The Puppet Theater College itself has been a state-recognized adult education institution since 1977, focusing on performing and visual arts with an emphasis on puppet theater. Therefore, it is quite unique, as the Bochum college is the only place in Europe, alongside four European universities, that offers certified training for puppeteers. The rich course program also includes offerings in creative writing, storytelling, voice training, as well as media, technology, and digitality. Because puppet theater can now utilize robotics, virtual worlds, and augmented reality, and stage puppets can be created with the 3D printer. But there is also something for children: How about building your own hand puppet, for example?
Since 2022, the summer academy serves as an introduction to the versatile course offerings. Here, several instructors work with participants to develop initial foundations such as puppet building, directing techniques, voice, costume and stage design, as well as dramaturgy, and collaboratively realize an artistic project. In the project "ParkStreifen," the college organized interactive activities for the people in the neighborhood at the adjacent Volkspark Langendreer, such as a theater workshop, the dance in the bone park with extraordinary masks, and the project "L.A. Love," where people from Langendreer shared their love stories.
