Masterclass 2024 – Traditional Hand Puppetry
Date:
April – June, 8 weeks, Every Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time:
7.30pm – 10.30pm
Venue:
Paper Monkey Theatre Treehouse, Goodman Arts Centre
90 Goodman Road, Blk B, #01-05
Singapore 439053
No. of classes:
15 sessions
Course Fee:
Fee: $450 for 15 sessions
A $100 deposit will be paid before class commences and returned after it ends. If 100% attendance is not fulfilled without valid reason for absence, the deposit will be forfeited.
Enquiries:
For any further enquiries, please contact us.
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.
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 Learn?
The 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 15 lessons with mix of theory and practical sessions that introduces 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 a presentation on 3 June with audience by invitation only.
Participants can also expect practical application of skills acquired during the masterclass through participating in Paper Monkey’s main season productions, Journey West – Mount Fiery in August and No Strings Attached in December. Participants will receive a separate agreement for their participation in the main season productions.
Requirements
Interested applicants need not have experience in puppetry, however, should have at least 1 year 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 aforementioned experience.
Application Process
12 March 2024: Application opens
29 March 2024: Application closes
30 March – 7 April 2024: Interview + Selection
8 April 2024: Successful applicants will be contacted
16 April – 4 June: Masterclass Traditional Chinese Hand Puppetry
Course Fee
Course Fee $450. Participants are advised to enrol with a commitment to the class. $100 will be returned to participants after completion of the course without invalid absence.
Tentative Programme Outline
Participants should be committed to make themselves available, particularly during the masterclass training period from week 1 – 8. The number of classes (15 sessions) are subjected to changes based on the pace, progress and the needs of the participants.
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.
