7-day Marionette Making Course with Stephen Mottram
07–13 April 2026 · Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne
British UNIMA is thrilled to share news of this exceptional marionette-making opportunity taking place in the North East of England. Led by renowned puppeteer and maker Stephen Mottram, this intensive seven-day course is presented by Moving Parts Arts CIO, whose work continues to bring people together through creativity, celebration, and puppetry.
Dates & Times
Tuesday 07 April – Monday 13 April 2026
Daily: 10:00 – 17:00
About the Course
This 7-day Marionette Making Course is open to ages 18+ and offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of string puppets.
Participants will each make a fully working marionette based on Stephen Mottram’s own design, capable of an impressive range of movement, including a realistic walk. Puppets are made primarily from wood. While some experience of shaping or cutting wood may be helpful, it is not essential — with care and attention to detail, participants with no prior woodworking experience will be fully supported to produce a successful puppet.
The course covers the entire making process, from block of wood to finished figure. To ensure this can be achieved within seven days, some component parts will be pre-cut.
Alongside the making sessions, participants will take part in short daily manipulation sessions using Stephen’s own practice puppets, helping to prepare them to work creatively and confidently with their finished marionettes.
Location
Northumbria University
Ellison Place
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
United Kingdom
Tickets
Course Ticket: £395.00
Places are limited
For full booking details and ticket availability, please visit the official event booking page.
About the organisers
Moving Parts Arts brings people across the North East of England together through arts, celebration, and creativity.
Moving Parts Arts CIO (charity number 1194137) is an award-winning arts and community development organisation founded in 2017. Through their week-long puppet festival, dynamic outreach projects, and participatory community events, they engage around 20,000 people each year.
At the heart of their work is a belief that everyone can be creative, and that puppetry offers a unique way of bringing people together and breaking down barriers. Their practice is collaborative, accessible, and celebratory — values that are strongly reflected in this course.