Workshops are designed to help children develop creativity, enhance self esteem and discover the magic of puppetry. A variety of workshops are available, including basic skills of puppet construction and performance, depending on participants age and ability. Types of puppets such as shadow, hand, rod, and marionettes are demonstrated with each workshop and their history explained, in order to give participants a brief overview of puppetry in general. Workshops encourage development of creativity, verbal skills and expression, problem solving skills. When projects require working with other participants to complete a project, they are a great team building activity. Residencies are extended workshops that can involve either small or large groups to develop a project over a full day or multiple days or weeks. For example: create puppets, develop script, practice puppet performance skills and put on the play “Jack and the Beanstalk” or “The Selfish Giant”.

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WORKSHOPS

Workshops are offered both for children and for teachers. Designed as a small intensive class, each workshop is intended for groups of about 25 participants. Any of the puppet shows or workshops are available for any summer reading programs, recreation centers, schools and more! Diane also provides great Teacher Training workshops for Early Childhood Learning programs as well as schools. Most of the following workshops can be tailored for preschoolers to adults.

SHADOW PUPPET WORKSHOP

Least time intensive, very simple yet fun way to introduce participants to puppet making. I can present a shadow puppet demonstration or puppet show using my shadow stage, then children will make their own shadow puppet for simple performance and to keep.  Children use my stage for the performance piece as I narrate the story.  Allow  1  1/2 hours for demo/performance, creation of puppets, participant practice and performance and clean up.   If participants create their own story, more time will be required.  Shadow puppets can be created around any theme or curriculum needs or just for fun. For example:  Outerspace theme for Mass. summer reading 2009,  Ocean and Beach theme for NH summer reading 2009 program.  Contact Diane for fees and details.

RECYCLED INSTRUMENT WORKSHOP

Diane teaches participants how to make instruments from recycled items. With this hands on approach, children have fun and explore their creativity by making their own instruments to keep and play. Younger children under 8 years old need adult assistance. Includes making rainsticks, shakers, maracas, and drums for a lot of fun.  Contact Diane for fees and details.

GLOVE PUPPET WORKSHOP

Participants learn to make glove puppets according to age and ability.

• Felt hand puppets - children decorate simple hand puppets with hair, google eyes and costume and learn manipulation techniques.  Allow 1  1/2 hours for decorating and manipulation techniques.  Volunteers cut and sew the basic glove pattern that Diane supplies prior to the workshop, otherwise, a $5 per puppet fee applied.
• No Paint Paper Mache Head hand puppets: most time intensive. Great for residencies, requires minimum of 7 hours with volunteers assisting with prep and classroom for elementary grades. A 1 hour class in manipulation and voice and how to make the puppet come alive is required after building the puppets. Use them to act out stories, become language partners and more!
• Plastic Bottle Hand Puppets: recycle and have fun.  Use plastic water bottles covered with tissue mache rather than make paper mache heads.  A little less time consuming than regular paper mache.   Make zany characters that can be partners in literature or just for fun. Time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours to make the head, more time needed to add the cloth body.  Great for residencies,  volunteers assist with prep and classroom for elementary grades. Less time needed for grades 5 - 12. Possible applications:   Make historical or storybook characters and present as performance for classmates and family.

ROD PUPPET WORKSHOP

• Plastic Bottle Rod Puppets: recycle and have fun.  Use plastic liter bottles covered with tissue mache, bodies are made of paper towel tubes and old small turtlenecks.   Make zany characters that can be partners in literature or just for fun. Time: Varies with age of participants.  Great for residencies,  volunteers assist with prep and classroom for elementary grades. Less time needed for grades 5 - 12. Possible applications:   Make historical or storybook characters and present as performance for classmates and family.

Combination Workshop/Show: Combination puppet making workshop and concert or puppet show. 45 mins. puppet making, followed by a 1/2 hour concert or puppet show. Fun for libraries, schools, preschools. Example: Make a paper pirate puppet, followed by 1/2 hour concert of songs about the ocean, pirates, treasure. Make a dinosaur paper puppet, followed by 1/2 hour concert of songs about dinosaurs.

Teacher Training: Using Puppets in the Classroom or Library - Teachers and Librarians discover the advantages of using puppets as teaching tools, to tell stories, introduce new topics and more. Participants will learn how to make a simple table top stage for shadow and hand puppets, will make a simple shadow and hand puppet with accompanying applications for classroom and/or library. Time: 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Click on this link to see more Workshops/ Residency pictures.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

The Artist in Residence is an opportunity to have Diane present new creative learning ideas for your school using puppets and/or music. Also, refer to Workshops offered for details. Residencies may be 1 or more days depending on availability, goals of the residency and funding. Culminating events have included children performing a puppet show with their own puppets that they have created during the residency and a concert following a song writing workshop! Learning experiences are usually coordinated with teachers and blend with the curriculum standards. For examples of past residencies see “workshops” above and pictures. As a member of the NH Council on the Arts Touring Artist Roster, funding is available via grants through the NH Council on the Arts, you may click on their link below.

Fee is negotiable, depending on duration of residency and number of students.