$150 • July 28-31
ages 5-10
Storytelling through movable art!
Day 1: The Shadow Realm Jointed Silhouette Puppets We kick off the week in the world of light and shadow. Students will design intricate silhouette characters and learn how to use brass fasteners to create moving arms, legs, and wings. We’ll practice "acting" behind a backlit screen to see how our puppets come to life through movement alone.
Day 2: The "Handy" Muppet Sock Transformation & Personality Today is all about character! Using colorful socks and felt, students will build "Moving Mouth" puppets. We’ll focus on facial expression—where do you put the eyes to make them look silly? How does a wig change their personality? By the end of the day, our puppets will have names, voices, and favorite hobbies.
Day 3: Master of Strings Rod & String Marionettes Let’s get those puppets walking! Using recycled tubes and wooden dowels, students will construct "Marionette-style" puppets. We’ll explore the physics of string-tension, learning how a simple flick of the wrist can make a puppet dance, sit, or wave hello to the audience.
Day 4: The Grand Performance Shoebox Theaters & Short Plays Showtime! In our final session, we’ll build mini "Shoebox Stages" for our characters to inhabit. Students will work in small groups to write a 1-minute "Puppet Play," focusing on narrative structure(Beginning, Middle, and End). We’ll end the week with a "Festival of Stories" for the whole class to enjoy.