Short Courses

The London School of Puppetry offers four different short courses:

  • Skills extension course for puppeteers - CcLipP (2×1 month blocks)
  • Professional development for artists - PACe (2×1 month blocks)
  • Mini Courses (3 days)
  • Summer Schools (variable)

In the past some students have taken CcLipP and PACe as a slow means of taking the PPD - paying as they go. If you are not sure about how much study you want to do, then why not wait for a Mini course or Summer School. When you are sure, then go for the PPD. It is 6 Units plus workplacement and finishing the portfolio to be taken over 24 months. There are usually two opportunities to take the Units during that time - so the study time is still very flexible.

Introduction

These courses represent a gradual and specific delivery of puppetry skills. You might have a very exact need for puppetry - perhaps as part of a particular job you are doing such as teaching, or as a therapist. We have also had actors, musicians, visual artists and film-makers as well as puppeteers training with LSP.

Courses are designed specifically for you and you agree the course content before paying fees and starting work. The coursework is designed to reflect the nature of puppetry and enable you to learn the skills in a relatively brief period of training. These Courses are in the greater part held in Yorkshire, are very intensive and are assessed. If you would rather a more gentle period of learning, the mini-courses might be more appropriate.

Mini Courses

(usually held in London-but there are plans to take these to Yorkshire and the Midlands)
They all include specific technique training, making your own work and performance to an invited audience. The work is not assessed and is designed to introduce the student to a whole world of puppetry. Some students use mini courses to acquaint themselves with the work of the school and request an assessment for suitability for the Diploma.

Summer Schools

(Yorkshire)
These are occasional courses open to any adults to attend. The aim of these courses is to offer a stimulating introduction to an aspect or genre of puppetry. The work is not assessed.

CcLipP (for puppeteers)

(Intensive and held the the most part in Yorkshire)
The name of this course stands for Choreography, Composition, Live Art Performance and Puppetry, all of which represents the range and richness contained in puppetry. CcLipP would be appropriate for any puppeteers wanting to develop and broaden their experience of puppetry as a performer.

To qualify for this course, applicants should have some experience of puppetry and be able to discuss how LSP training would be of benefit to them. Please note that these courses are in the main part held in Yorkshire, are assessed and very intensive.

PACe (for visual artists, actors, musicians etc)

Intensive and held in the most part in Yorkshire.
PACe stands for Professional Artists extension Course. This course is for professional artists who are not already puppeteers who are seeking to explore new contexts for their work.

To qualify, applicants must have at least two years of artform experience in the professional/voluntary sphere and be able to articulate how puppetry will be of value to them in the future.

Coursework

Students explore their chosen puppet genre; devise and rehearse a piece of work; and learn how to work with an audience. One course comprises two units from the lists below. Each student is free to build their own course by selecting at least two units. It is possible to choose two different skills development units or even take the same one twice. This work is taken mainly in Yorkshire, is assessed and very intensive.

Core Units (Skills Development)

Outcome

Specific understanding of a particular type of puppet demonstrated in an informal performance and de-briefing. CclipP and Pace students:

A short performance demonstrating the result of in-depth study of a specific aspect of puppetry combined with the discipline of the participating artist.

Progression

On completion of any part of the programme students may progress with enhanced skills to professional work.

All modules completed may be credited to the student for the full diploma if wished.