DTV2200 Puppet Theatre Course description

Puppet theatre is an art form where figures and objects are brought to life by the puppeteer/actor manipulating them. Puppet theatre can be cultivated as a separate art form or integrated into ordinary theatre and also exists in various mixed forms.

The course shall provide a basis for organising and staging puppet theatre for and with children, young people and adults, and aims to give students a basic introduction to different aspects of the field. Puppet theatre is very well suited as a teaching tool and as a form of expression in different production -works In addition to students in the bachelor’s programme, the target group is actors, theatre workers, teachers,  and other culture workers.

There is a 100% overlap with the course ZFIG1 Puppet Theatre 1. Applicants may be able to take this course as an individual course if there are vacant places.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has knowledge of the possibilities of puppet theatre - artistic and didactic
• has knowledge of materials, form and colour linked to puppet theatre
• is familiar with the history, traditions and distinctive nature of puppet theatre and its place in society
• is familiar with research and development work in the field of puppet theatre
• has knowledge of the structure of a production
• has knowledge of role embodiment and characterisation
• has knowledge of the interaction between puppet and actor

Skills

The student:

• has basic skills in acting with puppets and objects
• is capable of making simple puppets for use on stage
• is capable of making simple scenic spaces for puppet theatre
• is capable of developing a dramaturgical and visual understanding of the puppet and space
• is capable of analysing, documenting and assessing practical artistic work
• is capable of using different search tools to find sources for assignments and project work        
• is capable of assessing and referring to specialist literature that can shed light on an issue

General competence

The student: 

• is capable of planning, staging and assessing puppet theatre productions for the target groups children, young people or adults
• is capable of discussing artistic choices and contributing to the development of good practice
• is capable of communicating important theories, issues and solutions in the field, both orally and in writing
• is familiar with new thinking and innovation processes in the field of puppet theatre

The course comprises four main areas:

• Acting with puppets
• The puppet in the scenic space  
• Puppet theatre and storytelling techniques
• Theory and subject didactics  

Most of the work will take place in workshops and seminars. The students will test different ideas and techniques and subsequently analyse the work. They will have responsibility for organising and carrying out their own group work. The students must therefore set aside time for individual work and group practice outside the ordinary time spent on teaching.

Lectures, workshops, discussions, presentations, assessment and excursions linked to the students’ understanding of the discipline and development of own practice. Study trips can be organised to relevant puppet theatre festivals/communities

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• workshop and performance work
• internal group performances
• The students shall also stage a puppet theatre performance of at least ten minutes’ duration for an audience of children, young people and adults.

Compulsory attendance at teaching activities: The students cannot be absent for more than 20% of teaching and supervision activities subject to an attendance and participation requirement.

The exam in the course is twofold:

1. Development assignment - individual

The elements that are emphasised in the final assessment are whether the student demonstrates satisfactory knowledge of puppet theatre as a form of theatre and the student’s ability to discuss methods and issues in light of relevant theory.

The assignment shall have a scope of max. 20 pages and be assessed by an internal examiner. The course may be selected for grading by external examiners. The assessment of the development assignment counts for 40% of the final pass grade. The result of the exam can be appealed.

1. Practical performance exam - group

A group performance of approx. 30 minutes’ duration. Assessment of the performance with subsequent oral problematisation, discussion and assessment. Four weeks’ preparation time is given. The exam is assessed by two examiners. The course may be selected for grading by external examiners.

The assessment will be based on:

• aesthetic and ethical criteria
• artistic qualities
• suitability in relation to the target group

After the performance, the group shall reflect on and analyse both the process and product in conversation with the internal and external examiner. The group conversation is included as part of the assessment.

The practical performance exam counts for 60% of the grade.

The result of the exam cannot be appealed.

Assessment

A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass (with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest pass grade) and F for fail is used for the final assessment. 

In some cases, the practical/oral group exams can be held as individual exams.

Both parts of the exams must be awarded the grade E or better in order for the student to pass the course

A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass (with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest pass grade) and F for fail is used for the final assessment.