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Puppetry workshops
OUR WORKSHOPS
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We offer a range of academic and community workshops.
Our academic sessions teach the fundamental skills of a puppetry through industry-level training and are available for pupils from KS2 to degree level. Students are guided through a wide range of solo and group exercises and sessions end with a sharing of the work created. These workshops are especially beneficial during devising modules.
Our community workshops create a space where everyone is supported and all voices are heard. In these exciting sessions, we share the key skills of puppetry and guide participants through multiple exercises that promote teamwork and discovery through play. These workshops are suitable for ages 10+, with mixed age group sessions possible.
We have three different types of workshops available. To learn more about these, click here. Every Animate member is a highly experienced facilitator with DBS certification and PLI insurance.
ASSAULT COURSE & DANCE BATTLE
Our Assault Course and Dance Battle challenges let groups practice in exciting scenarios! See below for more details on both.
Students and puppets team up to tackle our exciting ASSAULT COURSE challenge! Inspired by the legendary 'Tough Mudder' competition, teams test their new-found skills as they climb, crawl, and swing their way around the circuit. We use the furniture at your venue to create the track, meaning no two courses are ever the same! Available in our two of our three sessions, this is a highlight of our workshop offer.
Bust out your best moves, it's time to find out who is the best dancer in the room with THE ANIMATE DANCE BATTLE! Using their choice of music, teams create routines before facing off in the hotly contested battle royale! Expert judges are on hand to score on technique, creativity, and flair before crowning the ultimate winner!
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PAST CLIENTS INCLUDE
REVIEWS
"From our initial meeting, I knew that Stephen and Lucas were going to provide a carefully prepared, well-planned, and highly skilled workshop for our students and my expectations were surpassed. Bringing their knowledge and skills of puppetry from the West End and beyond, our BA Acting students were challenged, inspired, and left wanting to engage with more puppetry and object manipulation. The workshops give students the tools to explore puppetry further and prepare them for auditions that require puppetry in the future, but also offer the rigour, physical discipline, and storytelling that is required for any actor. I am amazed with what the students were able to create in three days of workshops and the skills that they continue to use since" Ben Buratta - Course Leader BA Acting (Collaborative and Devised Theatre), Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
“Thanks so much, it was such a great workshop. So informative and fun at the same time! The students are still buzzing about it. Both Stephen and Lucas were so engaging and supportive of the students. We had lots of shouts of ‘best workshop I have ever done’. It was inspiring and so thought provoking. Especially the time you took to give advice and support with regards to the Q&A too” Natalie Midworth, Head of Drama, Lytchett Minster Sixth Form
“Thank you to Stephen and Animate for delivering a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable community workshop during our Children’s Festival. Extremely professional from planning to delivery, and able to adapt quickly to a brand new group with participants who had never met before. I hope you are able to deliver more workshops with the West End Centre in the future, and would highly recommend Animate for community workshops” Alana Long, Community Programmes Manager at the West End Centre
“Thank you for the wonderful day you did with the Year 4 girls. The students at High March had an amazing time at the workshop, learning puppetry skills and teamwork through creative games and challenges. Huge thanks to the Animate team for such a fun and enriching experience. We can’t wait to have them back again” Sophie Leigh-Barcley, Head of Drama, High March School
"I thought it was great! It introduced the students to the world of puppetry beautifully, including it's professional and work-based context. It was exciting, fun, and engaging" Rebecca Mutimer, The Burgate School
"I just wanted to thank Animate for the fantastic workshop they ran at Studio Theatre. It was great fun, incredibly informative and inspiring. I’m amazed how much you got us through in such a short amount of time" - George, community workshop participant, Studio Theatre Salisbury
“We all enjoyed the day and learning how to use the puppets to tell stories. The skills of collaboration and teamwork were emphasised throughout the day, which our next exam needs. The course leaders were both inspiring and supportive of the students and their needs/abilities. I highly recommend Animate and the work that they do” Louise Dee, Heads of Arts, Bluecoat Beechdale
“Everyone at Studio Theatre had a marvellous time and very much appreciated your expertise and encouragement. I love that it worked equally well across the age ranges and different levels of ability” - Lesley, community workshop participant, Studio Theatre Salisbury
