Past
2025
1st International Puppetry Residency in Agios Lavrentios
Intensive Lambe-Lambe making lab
23 - 30 June 2025
About the Workshop
Working Language: English, Greek
Lambe-Lambe theater is a unique and intimate style of puppetry that emerged in Brazil in the late 1980s, created by puppeteers Denisse do Santos and Ismine Lima. This form of micro-theater typically features a short performance, lasting one to three minutes, staged within a small box or other enclosed container. Each show is designed for a single spectator, who peers into the box through a peephole and listens to accompanying sounds—music, narration, or dialogue—via headphones.
The performances often tell miniature stories, combining intricate visuals with carefully curated soundscapes to create an immersive and personal experience. Known as **caja mágica** (magic box) or **caja misteriosa** (mysterious box) In some parts of Latin America, Lambe-Lambe theater has gained widespread popularity across the world. Its charm lies in its ability to deliver powerful, evocative narratives in a highly condensed and private format. Lightweight and portable, Lambe-Lambe offers endless creative possibilities.
In this masterclass, the ultimate goal is for each participant to have their own Lambe - Lambe show fully developed and ready to launch by the end of the program.
Katarina will be there to guide you on the history, heritage, and techniques of Teatro Lambe Lambe, before moving on to design and build your very own fully functional Teatro Lambe Lambe, along with creating the miniature puppets and props for the performance.
You’ll also receive personalized feedback and guidance throughout the process, with step-by-step advice on puppet manipulation techniques, the dramaturgy of your story, and how to bring it all together into a captivating performance with the help of Eleni.
At the end, Alexandros will assist you with any technical needs or requirements related to sound and lighting design.
Throughout the process, you'll work towards crafting a complete show ready to be performed. You’ll be taught every aspect of making and performing Teatro Lambe Lambe, from constructing the theatrical box, staging, and set design, to puppet design, puppet building and performance techniques.
Join Us for a Creative Journey – Culminating in a Village Square Presentation!
At the heart of our workshop experience is a magical open presentation in the village square, where everyone will gather to enjoy the fruits of your creative efforts. It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase your work and share your story with the community.
To make the most of this journey, we encourage you to come with an idea or inspiration for your project. Before the workshop begins, we’ll host a Zoom meeting to help you prepare. During this session, we’ll explore your project vision, your inspirations, and the personal motivations behind your creation.
Masterclass Program Overview
Dive into the captivating world of “Lambe Lambe puppetry” with this comprehensive program, designed to guide participants through every stage of creation, from concept development to performance. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Preparation Session (1st Week of June)
A flexible Online Zoom meeting will be scheduled to ensure everyone’s participation, share important information and answer questions and introduce the program's key elements.
June 23rd: Arrival
Evening: Administration and Introduction
- Administrative tasks and participant introductions.
- A historical journey into Lambe Lambe puppetry through an engaging video presentation.
Daily Schedule:
• 10:30 - 14:30 → Lab Session (4 hours)
• 14:30 - 15:00 → Lunch Break
• 15:00 - 17:30 → Rest/Personal Time
• 17:30 - 21:30 → Lab Session (4 hours)
Note: The schedule is subject to change if necessary.
Days 2-4: Puppet Creation and Artistic Development
Design Essentials
- Explore the foundational principles of puppet design, considering the target audience, performance venue, scheduling logistics, budget, and creative goals.
- Define the vision and framework for your puppet project, setting the stage for the creation process.
Construction
- Dive into material selection and structural assembly techniques to ensure durability, flexibility, and aesthetic appeal.
- Focus on the practical aspects of building puppets, transforming ideas into physical forms.
Manipulation & Dramaturgy Techniques
- Learn how to bring your puppet to life with expressive manipulation techniques that connect movement to storytelling.
- Develop dramaturgical skills to craft engaging narratives and integrate them seamlessly into your performance.
Sound & Light Design
- Design captivating soundscapes and lighting setups that enhance the storytelling experience.
- Experiment with ways to create mood, atmosphere, and dynamic interaction between puppet and environment.
Artistic Refinement
- Add intricate details to your puppets, from painting and texturing to custom fabrications, giving each creation its unique personality and flair.
Days 5-6: Rehearsals and Performance Preparation
Team Coordination and Movement
- Collaborate with your team to ensure smooth integration between puppeteer and puppet.
- Hone timing, movement, and interactions to create a cohesive and dynamic performance.
Technical Integration
- Rehearse with finalized sound and lighting designs to synchronize all elements of the show.
- Fine-tune the harmony between visual, auditory, and narrative aspects.
