Matt Smith is Reader in Applied Theatre and Puppetry at the University of Portsmouth, UK, prior to that having spent 20 years as a community artist. During this time, he worked with schools, youth groups, children in care, special needs groups, prisons, hospitals, environmental agencies and the homeless. He has published a number of journal articles on applied puppetry.
"""Matt Smith offers an insider's guide to the world of applied puppetry - challenging us to think with and play with a world of objects. This is vital reading for all those interested in learning about the arts applied within communities or across different contemporary issues and concerns."" --James Thompson, University of Manchester, UK ""This is an eloquent, fascinating and timely book rooted in the author's varied and exciting journey in Applied Puppetry and Object Performance, from eco junk-puppetry with children to innovative and difficult work with asylum seekers in HMP Haslar. Essential reading for anyone interested in the myriad possibilities of puppetry."" --Dr Adam Strickson, Visiting Research Fellow & PhD tutor, School of PCI (Performance and Cultural Industries), University of Leeds, UK"