Object Puppetry
Dead Puppet Society
Booking Details
Event details
This workshop is an exciting look into the more surprising and quirky aspects of puppetry and abstract performance. Based on the techniques for imaginative play developed by Dead Puppet Society, this workshop expands the notions of puppetry beyond simple built objects and encourages students to think outside the box and explore the limits of theatrical storytelling.
Using found objects, their bodies, and simple materials, students are guided through the elements of puppet poetics, including movement quality, shape and apophenia, as they create impossible and yet deeply engaging characters that exploit the unique potential offered by puppets in live performance. In this workshop, the boundaries between the performer and puppet begin to fade as physical reality gives way to the imagination.
Students will:
– Be introduced to Object & Abstract Puppetry as a form
– Create multiple characters using household objects
– Learn the core principles of Puppetry (Focus, Breath and Gravity)
– Develop puppet manipulation and transformation skills
– Build games and scenes for these characters to live in
Workshop content includes:
– Imaginative play with household objects
– Creation of multiple characters and their vocalisations
– Introduction of puppet manipulation skills
– Devising small scale visual theatre performances
SUITABILITY
Primary Year Levels 4-6
Secondary Year Levels 7-12
CAPACITY
Up to 30 students
TIME
Single workshop (60-120 minutes) or full day workshop
COST
$550 + GST for a single workshop
$900 + GST for two workshop sessions in a day ($450 per session)
$1,100 + GST for a full day workshop
All materials included
Please note a travel fee may be applicable and can be outlined on quotation.
Extend your session: a single workshop can be extended for an additional $200 + GST per hour.
Key learning outcomes
Drama Assessment Units
Unit 2 – Share, Dramatic Concept, Unit 4 – Transform, Exploring and responding, Developing practices and skills
Dramatic Forms & Styles
Visual Theatre including Object Theatre, Contemporary Theatre including Design-Led Theatre, Puppetry, Children’s Theatre, Devising, Ensemble Performance
Dramatic Conventions
Design Elements, Puppetry, Openness of form, Hybridity, Ensemble, Fluidity of Space, Surreal Transformations, Shadow Screen, Poetic Imagery
General Capabilities
Critical and creative thinking
Additional Information
Room Requirements
- Classroom large enough for all participants
- 5 x trestle tables/desks
- 30mins set up time
- 30mins pack down time
Contact Helen Stephens for Object Puppetry
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About the Artist
Dead Puppet Society is a production house based in Brisbane, offering a variety of theatrical productions and activations, alongside a well established education program.
Our program of workshops and residencies has grown to reflect our evolution as a company of theatre makers, and the changes in drama classes and curriculums. All of our offerings can be tailored to suit your needs, wherever your school is based, and whatever your classroom size.
Our suite of workshops options include:
– Puppet manipulation
– Puppet construction
– Shadow puppetry
– Object puppetry
– Visual theatre
All of which are suitable for groups of up to 30 students in Primary and Secondary school.
These workshops offer students a foundational learning of Dead Puppet Society’s principles of puppetry and instant devising techniques, available to them when building scenes with puppets. No matter the style of theatre, these workshops will demystify the form and allow for students to create moments of wonder and poetic meaning.
Throughout the workshops students will be introduced to puppet manipulation skills, learn about the biomechanics of movement and the core principles of puppetry (focus, breath and gravity), explore design and form, and build language and performance skills specific to the workshop’s theatrical form.
Our workshops are also available digitally on the Digital Stage streaming platform. Designed to provide meaningful arts experiences for students and educators all over Australia, these unique workshops allow participants to learn at their own pace, and be guided through a series of exercises using common household and classroom materials to gain skills in both design and performance that are fundamental to visual theatre practice.
In addition to one-off workshops, our artists can work with schools and theatre programs on longer, more intensive projects. We can tailor a process that provides a deeply insightful experience, whether this be through devising a new work, designing and building custom puppets, or rehearsing and presenting an existing text using visual methods. If you have a unit of work, theatre project, play or musical where a long form collaboration would suit, we’d love to talk about how we can help..
Dead Puppet Society has productions available for hire through QPAC’s Digital Stage platform, including The Wider Earth, which is one of the QCAA prescribed live performance texts. For more information, go to https://digitalstage.qpac.com.au/home.
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