Hidden Life is an investigation into the kinetic potential of neutral materials as a means of exploring the fundamental principles of puppetry. Hidden Life will look at manipulation concepts central to all forms of puppetry and how they may be applied to transform the inanimate into the apparently living. Participants will work with neutral or “pre-sculpted” materials (eg. paper, plastic, fabric and thread) in a hands-on process. The workshop consists of a number of sequential exercises or guided explorations into the theory of puppet manipulation with the aim to have a basic working knowledge by the end of the process.

Practical skills learned will include: breathing the object; direction, eye-line and creating the illusion of consciousness in the object; building rhythm in the object; understanding and applying the physics of the object. Participants will also be introduced to the language of puppetry by learning and applying terms throughout.
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