Puppet Shows
A typical puppet show:
A musical introduction begins most shows. Some shows incorporate a sing-along, depending on the venue and size of the audience. Most of the puppet shows are about 45 minutes long, followed by a 5 - 10 minute puppet demo. after the show. Hungry Caterpillar, Gingerbread Man, and Sir George and the Dragon can be offered as 30 min. shows on my small booth stage for birthday parties, preschools and libraries with small spaces. Fees vary depending on size of venue/audience, 1 or 2 person shows.
What are the shows?
Outerspace Adventures!
Humorous and educational stories comprise one 45 min. program: “The Bears in the Stars” about why and how the Ursa Major and Minor constellations (the bears) are in the sky; and “The Rabbit and the Moon” an Asian tale about a rabbit who goes to the moon; and an Alien adventure skit. Audience participation and lots of fun!
- Best for ages 3 and up.
- Great for libraries, preschools, daycares and kindergartens.
- Curriculum links: Literature, folklore, Greek Mythology, music and theatre arts.
- Stage specs: Stage 9 ft. long, 6 ft. high, 6 ft. deep, for small groups less than 200.
- Live and taped music, audience participation
Review: Barbara Rhodes, BPL Branch, Jamaica Plain Library:
“Diane always adds extra to each show she performs - the puppets are beautiful and the special effects held the audience spellbound - and the alien was adorable, kids just loved him!”
The Merry Christmas Show
Three short stories make up this merry Christmas show for holiday fun for the family: “The Bear’s Christmas” - the snow fairy tries to tell bear about Christmas, and bear discovers being with family is the best part! “Santa and The Snowman” - the Abominable snowman who helps Santa on Christmas eve. “The Gingerbread Man” sprints through the Christmas show - where will he be next? Total time is about 45 mins.
- Created for all ages, great for families.
- For libraries, holiday events, daycares, preschools, kindergartens, small venues and more.
- Curriculum links: Literature, storytelling, theatre arts.
- Stage specs: Stage (with lights) 5 ft. wide, 4 ft. high, 4 ft. deep, for small groups less than 100.
- One person show, taped music with audience participation.
Review: Maria Donati, Nashua Child Learning Center, Nashua, NH: “We just love Diane’s puppet shows. The kids enjoyed the Bear story, Santa and of course the Gingerbread Man. She always has the children participate and really holds their attention.”
Pirates, Ahoy!
Great for 2010 NH Library Summer Reading theme - “Make A Splash - Read”. Pirates Ahoy revised as a 1 person puppet show with Long John Silver and his parrot, Flint, who find a sea chest full of stories, “How the Whale Got His Throat” and “A Little Mermaid” using a combination of hand and shadow puppets. The story of “Ocean Born Mary”, the NH pirate legend, is told with hand puppets (pictured), lots of laughs and audience participation. Available May 2010.
- Best for ages 3 and up.
- Great for schools and libraries, theatre venues and more.
- Teacher packet available, curriculum links: history, literature, folklore, music and theatre arts.
- Stage specs: Stage 5′ x 5′, 6′ depth, props, lighting, audiences less than 200.
- Taped music, 1 person show
Review: Casey Sutton Brown, PTO, Ashby Elementary School, Ashby, MA:
“I can’t believe grades K-5 stayed so involved with the story (Pirates Ahoy) and participated in the songs- they loved the puppets!”
Hungry Caterpillar & Forest Folktales
Adaptations for Mass. Library Summer Reading 2010 - “Go Green with Hungry Caterpillar and Forest Folktales” - handouts about forest habitats and the environment, “Habitat” song, and “It Ain’t Easy Being Green” also included.
HUNGRY CATERPILLAR AND FOREST FOLKTALES: Diane weaves 3 engaging tales for younger children - “The Hungry Caterpillar”, about the development of a butterfly; “The Bear and the Beehive”, a story of strength in numbers; and “The Rabbit and the Moon”, a charming tale of friendship, sharing, and the rewards of helping someone in need. Diane’s trademark humor, music, lovely puppets and effects make this fun for the family.
- Created for tots to 2nd grade.
- For schools, libraries, larger daycares/preschools, theatre venues and more.
- Teacher packet available, curriculum links: science, literature, folklore, music and theatre arts.
- Stage specs: Stage 9 ft. long, 6 ft. high, 6 ft. deep, for small groups less than 200.
- One person show, live music with audience participation.
Review: Judith LaPlante, Teacher, Josiah Bartlett Elementary School, Bartlett, NH:
“I wanted to thank you for the wonderful performance this week. All the children were awestruck and thoroughly entertained. The adult comments were equally favorable. The plays were aged appropriately for our young audience, and the business end of the experience was easily handled. All in all a very good experience for Bartlett School.”
Sir George and the Dragon
A fun and exciting medieval tale with Diane’s trademark humor and audience participation to update this classic. The knight Sir George rescues the Princess Petunia from a very hungry baby dragon. No swords here, but Sir George subdues the dragon just the same!
- Fun for family events, great for all ages, teens, adults.
- Birthdays, classroom performance, libraries, preschools, theatre venues and more.
- Curriculum links: Theatre arts, music, legend and lore (comedy version of original medieval tale)
- Taped music, one person show.
- Stage specs: Smaller booth style puppet stage, stage is about 4 ft. square, for small groups less than 100.
Review: Sue Mayo, Director, Create and Discover Preschool, Bow, NH:
“Thank you for coming to Create & Discover last week. The kids loved your music and the show! The teachers also liked it!!! We thought you were great with the kids! Everyone had a really good time, and the parents said the kids talked about your show nonstop.”
The Elves and the Shoemaker with
The Gingerbread Man
This is a seasonal show for November through March. The first tale is the classic Grimms folk tale about 2 Elves who help a poor shoemaker get back in business. A Gingerbread boy finishes the program. Lots of humor and audience participation as they help with the elf magic!
- Great for ages 3 - 8 and family audiences.
- For schools, libraries, preschools, theatre venues and more.
- Curriculum links: Literature, folk tales, music, theatre arts.
- Stage specs: Stage 9 ft. long, 6 ft. high, 6 ft. deep, for small groups less than 200.
- Live music, 1 puppeteer, 1 musician - email for fee.
Review: Colleen Martin, Director, Steepletop preschool, Pelham, NH:
“The show was spot-on for this age group (preschool / kindergarten). They loved to participate and help the characters in the story. Kids still talk about the show you did here last year! It’s amazing you held their attention for a 45 min. program!”
The Bremen Town Musicians
Adapting the traditional Grimms brothers folk tale, these three animals join together to form one fantastic band and audition for the king. A tricky robber throws a wrench in their plans however. Lots of participation and fun.
- Great for ages 3 - 10 and family audiences.
- For schools, libraries, preschools, theatre venues and more.
- Curriculum links: Literature, folk tales, music, theatre arts.
- Stage specs: Stage 9 ft. long, 6 ft. high, 6 ft. deep, for groups less than 200.
- Taped music, 1 person show.
Review: Martha Richard, Children’s Librarian, Storrs Library, Longmeadow, MA:
“You performed a very complicated production with multiple puppets and lots of action. You did it all so well, it was a pleasure to watch. By the number of parents and young children who attended this program and commented on your talent, it was a perfect blend of audience participation, music and comedy.”
