Academy hosted a Science café event dedicated to contemporary issues in puppet theatre.

The speaker was Sabit Akzhol, a second-year Master’s student of the “Art Studies” educational programme. In his presentation, he offered a comprehensive perspective on puppet theatre as an interdisciplinary phenomenon situated at the intersection of scholarly inquiry and stage practice. The talk addressed the evolution of puppet theatre forms, the typology of theatrical puppets, and the specifics of interaction between the actor and the puppet in contemporary performance.

The event was honoured by the presence of Serik S. Makulbekov, Honoured Worker of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Excellence in Education award holder, and Associate Professor at the Kazakh National University of Arts. In his remarks, he addressed the formation and development of puppet theatre in Kazakhstan, as well as its current challenges, sharing insights from his professional experience.

The event was marked by a high level of visual engagement and active audience participation. Third-year students of the “Puppet Theatre Actor” programme from the Kazakh National University of Arts named after Kulyash Baiseitova were invited as participants and presented several short stage performances. These sketches demonstrated the diversity of expressive means in puppet theatre and the specificity of puppetry acting techniques.

The practical component of the event was complemented by a demonstration of various types of theatrical puppets presented by actors of the Astana City Puppet Theatre. Participants had the opportunity not only to observe but also to analyse the structural and artistic features of the puppets, as well as their functional role in the staging process.

The event served as a platform for professional dialogue between young researchers, students, and practicing artists, contributing to a deeper understanding of puppet theatre as a synthetic art form that integrates scholarly knowledge and artistic practice.