My First Marionette

Puppets are one of the most fascinating yet complex forms of puppet theater. Traditional marionettes are made of wood and are controlled using strings or wires attached to a crossbar or a T-shaped holder. The most complex marionettes can have more than 30 strings to control different body parts, from the arms and legs to the head and even the fingers. The most skilled puppeteers can create a full range of emotions with small and subtle movements of the strings, bringing the puppet to life.

All puppet theater enthusiasts are invited to a 3-day workshop where we will learn to make a real wooden marionette. On the first day, we will be introduced to different types of puppets and the structure of wooden marionettes, and we will immediately start sketching and cutting out individual parts of our puppet. On the second day, we will create the head of the puppet and refine and sand the parts of the marionette, which we will also paint. On the final day, we will assemble the parts of the puppet and attach the arms and legs to the wooden holder. To finish, we will learn how to animate the marionette and perform a short puppet scene.

Duration: 3 sessions, each 4 hours

• Thursday, January 16, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Thursday, January 23, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Thursday, January 30, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Prerequisite:

YES. Basic manual skills are preferred. The program is intended for anyone who wants to explore and learn puppetry and create their own marionette.

About the mentors:

The workshop will be led by Špela Ulaga, a self-employed artist in culture and a member of the Marionette Theater Society Jurček, where she creates puppets, props, and performs as an animator. She uses creative work methods and modern technology in her work, with a strong emphasis on preserving the tradition of marionette theater.

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Participants should gather 15 minutes before the scheduled start time in the entrance hall of Center Rog. Please store your personal belongings in the lockers, which the mentor will show you. Please be on time, as late arrivals disrupt the workflow. In the case of a delay, entry to the lab cannot be guaranteed.

The program will be conducted in Slovenian unless otherwise stated. In case of cancellation, you will be notified two days before the scheduled start.

If you are unable to attend the program, the registration fee is non-refundable, and it is not possible to change the date. You can transfer your participation to another person, but please notify us at least 24 hours before the program begins at the email address: les@center-rog.si

We look forward to your company and creative collaboration.