PuppetFest 2008 Workshops

All workshops and time slots are tentative and still subject to change at any time.
Several Workshops require a materials fee.  This is to be paid directly to the workshop presenter at the workshop (exact change cash or check only).
There will be sign-up sheets for all workshops with limited participation at registration on July 10.Carol Fijan's hand puppet manipulation class is limited to 15 participants. The participants will be chosen by lottery at registration on July 10. If you cannot be present at registration, you may have a friend who is present submit your name.

That's the fine print!

Session One is 8:30 - 10:00 and Session Two is 10:15 - 11:45

Friday

Session One

Meet the Artist
Moderator: Allelu Kurten

Come and meet the performers from the previous day's performances. Ask pertinent or probing questions and get some surprising answers and insights!
90 minute roundtable
No attendance limit
All skill levels

Magical Miniature Marionettes
Instructor: Jill Kyle-Keith

Participants will sculpt a miniature marionette and learn techniques for selling them Online.
3 hour construction / lecture workshop.
Limited to 25 participants. (We may also allow 10 auditors.)
All skill levels
$7 Materials Fee

Newspaper Theater
Instructor: Rebecca Saunders

Create a life-sized puppet from newspaper and masking tape and learn to perform with it in a story.
3 hour lecture / construction / participation workshop.
Limited to 30 participants. (Unlimited audit space will be added only after the class is full with active participants and, as long as they don't get in the builder's way.)

Acting with Puppets
Instructor: Carol Fijan

Participants will learn tips on how to successfully manipulate and act with handpuppets.
3 hour participation workshop.
Limited to 15 participants.
All skill levels.

Creating a Sensational Soundtrack
Instructor: Jamie Keithline

How to design a soundtrack that adds to the show without overwhelming the action or confusing the puppeteer.
90 minute demo / lecture.
No attendeance limit.
All skill levels.

Toy Theatre (a.k.a. Juvenile Drama): Tradition and Community
Instructors: Gigi Sandberg, Ann and George Neff, and Marianne and Tom Tucker.

Explore toy theatre as a performance art, as a history of theater, family entertainment and a creative outlet. Participants will make a toy theater and receive a complete set of items for a play.
6 hour (2 Day) demo / construction / participation workthrough workshop.
Limited to 20 participants.
Beginner to intermediate skill levels.
$20 material fee.
If you are planning to register for this workshop, please contact Marianne Tucker at Tucktale@aol.com or (215) 885-7073 by July 1. Marianne will supply you with details, including tools or materials that you will need to bring.

Table Top Rod Puppets
Instructor: K. Elizabeth Evans

Building techniques for Table Top rod puppets for use with performances, older students and workshops/residencies.
6 hour (2 Day Workthrough) construction / participation workshop.
Limited to 15 participants.
Skill level – Advanced hobbyist to professional; Teachers.
$45 material fee.
If you are planning to register for this workshop, please contact Marianne Tucker at Tucktale@aol.com or (215) 885-7073 by June 27. Marianne will supply you with details, including tools or materials that you will need to bring.


Session Two

2nd session of Acting with Puppets

2nd session of Magical Miniature Marionettes

2nd session of Newspaper Theater

2nd session of Table Top Rod Puppets

2nd session of Toy Theatre

Finding A Voice
Instructor: Steve Abrams

Unlock your creative vocal potential. This session leads participants step by step, from very easy animal sounds, to cartoon voices, to the creation of a character voice for a puppet.
90 Minute lecture / participation workshop.
No attendance limit.
All skill levels.

Saturday

Session One

3rd session of Table Top Rod Puppets

3rd session of Toy Theatre

Meet the Artist
Moderator: Allelu Kurten

Come and meet the performers from the previous day's performances. Ask pertinent or probing questions and get some surprising answers and insights!
90 minute roundtable.
No attendance limit.
All skill levels.

Puppets in Film and Video
Instructor: Steven Ritz-Barr

An overview of filming puppets including script preparation, soundtracks, shooting techniques, lighting, movement, camera movement, editing and post production.
3 hour hands-on lecture / demo workshop.
Limited to 30 participants.
Skill level – Active performers and producers

Movement and the Mask
Instructors: Larry Hunt and Adelka Polak

Explore the movement goals, rhythms, and inherent qualities of masks.
3 hour hands-on participation / demo workshop.
Limited to 30 participants.
All skill levels.

