Bulgarian theatre and film academy. Founded in 1948 in Sofia, the Natsionalna akademia za teatralni i filmovi izkustva, or NATFA (formerly Vizsh institut po teatralni izkustva, or VITIZ, and later Natsionalna akademia po teatralni i filmovi izkustva, or NATFIZ) is today the only higher (tertiary) education institution in Bulgaria which awards officially recognized diplomas and degrees in all fields of theatre and film production.

Department of Puppetry (Katedra za kuklen teatur)

This department in the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts “Krustyo Sarafov” was established in 1962 by professors Atanas Ilkov and Nikolina Georgieva in close collaboration with architect and stage designer Ivan Tzonev. The department heralded the beginning of professional training for puppeteers in Bulgaria. The education of puppetry has several different branches: Acting, Directing and Stage Design.

Acting for the Puppet Theatre (Aktiorsko maistorstvo za kuklen teatur)

This four-year programme covers the following courses: History and Theory of Theatre, Acting, Stage-Speaking (Voice for the Stage), and Stage Movement, Construction and Technology of Puppets, Rhythmics, Music, Singing, Dance. Every year, sixteen new students study to be actors for the puppet theatre. After the fourth course, the young actors graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Acting, qualifying as an actor.

Directing for the Puppet Theatre (Rezhisura za kuklen teatur)

This two-year programme follows after the Bachelor’s degree in Acting. It covers the following courses: History and Theory of Theatre, Directing, Acting, Stage-Speaking (Voice for the Stage), Stage Movement, Construction and Technology of Puppets, Rhythmics, Music, Singing, Drama Theory, Stage Design, Dramaturgy, Fine Arts. Every two years, four to five new candidates join the course. Students of Directing graduate with a Master’s degree in Directing, qualifying as a director.

Stage Design for the Puppet Theatre (Scenographia za kuklen teatur)

The four-year Stage Design programme covers the following courses: Stage Design, Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Costume History, History and Theory of Theatre, Construction and Technology of Puppets, Directing, Drama Theory, Stage Lighting. Every two years, four to six new candidates join the class. After the fifth year, students graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Stage Design, qualifying as a stage designer.

(See Bulgaria.)