Romanian puppeteer, director, and teacher. Constantin Brehnescu was a student of director Manole Foca, founder, in 1949, of the puppet theatre in the city of Iaşi, now called Luceafărul Theatre for Children and Youth (Teatrul Luceafărul – Theatre of the Morning Star). In 1951, Brehnescu began his theatre career as a puppeteer, performing until 1968 in more than forty roles, some distinguished with awards. Driven by a desire to invent new forms of puppetry and his love of experimentation, since 1968 he has moved over to direction.

Brehnescu has to his credit about ninety productions, including Albă ca Zăpada (Snow White, 1972), Bing, Bang, Bing (1973), Fram, ursul polar (Fram, the Polar Bear, 1977), Elefănțelul Curios (The Curious Little Elephant, 1980), and Ziua de naștere a lui Pinocchio (Pinocchio’s Birthday, 1996).

Characterized by his sense of humour and innovative spirit, his productions gained public attention and acclaim and earned press recognition.

Constantin Brehnescu participated in national and international festivals in France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Croatia. With Dorina Tănăsescu, he was involved in the creation of the puppet theatre in Damascus, Syria. Since 1991, he has been teaching in the Department of Puppetry at the University of the Arts in Iaşi.

(See Romania.)