The experienced puppeteer and international trainer, Gary Friedman, is leading workshops entitled ‘An Introduction to the Creativity of Puppetry’. This one-day hands-on workshop is ideal for uni-students, teachers and professionals, and will include creative genres like object improvisation, paper performance and simple puppetry techniques in performance.

Over the past 20 years, Gary has used puppetry to nurture creativity through performance, all over the world. Participants will discover how the puppet, as a visual metaphor, can empower them with the confidence to improvise and perform.

Venue : Rex Cramphorn Studio, Dept of Performing Studies, University of Sydney
When : Sunday 15 and 22 August 2004, 10am to 5pm
Workshop fee : only $85- for the full-day (including materials)
Max participants : 20

For bookings or further info, contact Gary:

Gary Friedman Productions : Seymour Theatre, University of Sydney, PO Box 1125, Bondi Junction, NSW 1355, Australia
Office : 02-9351.7948
Mobile : +61-401-038.985
Email : gary@africanpuppet.com

Gary Friedman, who is an internationally renowned producer, director and puppet performer, with over 30 years of experience working on educational puppetry programs throughout Africa, Canada, Australia and Europe, is running some puppet making workshops in the middle of the year.

Gary has conducted puppetry and visual theatre workshops in a number of interactive environments. In the early 1980s, he produced and performed socio-political live performance satires such as Puppets Against Apartheid. He is also known for his puppetry programs, such as Puppets Against Aids, Puppets in Prison, Puppets for Democracy, Puppets Against Corruption, and Puppets Against Abuse. In 1994, he formed African Puppet Television, and later developed and co-produced a children’s educational series, in six local languages, in which he performed a character that travelled the country discovering children and their cultures throughout South Africa. Gary immigrated to Australia in 2002 and is now based at the Seymour Theatre, University of Sydney.

In collaboration with AFTRS, FTI, and Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Gary will be conducting workshops in Fremantle, WA, from 5-9 May 2004. These include workshops on Puppetry-in-Health, Education and Community Development and an Introductory Workshop on Puppetry for Television.

Gary will also be holding a Puppetry-for-Television Workshop during June and July 2004 at the Seymour Theatre, University of Sydney.

Details of these programs can be found at Unima Australia, or by contacting Gary:

Gary Friedman Productions : Seymour Theatre,
University of Sydney, PO Box 1125, Bondi Junction, NSW 1355, Australia
Office : 02-9351.7948
Mobile : +61-401-038.985
Email : gary@africanpuppet.com
Web : africanpuppet.com