A series of online puppetry conversations focusing on different themes

Now in its third year, Theatre-Rites’ Autumn series of online puppetry conversations returns. Each session explores a different theme in depth, giving a small group of participants the chance to talk with Sue Buckmaster and an expert guest in the field.

Please read through the full description below. You’ll find the application link at the bottom of the page.

What to expect

Each conversation is a 2-hour evening Zoom, co-hosted by Sue Buckmaster and a guest host with expertise in the theme. These are private discussions rather than public events, and they are conversations with the hosts rather than presentations.

How we choose participants

We advertise for people who wish to join the discussion. Based on their applications, Sue and the guest host will choose 6 people who they feel would benefit most from taking part, ensuring a good mix of experiences from diverse professional backgrounds. We keep the group small so there is time for everyone to contribute.

Access

If you have access needs, we will try our best to accommodate them. Please let us know when you apply.

Previous conversations

Over the past two years we have had extremely interesting conversations on:

Puppetry &…

Women with Aya Nakamura
Dance with Takeshi Matsumoto
Climate Activism with Amber Massie-Blomfield
Queerness with Anders Duckworth
AI with Liam Jarvis
Ritual Performance with Miguel Altunaga
Disability with Darryl Beeton

Our 2026 Puppetry & … sessions are:

Puppetry & Dramaturgy

Co-hosted by Sue Buckmaster and Lou Cope

How does dramaturgy for puppetry compare to dramaturgy for dance?

Lou Cope is a Dramaturg and Creative Coach who has worked across Europe, Australia, the Middle East, America, Canada and the UK. As well as working on productions Lou is a Creative Coach offering support to individuals and groups from all disciplines.

Mon 16 Nov | 7pm – 9pm on Zoom (UK time)

Puppetry & Film

Co-hosted by Sue Buckmaster and Mohsen Nouri

How does puppeteering for screen differ from live performance?

Mohsen Nouri is a graduate of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Theatre: Peter Pan (360° Entertainment), Nice Fish (Sonia Friedman Productions, Olivier Award Nominated), Doctor Dolittle (David Ian Productions), Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play (Polka Theatre), Karagoz, The Secret Garden (Little Angel Theatre), and with Theatre-Rites: In One Ear, Thought That Counts, Mischief, Salt, Lighten Up, Mojo, Paradise, Bank On It, Rubbish, The Welcoming Party and The Broke ’N’ Beat Collective.

Advertising: Argos (Blue Alien Family), Monster.com (Purple Monster), TSB Bank (Tiny the Elephant), Canva (Singing Squirrel), Travelodge (Travelogical), and Fisher-Price.

TV & Film: Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (Netflix), Project Hail Mary (MGM), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Paramount), Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Warner Bros.), Star Wars: Ahsoka, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Lucasfilm), Willow (Lucasfilm), Muppets Most Wanted and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Disney), Pistol (FX), Anansi Boys (Amazon), and In the Night Garden (BBC).

Mon 23 Nov | 7pm – 9pm on Zoom (UK time)

Puppetry & Work for Adults

Co-hosted by Sue Buckmaster and Sarah Wright

What’s the landscape for programming puppetry for adults?

Sarah Wright trained at the Little Angel Theatre and has worked extensively within physical and puppetry based theatre ever since. She is Artistic Director of Curious School of Puppetry, Associate Artist of Kneehigh and of Little Angel Theatre.

Mon 30 Nov | 7pm – 9pm on Zoom (UK time)