Hakan Odabaşı

Hakan Odabaşı is a Turkish ballet dancer and puppeteer who has performed Minik Kus on the Turkish co-production of Sesame Street, Susam Sokağı. The only other Turkish puppeteer he worked with was Erdinc Dogan who played Kirpik while Ozgen Eldek did the right hand. It's a pity the co-production only lasted for three years (1989-1991), then Hakan would have met more Turkish puppeteers, if there were any. At least Odabaşı gave puppetry a chance for a while before pursuing his ballet career. Apart from Susam Sokağı, he is mostly a ballet dancer who has performed in many shows, with his career beginning with the Ankara State Opera and Ballet. As a featured soloist, some of his performances have included Hamlet, Count Dracula, Cinderella, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Romeo and Juliet, to name a few. In addition to performing ballet dances, Hakan Odabaşı is also the artistic ballet director for the Kulis Sanat theater school. He is probably the only Turkish ballet dancer to puppeteer as well as Susam Sokağı didn't last very long and nobody from Turkey could puppeteer on the show. Let's hope that he's still performing ballet today because no one can get information about him from online, at least I don't think anyone can. But if someone has some info about Hakan, then they should translate it into the respective language so people can understand more about this performer. Odabaşı is still considered one of those people to try and bring puppetry to Turkish television. It may not have been successful for very long, but at least Sesame Street is trying to reach some countries who really need the educational format. You never know when Sesame Workshop will do another international co-production for the near future, because puppetry needs to be revived around the world, including the US. Hakan Odabaşı, you've got such fancy footwork when it comes to ballet performances. And you've done your best to keep the character Minik Kus around on Susam Sokağı. If you still remember the show, think about how much you enjoyed doing it. Beautiful dance steps you have Hakan. Take a bow Odabaşı!

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