UT INFORMAL CLASS: Puppet Performance

[sara farr]

Hey guys,

If you like improvising, playing and having fun... then puppets are a natural progression. At least that's what I found.

As far as I know, everyone that's played with the Puppet Improv Project (many trained right here in the AIC) have had fun. But the PIP doesn't have room in every show to cast everyone that wants to play and improvise with puppets. That means we don't get to play with all our adorable PIP veterans, let alone the new guys we haven't met yet. There are even more performers out there who are curious about puppets, but haven't had a chance to try it. It's these guys who have inspired me to step up our puppet course offerings.

Over the past year I have had a lot of ppl ask me when I will start offering extended puppet training, rather than just the one-off weekend workshops we have been teaching. Well NOW is the time!! This Summer 2013 we've got two great classes -- combined, they create an experience similar to working out and rehearsing with the PIP in a show, but in THIS case, the show is whatever YOU design.

The first starts next Tuesday night and is called "Puppet Performance". We use improv and blank scripts, along with other improvisational exercises to cover the basics of "animating" a puppet for a theatrical audience, and creating engaging characters that can hold their attention. This class runs Tuesday nights through June. Some puppet manipulation experience is recommended, but not totally necessary. Those basic skills are reviewed at the start of each class, then we go into building those muscles so we can begin the heavy lifting of character development through movement and voice. A good foundation from the basics of improv will give you a giant leg up.

The second is "Puppet Narratives" and runs through the Tuesday nights in July. In this class, students will shape the show that we will work on as we study how puppetry extends the reach of storytelling beyond the boundaries of our bodies and our environments. We will use improv and character to develop a script and collaboratively create a show. Don't miss this!! Some puppet manipulation experience is a must for this one. If you've studied narrative improv, you will be able to power blast the sock(puppet)s off this class!

Both these classes are a STEAL! I try to make the courses affordable so performers, teachers, and starving artists can take them. You get 4 weeks with a weekly class. That's $25 a class of puppet training and character work in a small class, with individualized instruction. It's not too late to sign up for both!

Sign up today!!!

Puppet Performance Class
This four (4) week class is for those who want to continue the development of their basic Puppet Manipulation skills. You will use monologues and scenes to develop your puppet manipulation skills. We will practice using voice and movement to generate a variety of characters, and how to ground those characters through a specific attitude or world view.

PREREQ: Some puppet manipulation experience
TEACHER: Sara Farr
REQUIRED SUPPLIES: none -- you are welcome to bring your own puppets, but puppets will also be provided
DATE: Tuesdays 6/4/13 to 6/25/13
TIME: 7-9pm
LOCATION: The University of Texas, Thompson Convention Center
COST: $100
REGISTRATION: http://cie.austin.utexas.edu/informalcl ... um=IC13704

Puppet Narrative Class
This four (4) week class is for those interested in telling stories through puppetry. We will explore how to take a general concept for a short play and make it specific though personal viewpoints. We will use exercises in manipulating time and space to reveal or conceal information, as well as how tension and rhythm can build narratives in which audiences make connections to the invisible world based on their own lives.

PREREQ: Some puppet manipulation experience;
TEACHER: Sara Farr
REQUIRED SUPPLIES: none -- you are welcome to bring your own puppets, but puppets will also be provided
DATE: Tuesdays 7/9/13 to 7/30/13
TIME: 7-9pm
LOCATION: The University of Texas, Thompson Convention Center
COST: $100
REGISTRATION: http://cie.austin.utexas.edu/informalcl ... um=IC13705