MarionettArt Accademia della Figura
TEATRO DEL LAVORO - THÉÂTRE DU TRAVAIL
THEATRE OF THE WORK - TEATRO DEL TRABAJO
Teacher Stephen Mottram
from 4th to 11th October 2014
The Secret of Fundamental Marionette
Marionette Design and construction with Stephen Mottram
The aim of the workshop with Stephen Mottram is to show how the construction
and design of the marionette can be informed by a knowledge of movement to
give “dignity and elegance” – and thereby theatricality - to the marionette in
performance. We will look at the way identifiable movement qualities can be
constructed into the marionette to give it the potential for shockingly realistic
movement.
The workshop is aimed both at performers who experience puppet theatre for the
first time and at performers with craft experience and at puppet makers wanting
to develop their understanding and abilities with marionettes. We will study
design issues and historical approaches to the string puppet.
At the end of the stage (8 days), each participant will make a modern, performable
marionette to take away with them.
We will work primarily in wood, and although experience of cutting and shaping
wood will be an advantage, the course will still be suitable for people with little
experience of working in the medium. There is a short list of tools participants
are expected to bring with them: 3 chisels, a small saw, a knife for carving,
pliers, etc (not expensive – after application participants will receive the list).
TEATRO DEL LAVORO - THÉÂTRE DU TRAVAIL
THEATRE OF THE WORK - TEATRO DEL TRABAJO
Teacher Stephen Mottram
from 4th to 11th October 2014
The Secret of Fundamental Marionette
Marionette Design and construction with Stephen Mottram
The aim of the workshop with Stephen Mottram is to show how the construction
and design of the marionette can be informed by a knowledge of movement to
give “dignity and elegance” – and thereby theatricality - to the marionette in
performance. We will look at the way identifiable movement qualities can be
constructed into the marionette to give it the potential for shockingly realistic
movement.
The workshop is aimed both at performers who experience puppet theatre for the
first time and at performers with craft experience and at puppet makers wanting
to develop their understanding and abilities with marionettes. We will study
design issues and historical approaches to the string puppet.
At the end of the stage (8 days), each participant will make a modern, performable
marionette to take away with them.
We will work primarily in wood, and although experience of cutting and shaping
wood will be an advantage, the course will still be suitable for people with little
experience of working in the medium. There is a short list of tools participants
are expected to bring with them: 3 chisels, a small saw, a knife for carving,
pliers, etc (not expensive – after application participants will receive the list).
Stephen Mottram - Grait Britain
Stephen Mottram is recognized as one of the most important puppet maker and
performer of string puppets.
He has already held workshops on marionette design and construction all
around the world; the latest at the Institut International de la Marionnette of
Charleville Mezieres, the most important school on puppet theatre in the world.
There, he also performed during the World Festival of Puppet Theater in 2009.
He began to work with a troupe of traditional puppets performing shows in
which puppets mimed real actors. Then he won a scholarship to attend the Hungarian
State Puppets Theatre
School in Budapest and this experience opened his eyes to the great potential of
this form of art and theatre in general.