Rose Bruford College Design for Theatre and Performance (Set and Costume) students recently got to work with Oliver Smart on a puppet project as part of their Design Technologies and Materialities module.

Talking about this course module (Module DTP501: Design Technologies and Materialities) Dr Marina Hadjilouca, Lecturer in Performance Design said:

“This module explores scenographic technologies, working relationships and processes within the making of performance, emphasising design as an ongoing collaborative process from project inception through to performance. You will be introduced to a range of design technologies and models of creative practice. You will go on to undertake practical workshops and explorative projects, some of which are in conjunction with students from other disciplines, that explore the often complex relationship between creative process and performance makers. 

The module is split into two collaborative projects. Oliver Smart, led the second project, “The Puppet”. During this project the students explored the relationship between analogue and digital technologies through designing, constructing and performing with large scale puppets. In turn, they were invited to bring these puppets to life, through movement, light and scenographic tactics, in collaboration with MA Light in Performance students, at the RBC Lewisham campus.”

Oliver is the founder of Folded Feather and is a highly sought after creative.

With a passion for finding and projecting the character through objects, he has been involved at the early stages of many theatre creation processes. Companies he has worked with include the Theatre Royal Bath, Turtle Key, Flying Cloud, Sixth Sense and of course Folded Feather.

Oliver has a wealth of experience in presenting and puppeteering on screen and in this capacity he has worked with amongst others Disney, ITV and Nickelodeon.

You can see more of the students work here.