWest, Vancouver

"Wonderful catalog! Your collection is truly expressive - works of art each and every one."

Andrew Noble, New World School, Miami, Florida

If you are interested in ordering, you can choose from nakupelle's designs or we'll work with you to custom make the mask you desire whether it's for a theatrical production, movement training, children's theater, therapy or private collections. As maskmakers and performers we understand the mask inside and out: we pay particular attention to character detail as well as making each mask comfortable to wear and guaranteed to withstand the most rigorous performance.  

email: joedieff@gmail.com

UK mobile: +44 7408842925

Nakupelle has supplied character, commedia, animal, actor training and spectacle masks

for solo artists and theater companies all over the world including:

"Thanks for the terrific masks! I can't tell you how big a difference they make in the work."

Professor Rich Rand, Purdue University