Day 7: The Grand Performance
Step into the spotlight to showcase your hard work! Celebrate the culmination of creativity, teamwork, and technical skill in a vibrant performance that highlights the power of puppetry as a storytelling medium.
Reflection and Wrap-Up
- Share feedback and reflections on the experience, brainstorm new ideas, and discuss possible improvements.
- Studio and Workspace Cleanup: Conclude the workshop with a team-based cleanup of the studio and workspace to ensure the area is left organized and tidy.
Day 8: Farewell and Final Cleanup
Goodbyes: Dedicate time for participants to reflect on the workshop experience, share parting words, and express gratitude.
Home Cleanup Reminder: Encourage participants to apply the same team spirit to tidying up their own creative spaces at home, fostering a habit of maintaining an inspiring and organized environment.
This Masterclass offers an immersive journey, blending artistry,
technical craftsmanship, and collaboration.
Discover the transformative potential of puppetry as both an art form and a medium for storytelling!
Instructors
Katarína Caková
(Katanari)
Katarina Caková, Mgr.Art, born on February 10, 1985, in Žilina, Slovakia, is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in puppetry, performance, scenography and illustration.
She earned her Master of Arts in Printmaking and Other Media from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava in 2011 (Studio of free printing arts and book illustration with prof. Dudan Kallay) and holds a teacher certification in art studies.
She further enriched her artistic expertise through postgraduate studies in the Institut Seni Indonesia (studying puppetry and traditional crafts), internship in Estonian animation studios and international residencies, including Jatka 78 (Czechia), Skriduklaustur (Iceland), Poton (Slovakia) etc.
Katarina has also participated in masterclasses with esteemed professionals such as Matt Jackson, Agnes Limbos, Frank Soehnle, Fabrizio Montechi, Natacha Belova, Michel Vilee, Gavin Glover, Rene Baker, Sumako Koseki,and others honing her craft across diverse artistic disciplines. Her body of work spans solo performances like Faust`s Garden and The Journey, as well as scenography for productions including Swing Heil! and The Emperor of America.
Caková’s creative endeavors have been showcased globally through exhibitions and performances, including notable appearances at the Festival Mondial des Théâtres Marionnettes in France, Naks festival in Estonia, JEM Festival in Belgium, Floating Castle Festival in Slovenia, and the Manipulate Festival in Edinburgh. Her projects, such as Island Home and Cabinet Alive! have toured cities across Europe, capturing audiences with their innovative blend of visual art and storytelling.
She has collaborated on visual and puppet-making projects for groups like Le Cabaret Nomade and Theatre Poton, continually pushing the boundaries of contemporary performance art.
Eleni Voyiatzidou
(Fortunati Art & Tech Co.)
Eleni Voyiatzidou was born in Athens and studied Early Childhood Education. Her professional journey began in private kindergartens, where she provided high-quality educational services, focusing on the development of children’s creativity and emotional intelligence. At the same time, she enriched her knowledge by attending specialized seminars in museum education, music and movement, storytelling, and theatrical play, exploring new methods of learning and educational approaches.
In 2004, her thirst for further knowledge led her to the three-year workshop on Theatre Pedagogy and Drama Education, “Scholeio Paixnidiou”. There, she discovered a new educational approach, combining art with education and enhancing her skills in facilitating group engagement through theatrical play. She then collaborated with parent associations, creative activity workshops, and play centers, emphasizing the importance of creative expression in children’s development.
Another significant chapter in her artistic path was her introduction to the art of Puppetry. Through puppetry, she discovered an entire world where various techniques and arts harmoniously blend, offering endless possibilities for creation and expression. Since 2011, she has been actively involved in Unima Hellas (Greek Center of Puppetry) as a member of working teams in organizing and planning puppet theatre festivals and workshops, attending training in puppetry workshops from different teachers and various techniques while also representing Greece in International collaborations.
Eleni’s artistic journey is enriched by extensive training in puppetry. She honed her puppeteering skills under renowned mentors like Stathis Markopoulos (Ayusaya) and Antamapantahou, Matija Solce (Slovenia) and Michel Villee (Belgium).
Eleni delved into the intricate relationship between material, movement, and sound through masterclasses led by Damiet Van Dalsum (Netherlands), where she explored concepts such as "Less is More" and "The Economy of Movement and Material." She further refined her understanding of theatrical objects and puppetry as mediators through sessions with Rene Baker (England) in 2013 and 2014.
In 2024, she completed the International Online Puppet Therapy Program offered by the School of Puppet Therapy Barcelona. This 96-hour program, held between January and April 2024, was sponsored by UNIMA Education and conducted by Andrea Markovits and Polo Fernandez. Through this program, she deepened her understanding of the therapeutic applications of puppetry, further enriching her artistic and professional capabilities.
