Workshop
Unlock the magic of transformation through puppetry!
Made by: Nicolas Bernal
Meet Cumbia
About the workshop
About me
My name is Nicolás Bernal, and I am a puppeteer, design teacher, and designer from Bogotá, Colombia, currently living in Bangkok, Thailand. I have been working on various puppetry projects since 2013. At the moment, I am focused on my solo show, Little Rituals, and my virtual project, The Journeys of Cumbia, where I use platforms like TikTok to share poems and explore the multiple personalities of my puppet.
In Bangkok, I work as a design teacher for students aged 12 to 16, teaching a range of subjects including theatre design, toys, jewelry, and fashion, among others.
The goal of this workshop is to create a costume for an existing puppet, transforming it into a completely new character. This workshop is all about exploring the power of transformation. Based on my project The Journeys of Cumbia, it offers participants the opportunity to play, experiment, and transform their puppets.
This workshop is designed for anyone who already has a puppet or toy and is looking to give it a voice and develop its character. Through this process, participants will uncover new layers and discover a fresh, fun perspective on their creation.
Colombia
Thailand
Skills and materials
The skills developed in this workshop focus on problem-solving, creative thinking, and planning.
Participants will have the opportunity to design and create their characters using a variety of materials.
For more advanced participants, the workshop offers a chance to collaborate with others, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives.
For beginners, the workshop will provide valuable learning experiences, such as sewing, pattern making, working with adhesives, and creating structures—tailored to the individual projects.
Foam Fur
Schedule
1.
First, I will give a brief presentation about the Cumbia project, which features 11 different personalities. I’ll also share an infographic chart that I created to guide myself through the project. My goal is to inspire participants to view the costume they will create not just as a disguise, but as an integral part of the character.
2.
3.
Second, we will begin the planning process by sketching our costume and creating diagrams to outline how we intend to make it. We’ll focus on thinking through patterns and justifying our material choices.
Third, and most importantly, we will begin constructing our costumes, which will take the majority of our time. Each participant can work at their own pace, but it’s important to manage the time wisely to complete the project. At the end of the workshop, we’ll record a video in the same style as the Journeys of Cumbia project.
Paiper
mache
