About the Workshop:

A workshop for professional performers, artists and creatives in Lincolnshire who would like to learn the basics of puppetry performance. Perfect for anyone who is curious about puppetry, who would like to add another skill to their CV, or wants a bit of a confidence boost before puppetry auditions.

This workshop will introduce participants to the basic tenets of animating a puppet, which include creating breath, weight/gravity, focus and thought. The session will consist of a series of physical exercises where participants will use their own bodies, household objects, and finally simple paper puppets they’ll make during the workshop to learn how to bring a puppet to life, through discovering these basic techniques for solo puppetry performance.

Although this is a physical workshop, adjustments can be made so that participants with different access needs can take part. At the end of the workshop there will be an informal Q&A, where participants will have the chance to reflect on discoveries they’ve made during the session, and ask questions about working professionally as a puppeteer, and how they can go on to incorporate puppetry into their own performance work in the future.

About Jane:

Jane trained at the Arts University Bournemouth, and has worked professionally as a performer, producer, theatre-maker, actor-musician and puppeteer for the past 10 years.

Previous stage credits include the UK tour of Doctor Dolittle – The Musical, The Paper Dolls for Little Angel Theatre and Polka Theatre, two productions of Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas, Brassed Off for Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, various shows for Tangled Feet, including All That Is Solid Melts Into Air at the National Theatre, and The Flying Roast Goose for Out of Chaos and Yellow Earth Theatre. Screen work includes the guest lead role of Abigail Robbins in Holby City (BBC), Svengali (Root Films) and the award-winning Train of Thought (Leo Bridle Films). Jane was part of the choreography team for One Million - The Great North Run Opening Ceremony, and was a dancer in the London Olympics Opening Ceremony. 

She runs award-winning Lincolnshire-based puppetry company Barmpot Theatre, whose shows include Penguinpig and Nature Elly, and has taught numerous puppetry, craft and drama workshops to school children, teenagers and adult learners through her work with Barmpot Theatre, and as a freelance workshop facilitator.

Who's it for?

Age 18+

This workshop is for adult professional performers, artists and creatives of all ages and abilities, who are new to puppetry performance and would like to learn more about this art form, with a max of 15. This will not be a workshop to learn how to make a puppet, although puppet makers are very welcome to join.

Participants will only need a few sheets or a roll of paper, some tape, and some small objects they can find around the house. We would also recommend they wear loose clothing they can move in, and clear a bit of space in the room they’re in so they can work on the floor comfortably. If working on the floor is difficult, participants can do the exercises seated at a table instead.

The session will be delivered online using Zoom. A link to the workshop will be sent 24 hours before it takes place.