Traditional Chinese Hand Puppetry Masterclass 2022
Date:
April – June, 8-10 weeks (Every Thursday)
Time:
7.30pm – 10.30pm (Subject to change)
Venue:
Tree House @ Paper Monkey Theatre
Goodman Arts Centre
90 Goodman Road, Blk B, #01-05
Singapore 439053
No. of classes:
8 – 10 sessions
Course Fee:
No course fee required.
However, participants are advised to enroll with a commitment to the class schedule an open mind throughout the course.
A $300 deposit will be paid before class commences and returned after it ends.
Enquiries:
For any further enquiries, please contact Megan.
About Paper Monkey Puppetry Masterclass
Paper Monkey Masterclass started from the urgent need to address the dwindling number of puppeteers and artists who possesses puppetry skill sets in Singapore, which greatly places this art form at risk of losing its relevance.
Our Masterclass seeks to provide foundational training for puppetry to arts practitioners, with a focus on it as a core discipline. It hopes to sustain its relevance by inspiring more practitioners to develop a love and deep passion for puppetry, and to encourage the production of more puppetry works thereafter, and for the future generations to gain access to this art form.
It is a pity that many puppetry masters have passed. During the 60s & 70s, puppetry was at its peak. Today, people are surprised when they know that puppeteers still exist… Paper Monkey felt the need to have Masterclass so that we can pass on not just the traditional, but also modern techniques of puppetry.
What Can You Achieve?
Masterclass focuses on a specific form of puppetry every year. This year, we are launching classes for ‘Traditional Chinese Hand Puppetry’.
Participants will sit through 8 – 10 lessons with mix of theory and practical sessions that introduce its history, manipulation techniques, logic and skills of puppet building and making, as well as movement planning. For a holistic learning experience, the course will end off with practical application of skills acquired during the masterclass through participating in a Paper Monkey’s main season production happening in September 2022 (subject to changes).
Participants will receive a separate agreement for their participation in a main season production.
Requirements
Interested applicants need not have experience in puppetry, however, should have at least 2 years of relevant performing arts or theatre training, as well as a deep passion for the performing arts.
Please still write-in to us if you do not have the above-mentioned experience.
Application
Interested applicants may email your CV + letter of interest to us. We will contact you shortly for an interview.
A letter of agreement will be issued to masterclass participants upon successful application.
A total of 8 – 10 applicants will be selected to participate in Masterclass 2022.
Application Process
14th January 2021: Application opens
18th February 2021: Application closes
21st – 28th February: Interview + selection
Mid-March Successful applicants will be contacted
7th Apr – 9th Jun: Masterclass Traditional Chinese Hand Puppetry
Course Fee
No course fee required. However, participants are advised to enrol with a commitment to the class schedule an open mind throughout the course. A $300 deposit will be paid before class commences and returned after it ends.
Tentative Programme Outline and Schedule
Participants should be committed to make themselves available, particularly during the masterclass training period from week 1 – 10. The number of classes (8 – 10 sessions) are subjected to changes based on the pace, progress and the needs of the participants.
| Week | Date | Key Activity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 Apr | Introduction to Hand Puppetry | Masterclass – Compulsory |
| 2 | 14 Apr | ||
| 3 | 21 Apr | Hand Puppet Manipulation – Hand Stretches – Basic Hand Puppetry Fighting Techniques |
|
| 4 | 28 Apr | ||
| 5 | 5 May | ||
| 6 | 12 May | ||
| 7 | 19 May | Designing and Building Puppets | |
| 8 | 26 May | ||
| 9 | 2 Jun | ||
| 10 | 9 Jun | ||
| 11 – 13 | Rest | Rest | Main Season Production |
| 14-17 | July | Production Rehearsals Chinese Diction Classes |
|
| 18-19 | Rest | Rest | |
| 20-21 | Mid-End Aug | Production Rehearsal | |
| 22 | Early Sept | Show Dates TBC |
About The Instructor
Benjamin Ho had a long history with the arts and puppetry. He was trained by the late Li Bo Fen, China’s acclaimed puppet artist. Besides his role as the artistic director of a children’s puppetry company Paper Monkey Theatre, he is also currently the president of UNIMA SG (United Nation of International Marionette Association).
As an arts educator, Benjamin Ho created an avenue where the young of today can understand and enjoy the rich cultures of Asia through puppetry. He has shared his great love with local audience through many productions with companies, such as TheatreWorks, The Theatre Practice, The Finger Players, Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble, The Necessary Stage, W!ld Rice and Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts and Cultural Troupe; and audience abroad through participation of various puppetry festivals in Asia and Europe.
In 2017, his production – The Magic Lantern was awarded the Best Production for the Young by 2017 M1-The Straits Times Life Theatre Award.
