Extreme Puppetry

About the workshop:

The workshop focuses on the work of three puppeteers who bring a single puppet to life. The technique originates from Japanese Bunraku puppet theatre, but we are entering the sphere of contemporary puppetry. It will be led by the internationally renowned and multiple award-winning puppet master Mark Down.

What does “extreme puppetry” mean?

It means all in, no stone unturned, no answer final, no process finished, always learning, always growing, always asking “why puppetry?”

Why do this with a puppet?

Because you are a puppeteer. That is what puppeteers do. We should rather ask why do it with this puppet, or these puppets? Because you are this kind of puppeteer.

The workshop will be structured around three activities:

1. SKILLS – Learning to improvise with a three person puppet

Learning to work as individuals and in groups

Working with hands to learn basic principles

Collaborating with an object to bring them to life

Working together to animate “invisible” puppets

Working in groups of three to bring your puppets to life

Using “genre” to improvise scenes

Learning to reproduce improvisations freshly

2. DEVISING – Using improvisation to make scenes

Working in groups to devise scenes with objects and puppets

Presenting scenes to each other for feedback and to find out what we have

Thinking about the role of the puppeteer – costume

Thinking about design and performing in “genre”

Collecting ideas and working as a group to create a narrative

Rehearse the devised material

3. PRESENTATION – A “work in progress” presentation

Choose and rehearse favourite material
Create a quick structure to present it in

Consider the needs of an audience

Marks the end of the week

About the mentor:Mark Down is a director, writer, actor, animator, designer. In 1997 together with Nick Barnes, he co-founded the Blind Summit Theatre that has toured the world with its extraordinary shows, participated in the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games and whose colleagues have been involved in the creation of some of the biggest “puppet” shows in Great Britain. He is the creator of the legendary puppet show The Table.

Duration: 5 days, from Monday to Friday, 8 hours/day

Dates: from 19 to 23 May 2025, between 10:00 and 18:00

Location: Maribor Puppet Theatre

Fee: 250 EUR

Deadline for registration: 16 May 2025 or until available spots are filled

More information and registration: info@moment.si

The masterclass will be held in English.