The university’s Bachelor degree course in Visual Theatre and Puppetry examines what contemporary Visual Theatre/Puppetry and Animation is today and what it can potentially become tomorrow given the classic and traditional animation techniques of figure and puppetry theatre.

The young, creative team is offering a new training concept. This concept retains the so-called Stuttgart focus of creating theatre worthy material (Werner Knodegen) based on artistic and creative thoughts and encourages the students to further develop these concepts to form new impulses with which they can experiment.  

AIMS OF THE COURSE AND PROFESSIONAL OUTLOOK

Your studies in Stuttgart will be characterized by artistic autonomy and individual accountability. You will be given a solid background in a wide variety of skills, which should give you the necessary tools to succeed. The course also includes both traditional and contemporary animation techniques among others.  

Our aim is to support you in discovering your creative potential and to encourage each student in developing their own personalities so that we can accompany you on your journey to becoming an innovative, confident and creative theater performer, who will make significant contributions to the landscape of contemporary theater and culture.  

When you graduate you will be able to work either alone or as a part of an ensemble. We will give you the practical tools and the general awareness of contemporary artistic issues to allow you to flourish as an artist.

The course provides you with the skills you will need to be able to work professionally as a figure player on stage and in film and television.  

COURSE CONTENT

The Bachelor degree course in Visual Theatre and Puppetry in Stuttgart will train you in: object theatre, puppetry, material theatre and film. The course is scheduled to run for eight semesters of comprehensive undergraduate study, which are subdivided into two phases of four semesters.  

The first four semesters are dedicated to an intensive period of basic undergraduate studies. During this phase you will acquire the playful and creative basic skills in animation. These skills are reinforced by the following complementary subjects: voice and speech training, singing training, acting, movement and artistic conception and design (making the figures themselves, scene-setting and stage design). In addition, subjects such as: applied dramatic-strategy, direction and the basics of staging as well as theory are also taught in the basic study phase, which is only completed when you pass the intermediate examination.

During the main undergraduate phase of your degree (semesters 5–8)  the emphasis is on staging projects, however year 3 is spent studying subjects from the basic study phase to an advanced level. In year 4 you will have the chance to develop your profile according to the Stuttgart Model. Students select a specialism towards the end of their studies and for their final thesis they have to select a topic from one of the following areas: Performing / interpretation, directing / conception or puppet making / conception.

During your studies with us you will participate in collaborative projects with other students from other faculties (music / song, vocal art, opera and theatre).

As of 2013, you will be able to see our faculty in action as we will be participating in regular productions at the university’s very own Wilhelma Theatre.