It receives more than 150 records per year

At Charleville-Mézières, impossible to miss the international Institute of puppetry, which houses the higher national school of the art of puppetry (Ensa). Place Winston-Churchill, "The Grand puppeteer" is enshrined in the facade of the building stone and briquettes, typical of the local architecture. His feet out of an arch, his Golden head fills a dog-sitting and its belly is just a large puppet where his hands manipulate every hour, from 10 to 21 hours, 12 tables of the Ardennes legend of the four son Aymon. This monumental clock could only be born in the imagination of Jacques Félix, founder in the 1960s a unlikely Festival attracts today every three years more than 200 companies worldwide and nearly 250,000 spectators. "Established in 1981, the Institute was born of the festival", says Director, Lucile Bodson, who does not rate an opportunity to pay tribute to the visionary that was Jacques Félix, who died in 2006.

The Institute was born in 1987 the Ensa, the only school in France devoted to the training of actors-puppeteers. Funded by the Ministry of Culture and additional funds in the region for vocational training (budget EUR 2.6 million), it delivers in three years, 1st year probationary, a degree of State level bac 2. Its objective is to train professionals of the live show, specialized in the interpretation and implementation in set of the specific forms of puppetry, open to new entries that performing arts.

The tickets are expensive. "It receives more than 150 records per year." "And it is only a promotion every three years with about fifteen students, one third of foreigners, European most", says Director. The next competition is scheduled for 2011. Horizon 2012-2013, the acquisition of a new building in the centre of Charleville-Mézières will enable superior school to House a second promotion on a cycle.

Provided basic training involves manipulation and puppet construction techniques, dramatic play, voice, body and gestures, plastic arts, the practice of an instrument of music and modern languages, singing, the history of the theatre and representation. In addition, courses led by masters of puppetry (directors, plastic...) result in the first year on individual and collective achievements. In 2008, the school thus allowed 4,500 spectators. For the first time this year, the invitation to the Festival of Avignon of the show "Le Théâtre walking Chopalovitch" will be constituted for 10th promotion as for school students a wonderful recognition of theatre.

A global reference pole

Especially in the eyes of the Director, vocational integration is a major concern. "Twenty years ago, there were fewer companies today ' today.". Students leaving formed their own companies. Now, it's much less true. "Did not grow to create a company, but rather to fit into existing companies", explains Lucile Bodson. Professional internships of three to six months have been implemented in recent years, companies supporting half loads. This now world-renowned school, 119 professionals are already out, including a 50 will participate in the Festival of puppet theatres, 18 to September 27.

One of the particularities of the Ensa is to be an integral part of the international Institute of puppetry. Its research centre, equipped with a documentation centre among the provided most of Europe, a library and a specialized library, of a theatre, opens all of its activities to the students. The presence of researchers in residence, thematic meetings and seminars, continuing education courses allow a permanent flow of ideas and knowledge also enjoyed by students.

Since 1981, the Institute gradually said as a global reference of puppetry arts hub. Biennialization and the ongoing professionalization for the festival to provide a sustainable "absolutely non-transferable.

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