Rod puppetry is
the largest genre of puppetry from Table-top to Japanese
style Otome and all in between. The course time is divided between solo, group work and tutorials. The scale can be extremely varied,
from huge processional figures to the tiniest stick puppets. Finished work will be presented at local schools, and as Living Room Theatre. Coursework includes the study of historical and traditional puppetry, more modern concepts such as table-top, and international styles such as Bunraku style puppetry. We also include two other Japanese forms- Otome, and Pape Sate. Students develop their skills of writing and creating original work for the puppeteer, puppet making and set design and building, running their own rehearsal process and audience studies. This course is at professional level.
Some shared accommodation is available in the house or sometimes with "godmothers" of the school who also have rooms available in the village. This is not a residential course and students may stay wherever they choose. Some students book bed and breakfast accommodation in the village of Grassington. Wherever students decide to stay all meals are shared at the main house where ideas and progress are always discussed over good food.
The first
and last dates of the course are always travel days, often with the
first introductory session on the first evening after travelling.
Please note that you can start the
Diploma Course at any point during the rolling programme. The fees for
the full Diploma are £4050.00 if paid up front before the start of the
course. If you do not wish to take the whole Diploma but are interested
in some intensive study, you can take this module at the cost of
£1350.00.
