Emma Cregan is a stop-motion animator from Virginia. Her films are created using analog techniques, telling stories through handcrafted puppets and sets. Emma uses stop-motion puppetry to create abstract worlds rich in texture, where the hyperbolic nature of puppetry allows for more nuanced characters and stories. Emma will return to animation’s roots in puppet theatre by studying the Indonesian puppetry traditions of wayang. Through exploring wayang, Emma will expand her animation skills and investigate the relationship between digital and traditional media. She will discover why wayang has remained a thriving form of artistic expression and how traditional culture remains relevant in the digital age.

As a Fulbright Researcher, Emma is affiliated with Professor Nyoman Sedana and Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) Denpasar in Bali. She interviews puppet performers in Denpasar, Yogyakarta, and Bandung, gaining an understanding of how practices vary regionally. The interviews will be used to create short documentary videos to showcase Indonesia’s cultural heritage and ensure the art form can be passed on to future generations. The research will culminate in a short stop-motion film created using wayang puppetry techniques and illustrating the intersections of modernity and tradition in Indonesia.

Emma has a bachelor of fine arts in kinetic imaging from Virginia Commonwealth University.