Puppeteer in New York

The Actors Studio Drama School (ASDS) is the only MFA theater program officially sanctioned by The Actors Studio, and one of the most famous theater schools in the USA. One of the students in this respected school is the Finnish puppeteer and director, Terhi Tuulia Lintukangas. After first studying puppet theater in DAMU, Prague, then finishing her B.A. studies at Turku Arts Academy and working as a puppet theater-freelancer in Finland, Terhi wanted to continue her studies in theater and earn a MFA degree in the USA. Her dream came true when she got accepted to the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City and was awarded with a prestigious ASLA Fulbright Graduate Grant for her first academic year.

Terhi Tuulia, what made you to become interested in studying acting in New York?

New York was a ´Love At First Sight’ experience for me and since I wanted to particularly study ”Method” acting, the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City was the perfect match for me. It is a school with a wonderful history and a great present. I also find it very important that I can chart my own creativity as a theater artist in a studentensemble that is a dynamic mix of cultures, located in an energetic and international environment. I feel that the city of New York is an essential part of my learning experience. Also, in 2006 I got to do a commercial which was shot in New York, and my American costar had received her training from the Actors Studio Drama School. I thought she was just brilliant in her work, and that convinced me that the ASDS training would be the kind I was looking for.

What are the main differences between Finnish and American studies?

Communication between the teacher and the students; that has definitely been the biggest and the most challenging difference for me. There is more interaction and discussion in America. Here the students generally speak more in the classes and are also expected to speak and give their input. Conversely, I have the tendency to wait and think until I am absolutely sure what my opinion is before addressing it, and by that time the conversation may have already moved on to another topic. This kind of pondering is something very Finnish in me, I think. I´d also say the level of discipline is quite strict: students can´t be late to, or miss classes, or it affects their grade immediately; and if a student’s phone goes off during class, they must leave the classroom - but this may just be in our school and not an American practice in general.

Describe a little bit about your school week?

Classes run from Monday through Friday, in addition to rehearsals and some occasional weekend classes. The schedule is intense, Finnish flag and Terhi in the hall.

Actors Studio Drama School is situated in a university building near the Brooklyn Bridge.

ful to experience puppetry connecting people globally. I also hope to give workshops at my school for my fellow students in the future.

What kind of puppetry have you seen in NY during your first year?

Mostly puppetry combined with drama theater. It has been exciting to see that such colin the sense that we begin early in the morning and finish late in the evening. In addition to the Acting/Basic Technique class, our studies include training in movement, voice and speech, theater history and dance. On Fridays we attend workshops where the topic changes every few weeks, including directing, auditioning, stage combat and script analysis. Our dance courses are taught by faculty at the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. It´s lot of work with great classmates and supportive teachers.

What have your colleges and teachers said when you have told them you are a puppeteer?

They have been very excited to hear it! In Finland usually the question that follows is, ”Do you make your own puppets?,” whereas here, the response is almost always, ”Do you do voices?” I´d say that´s where you can see the influence of the Jim Henson legacy in the States. The Muppets have had a strong impact on the image of puppet theater in the USA. During my first year of studies, I was fortunate to teach puppet theater in the International House, which is a graduate student housing facility in New York, hosting students from 100 different countries. It was wonder-