Additionally, her artistic endeavors expanded into the realms of micro cinema and live video projections, where she combined puppetry and visuals to create small narrations, abstract worlds, and experimental storytelling. Her expertise in micro-cinema theatre was developed through a workshop with Gavin Glover (2019).
Complementing her puppetry and performance work, Eleni has a strong foundation in physical and dance theatre, cultivated with the Plefsis Dance Group from 2012 to 2014. Earlier in her career, she engaged in workshops and seminars focused on museum education and narrative art between 2002 and 2004. This diverse training reflects her dedication to blending interdisciplinary approaches in her artistic practice.
From 2016 to 2023, Eleni also explored the art of theatrical clowning with Gozde Atalay. She deepened her training and dived into the unknown world of clowns. Since 2021, she has been a founding member of the production team of the International Clown Residency that takes place in Agios Lavrentios, offering an 8-day intensive masterclass facilitated by Gozde Atalay.
Collaborating with musicians, she engaged in improvisational projects that merged sound and imagery, pushing the boundaries of performance and visual art.
With strong dedication, passion, and professionalism, Eleni stands out for her collective spirit, respect towards her collaborators, and creative calmness.
Eleni Vogiatzidou remains committed to exploring both art and education, continuing to inspire and engage through her many years of experience and artistic sensitivity.
Alexandros Seitaridis
(Fortunati Art & Tech Co.)
Alexandros Seitaridis, born in Athens in 1981, is an interdisciplinary artist whose work bridges technology, art, and production. He holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science (Master’s in Robotics) from the University of Hertfordshire (Second Class Honors, First Division) and has studied Theatre Pedagogy at the “Theatro tis imeras”, as well as Puppetry, under Stathis Markopoulos.
Professionally, he is an I.T. consultant and web designer/developer, with extensive experience in video and multimedia production. He has collaborated on short films, documentaries, and music videos and was a technology columnist for Difono magazine. He has also curated visual materials—videos, catalogs, posters, and flyers—for numerous artistic and cultural events.
With longstanding experience in the music industry, Alexandros has worked as a road manager and production assistant for concerts and festivals across Greece. Since 2010, he has served as Production Manager for “Music Village” (www.music-village.gr), coordinating and supporting the community’s artistic initiatives.
He is also the owner of the global online radio station, “Radio Art” (www.radioart.com), which has been streaming music to international audiences since 2007.
Alongside his technical expertise, Alexandros has trained in various theater and arts fields, including Ancient Greek drama with Martha Frintzila, puppetry with Greek and international artists, storytelling with Anthi Thanu, and theatrical clowning with Gozde Atalay and Panagiotis Kokkoris.
As a founding member of the art company “Fortunati” (www.fortunati.gr), he integrates playing through theater, puppetry, and technology to create unique, immersive experiences for audiences of all ages. This approach enables Fortunati to develop performances, actions, and workshops that engage the imagination and encourage audience interaction, using innovative techniques and new technologies. His work in theater and puppetry has led the group to perform at prestigious international festivals in Rome, Brazil, and France. His contributions to Fortunati have been instrumental, bringing expertise in modern puppetry techniques and driving the group’s commitment to interactivity and innovation in their performances.
As a video artist, Alexandros merges technology with art, developing original works that explore new expressive possibilities. Through 3D projection mapping and live image mixing, he creates video installations that enhance audience engagement. Since 2012, he has designed visuals for musical concerts by artists such as Alkinoos Ioannidis, Lefteris Moumtzis, James Wylie, and others.
Alexandros has collaborated as a lighting designer, video artist, and production manager with leading cultural institutions, including the Athens Concert Hall, the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, the Onassis Cultural Centre, the National Theatre, the 52nd Dimitria Festival, and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. He has also worked with venues such as the Gyalino Music Theatre, Kyttaro Live Club, Baumstrasse, ACT Theatre in Patras, Menalon Music Festival, Festival of BoC in Nicosia Cyprus, Musikotropo Music Festival in Larissa, Papaioannou festival in Kavala, etc.
Alexandros has lived in Agios Lavrentios, Pelion, for several years, working at “Music Village” alongside his life and artistic partner. He co-leads production for the International Clown Residency in Pelion and since 2022, has served as president of the Agios Lavrentios Cultural Association. Through this role, he organizes events and workshops for residents and visitors, aiming to establish Agios Lavrentios as a cultural center that draws artists and audiences to a space of creative expression and collaboration.
His professional philosophy centers on the continuous exploration of new forms of expression, merging technology and art to expand the boundaries of contemporary artistic creation.
in Agios Lavrentios
Intensive Lambe-Lambe making lab
23 - 30 June 2025