Workshop New Strings: A Theatre of Transformation - Frank Soehnle

A unique opportunity to learn with Frank Soehnle, one of the world's most outstanding creators of puppet theatre, in addition to being considered one of the great masters of string puppets.

For: Puppeteers, actors, dancers, scenographers, visual artists, performing arts professionals and students
Number of participants: 12

Working schedule: Friday to Sunday from 10am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 6pm / 5 to 7 December
Working language: English

Fee: 50€
Deadline for applications: 2 December 2025

Selection in order of registration after payment. Once the application has been analysed, its acceptance will be communicated and the method of payment for the workshop will be indicated.

INFO AND REGISTRATIONS

The registration in the workshop is made by the duly filled application form in Google Forms or in doc file - in this case it must be send to: projectofunicular@gmail.com or atarumba@gmail.com

^{⇨ APPLICATION FORM: AT GOOGLE FORMS OR DOWNLOAD HERE}

Introduction to basic forms of animation with special focus on strings.
The theatre of animation has a huge variety of techniques. 
From materials and objects to different kinds of puppet technics, the basic for animation is the same. 
The workshop will introduce everybody to these rules.

The string puppet, always considered as a difficult technique, can be very simple and the range of expressions is enormous. Starting with the pendulum as a basic object, participants will create simple string puppets and explore new borders for this form of animation. The relation between human and puppet, by using strings in a new way, will lead to new forms of expression.

"Spectacles by Frank Soehnle do not age - they deal with universal themes and, first and foremost, are based on extraordinary visual- technological beauty and the construction of puppets, which the artist sets into motion with masterful virtuosity (…).

Today Frank Soehnle is indubitably one of the masters of world puppetry. Increasingly often he shares his talent and experience with younger generations and still continues his pursuits. Cooperation with him is an exceptional pleasure and a life lesson."

- Marek Waszkiel, Puppeteers of the World: Frank Soehnle

BIO One of the world’s most distinguished creators of puppet theatre and string puppets, Frank Soehnle studied puppetry at the famous University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart and was a student of string puppet master Albrecht Roser. He founded the company Figuren Theater Tübingen in 1991, one of Germany's most renowned theatre companies, and invites all kinds of artists to retest the boundaries of traditional puppetry.

The centre of his artistic work is always the connection between Fine Arts and Dramatic Arts. He creates puppets, works as puppeteer and director and is an instructor at various Schools and Universities (Bochum, Berlin, Stuttgart, Charleville-Mézières, Jerusalem, Tours).

His shows are visual poems on the threshold between the visual and the performing arts, presented and acclaimed all over the world. He presented several shows at FIMFA Lx - International Festival of Puppetry and Animated Forms.

^{"After so many years of working in puppetry you are still exploring the art of the marionette. Is there something unique about string puppets that keeps them as your focus?}

^{For a string puppet creator, I think they really are the freest form to create something. Frank explains there is a great versatility to what you're able to make because it is such a unique type of puppetry and as the audience are frequently quite far away he thinks there's another level of freedom with size, colour and precision to play with.}

^{Frank also likes the whole concept of the pendulum: As a puppeteer, you give an impulse into the mechanism of the pendulum, and then in a few moments it comes back. Then you receive another impulse that you can continue to react on. It's so much like a dance piece, you and the puppet are in the flow of doing something together. It’s funny because people think the image of the marionette is like 'controlling' something, but especially with the string puppet it's not possible to completely control it (…).}

^{What was the best piece of advice you have been given?}

^{Frank's teacher Albrecht Roser would remind his students: In the end you have to listen to your puppet.}

^{I think there is something very essential in the sentence - you have to listen to the thing you are working with, he says sincerely. Yes, I add as a closing thought, whether they are puppets or not!"}

^{- Roxana Haines, Animations online: Conversations with Frank Soehnle}

The participants should bring:
-Old Umbrellas, pliers.
-A pen and a notebook.
-Participants are invited to bring their own string puppets if they like.
-Movement friendly clothing.