Learn How to Create Character Voices!

Adult and Teen Classes at Puppet Showplace Theatre

Fundamentals of Silly Voices  

with Brenda Huggins, Teaching Artist
4 sessions, Tuesdays March 25 - April 15 | 6:30-8:30pm

LEARN MORE/ REGISTER ONLINE

Are you a puppeteer, storyteller or librarian? Are you a parent who wants to incorporate character voices into story-time with your little ones? Sign-up for "Silly Voices" and learn how to bring exciting characters to life with your voice. Class starts soon, sign-up today!

About the Class:

In this fun and rigorous class, participants will discover how their voice works and learn how make it work for them. Through interactive vocal warm-ups and exercises, students will explore their own vocal ranges and learn techniques for breath support, projection, and maintaining vocal health. The class will make connections between voice, character, and storytelling using group activities and multiple styles of puppetry and object theatre.

This class is recommended for anyone interested in expanding their repertoire of consistent and expressive character voices, from professional performers to puppetry enthusiasts. 

Participant Testimonial
"Fundamentals of Silly Voices" is a course Brenda Huggins taught at Puppet Showplace Theatre in 2012, and at the 2013 National Puppetry Festival. Here is what a previous student has to say about their experience...

Kaitee Tredway and her puppet, Washburne

"I left Silly Voices with a toolbox: warm-ups, visualization exercises, access to different resonating chambers, and perhaps most importantly, the confidence to experiment and play within my own voice"

- Kaitee Tredway, 

local actor and puppeteer

About the instructor:

Brenda Huggins is a singer, actor, puppeteer, costume designer, theatre and opera director, and teaching artist with an M.A. in Theatre Education from Emerson College. Her background in classical vocal music as a graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a B.A. in Music lead her to develop a unique approach to voice performance that is a combination of techniques from across music and theatre disciplines.

Brenda Huggins with Puppet Playtime character, Bella Monster

Brenda has taught this innovative philosophy in the Greater Boston Area for over 5 years as a private voice teacher and workshop instructor for youth, college students, and adults. Brenda led a workshop of this cross-discipline voice performance technique at the 2013 National Puppetry Conference in Swarthmore, PA. Brenda is the co-creater and puppeteer of Puppet Showplace Theatre's Puppet Playtime, an interactive puppetry performance series with live music for very young audiences. Learn more about PUPPET PLAYTIME.

Learn how to master your own vocal technique in an encouraging classroom environment!

Puppet Playtime is BAAAACCK!

PUPPET PLAYTIME

(For ages 3 and under)

Wednesdays at 10:30am through June 5, 2013

MAKE A RESERVATION

Revenge of the Furs! Puppet Playtime Returns to PST!

by Guest Blogger: Phil Berman

March went out like a crocheted lion, April showers brought May flowers to blossom, and the shining sun over the city can only mean one thing: Puppet Playtime is back at PST for four more shows this spring!

Last week Brenda, Bella Monster and I traveled back to the garden where we met a potpourri of friendly (and hungry) bugs. We even got the chance to take our show on the road last Sunday as we performed for the annual Duckling Day Parade at the Boston Common.

On Wednesday, the three of us will embark on a new camping adventure to explore the night sky with our intrepid audience members. Come for the canoeing and stay for the stargazing as we spend a night in an imaginary forest together with all of our puppet friends.

See you at the theater!

Phil Berman

Performer/Co-Creator Puppet Playtime

This Week in Puppet Playtime...TREES!

Rumble rumble rumble . . . 

by Guest Blogger: Phil Berman, Puppet Playtime performer

Do you hear that? Underneath all the snow? It’s the sound of the acorns stretching in their sleep as they wait patiently for spring.

Performers Phil Berman and Brenda Huggins perform "The Girl and the Squirrel", on stage tomorrow as part of PST's Puppet Playtime!

But how did they get underground when they come from a tree? They’re buried by squirrels saving their nutty snacks for later! The seeds the squirrels forget about start to sprout underground and break out when the weather gets warm.

Join us in the trees tomorrow morning for our fifth session of Puppet Playtime. We have lots in store for you: an arboreal Irish sing-a-long; interactive squirrel games; ballads celebrating American agricultural icons; and of course, the naughtiest crocheted squirrel south of the Charles River.

Brenda, Bella monster and I will be taking a break next week to get ready for the next five sessions of Puppet Playtime. We made it halfway – we hope you’ll continue to join us for the home stretch!!

-PB

Puppet Playtime

Wednesdays at 10:30am
Feb 13 & 27
March 6, 13, 20 & 27

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Puppet Playtime is Puppet Showplace Theatre's NEW weekly interactive performance recommended for children 3 and under (and their grownups)

5-Session passes still available! 

Save by purchasing 5 sessions at one time; buy 4 get one free! There are only 6 sessions left, so now is a great time to take advantage of the 5-session flex pass.  Every week features a new theme with brand-new music and puppet show!

5-Session Flexible Pass: $100 ($75 for members) PURCHASE PASS

This week in Puppet Playtime...

In the Village, in Brookline Village, the Lion Sleeps Tonight . . .
by Guest Blogger: Phill Berman, Puppet Playtime performer

Shhhh…be very quiet…we’re walking through the deep dark Jungle: who knows what friendly animal companions could leap out at any minute? A lion? A mouse? An exotic bird that may-or-may-not-be a chicken? Or could it be the jungle’s most dangerous predator of all – TODDLERS! When the jungle is in the middle of New England’s oldest puppet theatre, the possibilities are endless.

This week's session of Puppet Playtime features the story of the  "Lion and the Mouse!" (in this photo, Bella recreates her own special version!)

