A comprehensive curriculum to build your practice​

Curriculum Overview

Movement — As a means for better understanding the potential for puppetry articulation, we’ll explore our own personal sense of movement through exercises in Laban Dynamics, flocking, and Viewpoints. Short hikes and expeditions to the local swimming hole will also ensure a fitness of body and mind.

Performance and play — Exercises in performance that allow for the deconstruction of our ideas of what a puppet is, and can be. We’ll explore the potential for puppetry through abstract forms, larval shapes, and other unexpected notions. Simple paper and tape constructions will be a starting point . . . fabric and pieces of clothing will help us experience less literal notions.

Design — The abstract/realism continuum; emotion and tone; larval lumps, character design; technical drawings

Sculpting & Casting— Water based clay sculpting; mold making and paper casting; basic wood carving skills

Painting — Planning, mixing, washes, scumbling, dry-brush, color, multimedia techniques

Controls — Discussion of effective control mechanisms for different situations

Joints — Leather, fabric, interlocking, ball and socket, carving wooden joinery

Hansjürgen Fettig — Discussion of designs and mechanisms 

Costuming — Simple patterning and sewing

Lantern Puppet Design — We will set aside time to build illuminated, lantern-puppets for a pop-up night-time performance.
​

​This program is supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.