Italy at your fingertips: Integrating puppet theater in the Italian classroom

Abstract

This chapter makes a case for integrating puppet theater in the foreign language curriculum. The case is grounded in an acknowledgment of the art’s cathartic effect, its ability to engage and develop multiple intelligences and various skills. It is also based on the cultural value and uniqueness of the puppet theater’s many traditional forms. The chapter begins with an examination of the literature currently available in support of this creative approach, identifying recurring themes and issues, and evaluating educators’ reflections vis-à-vis certain historic and cultural dynamics and influences. While the application of puppetry in education has almost always been considered in relation to the primary and secondary school levels of teaching, a number of puppet theater techniques translate remarkably well into higher education, especially for languages whose cultures present strong puppetry traditions, such as Italian. The final section of the chapter addresses the pertinence of puppetry to teacher training and curriculum development, exemplified by the case of Italian, both as a tool in the instructor’s lesson and in studentled productions.