"I had an incredible experience at Animate Puppet Co and Parker Puppetry’s workshop! From the moment I walked in, it was clear that this is a space where creativity and fun come to life. The atmosphere was welcoming, playful, and inclusive, making it the perfect environment to learn and expand my knowledge of puppeteering. The facilitators were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about sharing their craft, and they made sure everyone, no matter their experience level, feel involved and inspired. The hands-on approach to learning was fantastic, and I loved how each session was a mix of playfulness and valuable technique. The variety of puppets, styles, and approaches to performance opened my eyes to how diverse and exciting the world of puppeteering can be. I walked away feeling more connected to a wonderful community, and full of new ideas to try out in my own work. If you're looking to dive into puppetry in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment, a Animate Puppet Co and Parker Puppetry workshop is the place to be" Morgan Ellis, actor
"Animate are an excellent company with a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging workshop offer. I would thoroughly recommend them!" Will Pickering - Engage Co-ordinator, Southampton Mayflower
"Animate Puppet Co. came to St Swithun’s School to deliver a series of workshops aimed to 11 -12 years old. The girls loved every minute of it. Stephen & Lucas delivered well planned sessions which engaged our students with puppetry and object manipulation; to the extent that we have now prepared a project using their techniques" Pepe Gudiño Resendiz – Head of Drama at St Swithun’s School, Winchester
"Thank you so much for your work, I have heard wonderful things from our students. The images/videos are excellent!" Natasha Harrison - Senior Lecturer, UAL Wimbledon College of the Arts
"Thanks SO much for the workshop... it's always good but it was even better this year with all the added extra bits! A really valuable experience for the students!" Ruth Oldroyd - Head of Performing Arts, Peter Symonds College
MEET THE TEAM
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STEPHEN
Creative Director
DAISY
Facilitator
Stephen is an actor, puppeteer, creature artist, and the founder & Creative Director of Animate Puppet Co. He has worked with puppets across stage and screen and adores the playful, magical, and often mischievous nature of the beings brought to life! Stephen's credits include; Doctor Who (BBC), Warhorse (The National Theatre), The Crown & Behind Her Eyes (Netflix), The Peripheral (Amazon), The Great (Hulu), Gnomus (Puppets with Guts), Dracula & Princess and the Pea (Proteus Theatre). Stephen's website is: www.stephenlove.co.uk and his pronouns are he/him.
Daisy is an actor, playwright, screenwriter, and puppeteer. Puppetry credits including Alice in Wonderland (UK Tour), Albert’s Wondrous Voyage (Royal Albert Hall), Out of This World (Little Angel Theatre), Mulan Rouge (The Vaults). Playwright credits: Mr Toad (UK Tour, written for Wise Owl Theatre). Daisy is also a freelance facilitator, educator, and consultant for institutions including Royal Museums Greenwich, The Wallace Collection, Dulwich Picture Gallery, and London Transport Museum. She specialises in workshops for young children and families. Daisy's pronouns are she/her.
LUCAS
Facilitator
Lucas is an actor, puppeteer, and musician who has worked across theatre and television. Lucas trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and his credits include; Warhorse (National Theatre), Kes (Leeds Playhouse), The Butterfly Lion (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Run sister Run (Paines Plough/Sheffield Theatres), Masters of the Air (Apple TV), The Witcher: Blood Origin (Netflix), Casualty and Worzel Gummidge (BBC), Ride Out (Funfar Oy). Lucas's pronouns are he/him.
MARY
Facilitator
Mary Is an actor, vocalist, and puppeteer with over 15 years industry experience. Her credits include: Treasure Island (Haymarket Theatre), The Owl who Came for Christmas (The Curve, Leicester), Fools Gold (The Curve, Leicester), Goldman Sachs X Campaign (Pavillion Works), The Puppeteer (Martha Kent), Brimstone (Autin Dance Theatre). Mary is an Arts Council Funded theatre maker, lead facilitator for several theatres and arts organisations, and trained teacher. Mary's pronouns are she/her.
RU
Facilitator
Ru is a queer, non-binary, multidisciplinary artist from the West Country and the founder of ‘Tailwind Physical Theatre’. Ru creates eclectic ensemble work using elaborate contemporary choreography, puppetry, dynamic sound scores, and text to create transcendent worlds that immerse audiences and are inspired by pressing environmental and socio-economic issues. Ru graduated from East15 Acting schools, BA Acting and Physical Theatre, is trained in Gecko Theatre technique. Ru's pronouns are they/them.
REBECCA
Facilitator
Rebecca is an actor, director, facilitator, and producer, both nationally and internationally, and adores the creativity that puppetry brings to a piece. Rebecca's credits include: Creator and Puppeteer of 'Jane Austen: A Literary Promenade' (Hat Fair), 878 AD (Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Ubisoft, HCT), West End Workshops (Wicked & The Lion King), Devising Masterclass (Equity London), Alice in Wonderland (Brighton Pride). She is also the Associate Director of Blue Apple Theatre. Rebecca's pronouns are she/her.