Lexan Shadow Puppets
Instructor: Ingrid Crepeau

Participants will learn to make detailed lexan and vinyl shadow puppets.
3 Hour construction workshop.
Limited to 15 participants.
Skill level – Hobbyist to performers.
$10.00 material fee
If you are planning to register for this workshop, please contact Marianne Tucker at Tucktale@aol.com or (215) 885-7073 by July 1. Marianne will supply you with details, including tools or materials that you will need to bring.

Performance and Development of “Here Come the Clowns”
Performer / Instructor: Paul Vincent Davis

Learn how Paul Vincent Davis developed and constructed his newest show; and get to watch a performance by one of our finest hand-puppeteers.
90 Minute performance / lecture / demo workshop.
Limited to 45 participants.
Skill level – Intermediate to professional.

Exploring Marionette Movement
Instructor: Kurt Hunter

Participants will be guided through a series of exercises based on techniques developed by Albrecht Roser.
3 hour lecture / participation workshop.
Limited to 15 participants.
Skill level - Performers.

Session Two

2nd session of Exploring Marionette Movement

2nd session of Lexan Shadow Puppets

2nd session of Movement and the Mask

2nd session of Puppets in Film and Video

4th session of Table Top Rod Puppets

4th session of Toy Theatre

From Folktales to Stage: Hand and Simple Rod Puppets
Performer / Instructor: Diane Kordas

Participants will learn the basic steps needed to create a family show; and get to see a performance of “Hungry Caterpillar and Other Tales”
90 minute performance / lecture / demo workshop.
Limited to 65 participants.
Skill level – Beginner to intermediate; Teachers.

Sunday

One Session Only

Meet the Artist
Moderator: Allelu Kurten

Come and meet the performers from the previous day's performances. Ask pertinent or probing questions and get some surprising answers and insights!
90 Minute Roundtable.
No attendance limit.
All skill levels.

In the Spot and Sharing the Stage – Actors and Puppets
Instructors: Prof. Joann Siegrist and Pat Hale Forrest

Learn to analyze scripts for “youth theater” and “adult theater” performances, and how to conceptualize the addition of puppets.
90 minute lecture / demo workshop.
No attendance limit.
Skill level – Intermediate to professional.

Shoebox Shows
Instructor: Penny Jones

Learn how to create theater magic for use in the public school classroom without elaborate equipment, and re-enforce curriculum needs.
90 minute lecture / demo / hands-on workshop.
Limited to 15 participants.
All skill levels.

Sound Solutions
Instructor: Jamie Keithline

How to avoid trouble with your sound system, and get the best sound possible from your equipment. 90 minute demo / lecture workshop.
No attendance limit.
All skill levels.

Working With Plaster and Neoprene
Instructor: Christopher Hudert

Learn to create and work with a Hydrocal Mold; and learn to cast with Neoprene.
90 minute demo / lecture workshop.
Limited to 50 participants.
All skill levels.

Marionette Mistakes (What Not to Do)
Instructor: Kurt Hunter

Participants will learn to avoid the most common mistakes of first time marionette builders, and methods of correcting many mistakes. 90 minute demo / lecture workshop.
No attendance limit.
Skill level – Beginner to intermediate.

The Role of the Teaching Artist: Writing a Teacher’s Manual
Instructor: Judith O’Hare

Learn to become an effective teacher / trainer in puppetry; and learn techniques based on recent work completed in Nairobi, Kenya.
90 minute demo / lecture workshop.
Limited to 50 participants.
All skill levels and teachers.

Puppet Basics of Voice and Manipulation
Instructor: Ingrid Crepeau

Participants will learn the basics of performing with puppets, with emphasis on the use of voice and mouth movement.
90 minute demo / lecture / participation workshop.
No attenance limit.
Skill level – Beginner to intermediate.


Report any problems with webpages on this site to me[at]DigitalMediaPresentations.com Thank you. Tom Bonham