The Digital Puppet Lab: Investigating children’s expressions of digital identity, creativity and agency
About the project
This project aims to provide authentic and positive insights into an ongoing creative project commitment by SPPT to bring digital puppetry and interactive fun to children in Western Australia.
Project aims
This project aims to investigate Western Australian children’s (aged 5–8) expressions of digital identity, creativity and agency through their participation in teaching artist-led digital puppetry workshops facilitated by the West Australian-based Spare Parts Puppet Theatre (SPPT).
Project design
The Puppet Lab workshops, currently being rolled out in WA schools as part of the Lotterywest/SPPT learning and engagement program, presents an ideal opportunity to interact with and observe school-aged children (5–8 years old).
Within the workshops, children utilise a custom-made iPad application enabling the design, creation and manipulation (via hand scanning) of their own puppet, after which students learn to rehearse and digitally record a small skit of their own making.
Investigators external to the Centre
Harrison Lorenz-Daniel (SPPT Learning and Engagement Officer & Teaching Artist)
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is Australia’s most respected puppetry company with over 40 years operational experience producing theatrical shows for West Australian families. In addition Spare Parts produce significant WA schools outreach programs featuring innovative new puppetry techniques and technologies, including the Digital Puppet Lab, launching in 2024.
