The course embodies the three concepts of design, performance and theatre-making. Students develop skills in design, sculpture, manipulation, visual performance, animation, movement, voice, devising and collaborative theatre-making. There are opportunities to make, and perform with, puppets in a range of styles and explore the world of object manipulation. All years will develop projects for performance both within, and outside, Central.
The course works closely with professional practitioners and internationally recognised puppet companies, all of whom are experts in their fields. You will benefit from a wide range of visiting lecturers and placements in theatres and with companies worldwide.
The course aims to develop skilled performers with a strong sense of their individual direction and purpose, and who are able to develop independently, as well as in close collaboration with other practitioners. You are encouraged to engage with contemporary practice from the outset, so that you have a clear personal rationale for how you will develop as a practitioner.
Your practical research and development will be underpinned by contextual studies in puppetry and visual theatre performance, including historical and theoretical discussions, and intercultural study of traditional forms and practices.
You will work closely with other students within the Theatre Practice course so that you understand, respect and work effectively with the full range of professional practitioners, in order to appreciate the theatre process and interdisciplinary practice.
Throughout the three years, you will have the opportunity to experience puppetry in a variety of contexts, go on frequent visits to shows, talks and workshops by visiting professionals, and benefit from ongoing collaboration with a number of arts bodies within London and elsewhere.
Year 1
You will be introduced to a range of collaborative and strand-specific projects in which you explore puppet-making processes, principles of movement, voice work, animation and manipulation, application of puppetry skills to specific projects and work collaboratively with other students towards presentation and performance outcomes. You will also undertake strand-specific research to enable you to begin to identify your personal direction.
Year 2
You will collaborate with BA (Hons) Theatre Practice Performance Arts students on an experimental performance project, as well as completing a major puppetry production, which will tour nationally and potentially internationally. You will also collaborate with Applied Theatre students and engage in a project in the community. You will undertake research into different styles and practitioners such as Kantor, Meyerhold and Craig, symbolism, Dada and satire.
Year 3
You will negotiate personal development plans and carry out individual work to deepen your learning in your specific areas of interest. Your personal development plan may be a professional placement with puppet theatre companies, working as an assistant director, in-school training in specific complementary areas, preparing solo work for performance, or an apprenticeship with makers.
