THTR 216 Introduction to Puppetry and Visual Theatre
In this introductory course students explore techniques for creating visual and puppet theatre, and the practice of puppet arts. Students will serve as performers, designers, directors, and writers and will collaborate as an ensemble to create original works based on methods learned in the course in a multidisciplinary environment. Throughout the semester, students will engage with a detailed process of writing, researching, designing, fabricating, rehearsing, and performing visual puppet theatre while at the same time developing an aesthetic and cultural understanding of this collaborative and multidisciplinary art form. With a particular focus on manipulation and design, students will explore diverse forms of puppetry such as Shadow, Bunraku, Rod, Pageant, and Toy Theatre. Readings will be drawn from historical and contemporary theorists, scholars, and artists of puppet and visual theatre. Additional time is required for rehearsal and attendance at live visual theatre/puppet performances in New York City.