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Course Title
Puppetry in Motion with Toby Olié
Puppets have increasingly been taking centre stage in productions across the world. They have a unique ability to engage and expand an audience’s understanding of a character - none more so than when a puppet is intricately animated by multiple puppeteers.
This three week intensive programme offers those developing a passion for puppetry a unique insight into the theatre-making process with puppets. Participants will explore both the skills and expertise required to animate characters collectively, and focus on their strongest means of communication through the creation of bespoke performances.
Led by Puppetry Director/Designer and Central alumni Toby Olié, it promises to be a playful and rigorous opportunity to learn, develop and create alongside one of the country’s leading practitioners of the art form.
Course Outline
Week One
- Discovering the principles of puppet animation, using a range of materials and objects.
- Developing a sense of ‘physical listening’ and improvisation by working as an ensemble.
- Learning to collectively animate a character in groups.
Week Two
- Exploring puppets interacting with actors.
- Developing and performing narratives that demand the use of puppetry.
- Experimenting with abstract vs naturalism in a puppet’s expression.
Week Three
- Devise and perform a final piece of puppet theatre to consolidate your new skills.
- Showcase of the finished performance followed by a networking event.
Course Fee - £1500
Course Dates
Due to circumstances beyond our control we have had to postpone Toby Olié’s Puppetry in Motion Course this summer. We hope to reschedule this for a later date.
This course is aimed at those over the age of 21 who have already trained in a performance or theatre-making discipline eg. acting, dance, physical theatre, and are looking to expand their skill set.
Previous puppetry experience isn’t necessary, but a collaborative and creative mindset is essential for this highly physical, intensive course.
| Days | Various. This course is delivered over 3 weeks. |
| Times | All times listed are either GMT or GMT +1 (depending on the time of year). If you’re joining from overseas, please use a timezone convertor before booking to establish what the local time will be for you. |
| Age | The minimum age is 21 on the first day of the course. There is no upper age limit. |
| Max. class size | 18 students |
| Course Delivery | All of the Summer Short Courses take place onsite at our Swiss Cottage campus in London. |
| International students | We welcome International Students to our courses, however please ensure you are on the correct visa. As our Summer Short Courses are classed as part-time, non-accredited short courses they are not eligible for a Tier 4 Student Visa however you may be eligible for a Short Term Study Visa. |
| Language requirements | Applicants must be confident speaking and reading English to a conversational level (IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent). You may be expected to read texts/scripts that have advanced vocabulary. |
| Attendance | Due to the structure and the collaborative nature of the courses, full attendance is requested. |
| Refunds | We are able to offer a full refund up until 14 days before the course begins. After this, the course will become fully non-refundable. |
| Cancellations | Central reserves the right to cancel this course if we do not meet the minimum number of participants. In this instance, a full refund will be made to you. We are unable to refund any other costs you may have incurred. |
We have a limited number of bursary places available for this course.
To be eligible, you must live in England and meet one of the following criteria:
- I am from a black or global majority background
- I have a registered disability
To apply, please complete a bursary application form in addition to your application for the course.
A member of the team will be in touch with the outcome 2 weeks prior to the start of the course. If you have any questions, please contact us at short.courses@cssd.ac.uk.
Course Tutor
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