What happens when you bring together sixteen imaginative artists for eight weeks of hands-on training with some of the UK’s most respected puppeteers, directors and theatre-makers?

You get something Curious—a rare chance to develop new skills, approaches and ways of working in a supportive, focused environment.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Curious School of Puppetry: a full-time, in-person course designed for artists who want to use puppetry in their professional work and creative practice. Whether you’re a performer, director, visual artist or theatre-maker, this programme offers a structured and collaborative space to strengthen your craft and experiment with new ideas.

What makes this course different?

Over eight weeks (from 19 January to 14 March 2026), participants train in-person at St Barnabas Dalston in London, working closely with internationally recognised practitioners including:

• Toby Olié (Spirited Away, War Horse)

• Mike Shepherd (founder of Kneehigh Theatre)

• Nandi Bhebhe (Shakespeare’s Globe, Wise Children)

• Rene Baker (renowned for her work in object animation and non-verbal theatre)

Teaching covers a wide range of puppetry techniques, including manipulation, characterisation, storytelling and ensemble-based devising. The course is rooted in shared principles of puppetry and collaborative practice.

It’s practical, intensive, and tailored to artists who want to explore new possibilities in performance.

Who is it for?

Curious is for people who are open to learning, experimenting, and working as part of a group. You don’t need previous puppetry experience—just a strong interest in the form and a willingness to engage fully with the process.

The course runs Monday to Saturday and requires full-time commitment. Many previous participants have described it as a formative experience that reshaped how they think about their practice.

Course details:

📍 Location: St Barnabas Dalston, London
📅 Dates: 19 January – 14 March 2026
🕰️ Schedule: Full-time, Mondays to Saturdays
💷 Fees: £3200
📩 To apply: Email Sarah Wright at curiouspuppetry@gmail.com to receive an application pack
⏳ Deadline: 7 July 2025

More info | apply

Curious is a registered charity and artist-led organisation. Our mission is to support the development of puppetry as an inclusive, imaginative artform—connecting people through training, collaboration and shared practice.

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you—or someone you know—we’d love to hear from you.

The Curious School of Puppetry is a registered charity (No. 1183757) and a limited company in England and Wales (No. 9476187).

More info | apply