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. Outdoor shows: Sir George and the Dragon, The Frog Prince and Princess.
GREAT FOR SUMMER READING THEME 2012 - DREAM BIG, READ: “Hungry Caterpillar and Forest Folktales” or “Pirates and Tales of the Sea”. Each of the puppet shows contain bedtime stories: Great stories for tots to elementary school age children! See descriptions of each show below. Call me for more info. at 603-315-3083.
What are the shows?
The Frog Prince & Princess
The Frog Prince and Princess is rollicking fun for the family, loosely based on the original Brother Grimm’s story of the Frog Prince - double the froggy frolicks. A forest Sorceress helps both Prince and Princess with some magic, will they become human again? This story teaches the importance of keeping promises, and to be careful what you wish for! Told with hand puppets, lots of humor and participation from the audience! Diane’s trademark humor and charming puppetry highlight the show. Great for tots and the whole family, preschoolers, birthdays, library shows, too!
- Created for tots to 2nd grade, family audiences.
- For libraries, daycares/preschools, birthdays, small theatre venues
- Curriculum links: fairy tales, literature, theatre arts.
- Stage specs: Smaller booth style puppet stage, stage is about 4 ft. square, for small groups less than 100.
- One person show, taped music with audience participation.
Review: Heather Pascoe, Kaleidoscope Children’s Museum, Manchester, NH:
“The show was wonderful, so much fun. We had excellent comments and feedback from the parents, and the kids were mesmerized! It was great for the little ones, nothing scary happened, and how the prince and princess changed into frogs and back was magical!”
Pirates and Tales of the Sea!
Pirate Long John Silver and his parrot, Flint find a sea chest full of stories, “How the Whale Got His Throat” , “A Little Mermaid”, and “Ocean Born Mary”. Tales are told with a twist, silly and not scary, 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 and yo ho ho!
- Best for ages 3 and up.
- Great for preschools 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.
- Live music, audience participation, 1 person show
Review: Gay Ellen Dennett, Needham Library:
“The children and parents were mesmerized by the puppet show and participated in the songs- they loved the puppets! The shadow puppets are absolutely enchanting!”
Hungry Caterpillar & 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 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.”
