Bread and Puppet as an environmental and political theatre

The art of puppetry emerged alongside the gods in ancient rituals conducted on sacred altars, and it has continued to evolve throughout history. While this evolution reflects the cultural and political state of human society, it transcends specific cultural elements. The birth of puppetry, especially with its captivating giant puppets that resonate with the human subconscious, provides valuable insights into the perspective of Peter Schumann, the founder of Bread and Puppet Theatre, who approaches puppetry from a societal standpoint. Within this context, the contemporary adaptation of rituals is clearly evident in the performances of Bread and Puppet Theatre and Schumann's work. This thesis aims to explore the formation and development stages of Bread and Puppet Theatre as a resilient force in protest puppetry, examining the team's significant performances and artistic principles from social and political perspectives. Additionally, it investigates the workshop process and construction techniques employed in creating giant puppets during their 'Demons of Society' performance in Istanbul in 2022.