Tabletop Puppetry Introduction
Instructor
Fred C Riley III: Fred has taught puppetry to adults at The Center for Puppetry Arts (Atlanta GA), lectured on puppetry at Stanford and trained professional puppeteers in the USA and abroad. He has directed, written and performed in countless performances over the last 30 years.
Course Description
This class will take students through the practice and practical application of Tabletop Puppetry. Over the 2 week course, students will learn to move the puppet alone and how to achieve more complicated movement cooperating with 2 to 3 puppeteers on a human figure. Students will learn conventions of the style and best practices in improving movement through the form.
Learning Objectives
Students will be introduced to the basics of puppet movement, and how to apply those concepts to the Tabletop Puppet. We will explore and apply these concepts through classroom exercises and performances.
Students will:
• apply the concepts of gravity, breath and focus
• analyze movement to apply to puppet performance
• practice the basics of a swing walk
• learn the importance of finding and working within the inherent rhythm built in to each puppet
• explore the areas where puppetry moves beyond the confines of dance and acting, and where the forms intersect
Outcome
This course is meant to lay the groundwork for a greater exploration of Tabletop Puppetry. It is meant to introduce a new storytelling tool as well as help students see the world in a new way. Some will want to take more classes and delve deeper into this Tabletop world, and some will take what they learn to add something new to their current artistic endeavors. Both theater and film (through greenscreen) have embraced this form, so we are trying to give you the tools you need to explore too.