Registration Information

Late arrivals should go directly to the Cumberland dorm to pick up room assignment. Then go to the Festival Office on the third floor of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center for their Festival packet.

If the Office is closed, see Bill Scott or MayField Piper.

• return to homepage

No registration fee is required for children under the age of 6. However, by Puppeteers of America Board directive, children under 6 (including nursing babies) are not permitted to attend festival performances or workshops, and the parent or legal guardian must assume the cost of lodging and meals for the child. Although it is not desirable to bring very young children to the Festival, we know that some of you simply have no choice. Therefore, at this Festival, we will make every effort to provide a workshop, performance or video presentation suitable for children 6 years and under each day of the Festival!

Additionally, anyone under the age of 18 and not accompanied by a parent or guardian must have a note appointing a registered adult as responsible for that minor child. The Festival staff will be glad to assist you in finding such a person.

• Registration Form

*If you are not a Puppeteers of America member and you wish to join, go to http://www.puppeteers.org/signup.html for complete information. Once you have signed up, you can fill out the form as a member and qualify for a substantial discount.

Single Day Registration is available for Friday July 11 and Saturday July 12 at $105 per day for Puppeteers of America members, and $115 for non-members. That includes all Festival activities for that one day. [Correction 4/8/2008 - We apologize for incorrect information regarding meals and housing for Single Day Registration posted prior to 4/8/2008.] Single Day Registration does not include housing or meals. Single night housing is available separately, and single meals may be purchased for cash in the dining room.

Our meal plan includes all meals from dinner on Thursday July 10 – breakfast on July 13. There will be selections appropriate for vegetarians and vegans. The price is $75.

Please note that we have been assured that there will be “child friendly” options such as peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches and hamburgers and fries available.

Interested in Kosher meals? They may be available, probably at additional cost. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form, and we’ll keep you posted.

If you do not wish to use our meal plan, you may be able find something to your liking at the food court in the Stamp Student Union.

If you choose a double and have a preferred roommate, please add a note to your registration form and let us know whom that person is. If you’re looking for a roommate, let us know and we’ll help you find one.

If you are interested in staying at a hotel, we recommend the University Inn and Conference Center. It is the only hotel within walking distance of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Please contact them directly at 800-676-6137. The rates are currently $89 - $149 / night.

If you find that the University Inn and Conference Center is full try Comfort Inn and Suites University Square / College Park, 9020 Baltimore Blvd, College Park, MD 20740. On weekdays, call 240-965-1316 to speak with Kathleen. Ask for the Puppeteers of America Package. Rates begin at about $99 for a room that sleeps four. You can also email Kathleen at sc[at]cicollegepark.com. Comfort Inn provides a shuttle to College Park Metro Station and Clarice Smith Center from 8 AM – 9 PM.

If you have decided to stay off campus, and will be driving to festival events, you’ll want to get a campus-parking pass. They will be available for $5.00 when you pick up your registration packet at the Festival.

A pre-Festival (Thursday July 10 2008, 8:30-3:30) Puppetry in Education and Therapy Professional Development Workshop is facilitated by Judith O’Hare (Winner of the 2007 Marjorie Batchelder McPharlin Award presented by Puppeteers of America for contributions in Education), assisted by Liz Freeman and Matthew Bernier.

If you would like to attend A Day for the Teaching Artist, please note the early registration time: Thursday July 10, 8:30 AM. You’ll register at the location of the workshop, which will be announced in the spring. It is recommended that you plan to arrive Wednesday evening. The Workshop registration fee is $40.00 for the day, including lunch.

Early arrivals can be accommodated in the dorms. The fee for an extra night in the dorms is $54 for singles and $44 per person for doubles.

The Lion King option is no longer available.