AMAZING Opportunity: Puppeteers Invited to Join THE HERDS for an Unforgettable 7-Day Training in London + Puppet-Makers Wanted in Manchester!
No puppetry experience needed! Whether you have a background in dance, physical performance, or simply a passion for art, this is your opportunity to learn and grow as part of a team!
The 20,000km journey of THE HERDS is well underway, with puppet-animals making their way across the globe! From Kinshasa, DRC to Lagos, Nigeria, and Dakar, Senegal, THE HERDS has united local communities and global partners for a movement centred on culture, climate activism, and storytelling.
Next up, THE HERDS will be heading to Madrid, followed by Marseille, Paris, and then London, where 7-day puppetry training programmes are being held in each of these cities, offering an exciting opportunity for aspiring puppeteers. Manchester also has fantastic opportunities for puppet-makers and puppeteers to get involved.
The Journey So Far... and What's Coming Next
THE HERDS is making stops in these incredible cities, with the following training dates:
Kinshasa, DRC, Lagos, Nigeria, Dakar, Senegal, Marrakesh, Morocco, Casablanca & Rabat, Morocco
London: An AMAZING 7-Day Puppetry Training with Expert Puppet Masters
London, get ready for an unforgettable 7-day puppetry training programme from Monday, 23 June to Sunday, 29 June 2025! This is your chance to train with expert puppet masters and immerse yourself in the art of puppetry, performance, and movement. Be part of a dynamic team preparing for a spectacular public art event in the heart of London.
No puppetry experience needed! Whether you have a background in dance, physical performance, or simply a passion for art, this is your opportunity to learn and grow as part of a team bringing life-size puppets to life.
They’re looking for people who are:
Physically fit and strong
Eager to learn and perform
Interested in movement, dance, or physical performance
Inclusivity is key! If you have specific needs, they’re committed to working with you to create an accessible experience.
Submit Your Interest for London
Manchester ALSO Has...
Making the HERDS: Call for Puppet Makers
Curious about the magic behind the scenes? Passionate about crafting? THE HERDS is calling for skilled amateur makers, DIY enthusiasts, and crafters to help create the amazing puppet animals that will be featured in Manchester's HERDS! From wildebeest to vervet monkeys, participants will learn intricate puppet-making techniques and see the animals they create brought to life at the MIF25 opening event.
Workshops will be held in Manchester city centre in late May/early June and are open to anyone aged 16+ from across Greater Manchester. All materials will be provided, and a contribution towards expenses is available.
Moving the HERDS: Call for Puppeteers in Manchester
Over 100 aspiring puppeteers are sought in Greater Manchester to join THE HERDS from Sunday, 29 June to Saturday, 5 July 2025. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train and rehearse with the internationally renowned creative team behind THE HERDS. After four days of intensive workshops, participants will perform in three public events in Manchester, Rochdale, and Wigan.
Good to know:
Participants aged 18+
This is an incredible chance to be part of a global arts project raising awareness about the climate crisis.
Participants will also have the opportunity to expand their skills in physical performance, working alongside Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zuabi, and the world-class Ukwanda Puppets & Designs Art Collective and Craig Leo.
To register interest for either opportunity in Manchester, please send an email with the subject line MOVING THE HERDS or MAKING THE HERDS to makingtheherds@factoryinternational.org
How to Apply
This is an amazing opportunity, and interested participants should apply ASAP as the events are fast approaching!
For London: Submit Your Interest for London
Join THE HERDS in London or Manchester and take part in this extraordinary global art project that’s transforming public spaces with life-size puppets and powerful storytelling.