Graduate degrees in Puppet Arts guide students in becoming versatile, well-rounded puppet artists who have the knowledge and skills to pursue their own creative and professional paths. The Puppet Arts are a crossroads of many disciplines. Students in the graduate programs come from diverse backgrounds, including undergraduate degrees in English Literature, Music, Acting, Dance, Technical Theatre, Graphic Arts, Sculpture, Costuming, Political Science, Religion and Philosophy.
MA in Puppet Arts
The MA in Puppetry requires a minimum of 30 credits, which are composed of a set of core courses in Puppet Arts plus electives from other areas of Dramatic Arts or other UConn departments. The program is focused on preparing the student for professional work in the Puppet Arts. Selection of courses is based on the student’s previous study and experience and in response to personal goals and future employment. Classroom instruction offers the student practice in theory, history, conception, scripting, design, mechanics, fabrication with a variety of materials, and performance with different puppet types. Production work provides practical experience with performance styles, materials, and production development. Completion of the MA normally requires two years.
MFA in Puppet Arts
The MFA in Puppetry is focused on preparing students for becoming creative and forward-thinking leaders in the Puppet Arts and requires a minimum of 60 credits. Classroom instruction offers the student practice in theory, history, conception, scripting, design, mechanics, fabrication with a variety of materials, and performance with different puppet types. Production work provides practical experience with performance styles, materials, and production development. The MFA program is designed to be completed in three years and culminates in a final MFA project.
Past Final Projects of the MFA degree in Puppetry have included: Single Creator productions including design, fabrication, performance and directorial responsibilities; Collaborative Creator productions where two or more candidates share responsibilities for design, fabrication, scripting, direction and/or performance; Design projects serving a Connecticut Repertory Theatre production; Productions offered as films or internet presentations; and Events intended to be presented in “found” locations from the Street to the Stage.
Course of Study for the MA and MFA Puppetry
- DRAM 5600: Studies in Puppet Arts
- DRAM 5601: Advanced Mask Theatre
- DRAM 5602: Advanced Paper Sculpture
- DRAM 5603: Puppet Theatre Production
- DRAM 5604: Advanced Rod Puppet Theatre
- DRAM 5605: Advanced Puppetry in Television
- DRAM 5607: Advanced Materials Techniques
- DRAM 5608: Marionette Performance
- DRAM 5609: Marionette Fabrication
- DRAM 5610: Advanced Hand Puppet Theatre
- DRAM 5611: Advanced Ultraviolet Light/Czech Black Theatre
- DRAM 5612: Puppetry and Modernism
- DRAM 5613: Advanced Shadow Theatre
- DRAM 5614: Puppet Production Seminar
- DRAM 5615: Puppet Arts Aesthetics
- DRAM 5616: Trends in Contemporary American Puppet Theatfre
- DRAM 5617: World Puppet Theatre
- DRAM 5618: Production Planning and Development
- DRAM 5619: Movement-based Performance for the Puppet Theatre
- DRAM 5620: Directing for the Puppet Theatre
- DRAM 5621: Plays and Dramaturgy for Puppet Theatre
- DRAM 5692: Independent Study in Puppet Arts
- DRAM 5696: MFA Project in Puppetry
- DRAM 5697: Special Topics in Puppet Arts