Master the Art of Puppetry at Wimbledon College of Arts
A Unique MA Programme for Aspiring Puppeteers
Discover the Magic of Puppetry at Wimbledon College of Arts
If you’ve ever felt the irresistible pull of puppetry—whether through traditional marionettes, object performance, or the cutting edge of digital puppetry—then Wimbledon College of Arts' MA Puppetry programme is the course for you. Offered as part of the prestigious University of the Arts London (UAL), this programme is a dynamic space where artistry meets innovation, perfect for those eager to push the boundaries of this timeless craft.
Why Choose This Course?
The MA Puppetry programme at Wimbledon is more than just creating puppets; it’s a deep exploration of performance, storytelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The course equips students with skills applicable to live theatre, film, television, and emerging technologies like augmented reality and VFX.
One of the most exciting aspects? The chance to develop and present a cabaret-style puppet performance—an invaluable opportunity to showcase your work and collaborate with fellow artists.
Course Structure: A Journey Through Puppetry
The programme is structured into four key units, designed to build your skills step by step:
Elements of Puppetry – Gain a foundation in puppet design, movement, and performance, while considering audience engagement and sustainability in your practice.
Developing Your Practice – Hone your personal style, craft performance-ready puppets, and explore ethical considerations in contemporary puppetry.
Collaboration – Work on interdisciplinary projects that blend puppetry with other performance arts, developing proposals and prototypes for real-world application.
Realisation – The grand finale! This unit sees you creating an ambitious final project, pushing the boundaries of puppetry to present your unique artistic vision.
Learning from the Best
Great puppetry thrives under great mentorship, and this course boasts a faculty of leading experts.
Giles Walker, Associate Lecturer – Known for merging technical expertise with artistic creativity, Giles helps students navigate the complexities of puppetry design and performance.
Mervyn Millar, MA Puppetry Academy Development Lead – A name familiar to many in the industry (think War Horse), Mervyn brings a wealth of experience and insight into contemporary puppetry practices.
Want to hear directly from the faculty? Check out their short introductory film to get a taste of what’s in store.
More Than Just Puppetry
What sets this course apart is its commitment to socially engaged practice and sustainability. Puppetry has long been a powerful tool for exploring social issues, and this programme encourages students to create meaningful work that resonates in today’s world.
Additionally, strong industry connections ensure that students benefit from networking opportunities, placements, and workshops with experienced puppeteers, directors, and designers.
Why Study at Wimbledon?
As part of UAL, Wimbledon College of Arts provides access to outstanding facilities, from shared workshops to state-of-the-art technology for VFX and AR. Whether you’re crafting a hand-carved marionette or experimenting with digital puppetry, you’ll have the resources to bring your vision to life.
For those passionate about puppetry and looking to develop their practice within a vibrant and supportive environment, this course is a gateway to a world of creative possibilities.