As Brenda, Bella Monster and I put the finishing touches on our fourth episode of Puppet Playtime, we find ourselves coming back to the same question: how can this show be more interactive?

We’ve marched with ants, speckled a galaxy with stars and clucked with all the chickens in the barn. As we approach our halfway point in the series, we are still committed to find opportunities for the invisible lines between performers, toddlers and grown-ups to truly disappear.

Bella had a blast last week clucking with our chicken friends!

So far our audiences have done a great job of encouraging each other (as well as the three performers onstage) to commit deeply and fully to the imagination journeys we’ve embarked on. As we adventure into the jungle tomorrow morning, I hope more than ever that everyone is there for each other.

AND WATCH OUT FOR THAT LION!

-PB

Puppet Playtime

Puppet Showplace Theatre's NEW weekly interactive performance recommended for children 3 and under (and their grownups)

Wednesdays at 10:30am
Feb 6, 13 & 27
March 6, 13, 20 & 27

LEARN MORE/ BUY TICKETS!

Drop in rate: $25 per child-adult pair ($10 additional child)
5-Session Flexible Pass: $100 ($75 for members)

This Week in Puppet Playtime!

Puppet Playtime: Opening circle with Phil Berman and Brenda Huggins

PUPPET PLAYTIME FOR TODDLERS AND TINY TOTS!
Wednesdays at 10:30am through March

MAKE A RESERVATION

Bella Monster and the very hungry Caterpillar!

We are two weeks into our brand new interactive program for young children (ages 0-3) and it has been a blast!  So far we have adventured with our fabulous furry friend Bella Monster to outer space, marched with ants in the garden (hurrah, hurrah!), dined with a very hungry caterpillar, and sang our favorite songs and new original tunes composed by our very own Puppet Playtime performer, Phil Berman.  

One of the participants with a 2 year old child said:

 "My daughter was singing the songs from Puppet Playtime all day long, the experience has definitely stuck with her.  We will be back next week!"


WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THIS WEEK?
Guest Blogger: Phil Berman

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Wake up and smell the corn husks, this Wednesday morning Puppet Playtime is off to the farm! 

Brenda, Bella Monster and I have been blessed with Puppet Showplace's rich and eclectic stock of puppets from past productions that are (literally) hanging around every corner of the theater. When developing new shows every week we try to take our cue from the wealth of materials already available to us. Bella Monster discovered a box of chicken puppets created by my dear friend from Free Hands, Allie Herryman, and we knew they were too good not to use in a show.

It turns out there's a lot of great children's music featuring these fearless flightless fowl. There's something hilariously satisfying about these birds to folks of all ages: is it the noise? the movement? the prideful attitude? We humans may never truly understand why we love chickens so much. What I can tell you is that we have a fun-filled interactive show ready for our littlest chicks: 

We'll crow and squawk and bark and whinny with the rest of the animals in the farm; plant wheat with a well-known avian baker; shake eggs while we cluck with the hens; and recount the stresses and joys of poultry puppet parenthood.

Don't stay cooped up all winter - we'll see you at the theater on Wednesday morning -- don't forget your overalls!

See you at the Theatre!

-PB

This week in Puppet Playtime....

Two 5-week sessions: Weds @ 10:30am 

Last week's Puppet Playtime with Bella:  "Adventure in the Night Sky"

Jan 16 - Feb 13; Feb 27 - Mar 27

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THE FUN IS JUST BEGINNING!

What a blast! Our BRAND NEW programing for toddlers and tiny tots kicked of last week, to great success. This interactive program is designed especially for little ones and their grown-ups to sing and sway along, and join in the fun. Today, Puppet Playtime performer, Phil Berman returns as a guest blogger to talk about the program, and give us a sneak-peek at what is in store for tomorrow!

GUEST BLOGGER: PHILIP BERMAN

Phil Berman

What a whirlwind week! It's hard to believe that Brenda, Bella and I are already on our second episode of PUPPET PLAYTIME. The three of us had a blast last Wednesday on our adventure in the night sky with all the kids and grown-ups who braved the snow to play, sing songs and experience the magic of live puppetry.

As a kids' performer with no children of my own, I spend a lot of time thinking about how my work can best fit in with the busy lives of the families we entertain. With very young children it can be a hassle to leave the house to go anywhere, let alone attend arts events! What can my work offer to kids and grown-ups alike that makes each show a "must-see?"

What I saw last week was a beautiful preview of things to come: parents, caretakers, relatives and lots of little tykes playing with their familiar faces. By the end of the program, kids were singing, clapping and laughing together (as well as some of thier older companions.) I hope that this feeling of family and community continues to grow as we continue with the series through the winter.

Tomorrow we're in for an icky treat at PUPPET PLAYTIME: we'll march with the ants, meet a quartet of quarrelsome critters, wash out spiders and feed some very hungry caterpillars. Leave the OFF! at home, because this buggy adventure is sure to bring a smile to kids and grown-ups alike.

See you at the theater!

PB

Come dance, play and pretend with us, Wednesdays this winter at 10:30am!

Brookline Local Businesses "Lend A Hand"

It Takes a Village to Keep Our Theatre Open!

Many generous private donors have contributed to our "Lend A Hand" fundraising campaign this December.  Our goal is to raise $15,000 by January 1st, and we are close to reaching that goal!  In addition to the many individuals who support our non-profit theatre, there are local businesses right in Brookline Village also "Lending A Hand!"

Read more about our "Lend A Hand" campaign, including donation incentives and matching challenges on the PST Website: MORE INFO

Koko FitClub Brookline

39 Harvard Street, Brookline MA 02445, (617)-566-5656

At Koko, you can now support Puppet Showplace Theatre while Koko helps you stay healthy!

LEARN MORE/ SIGN-UP

For every patron of the Puppet Showplace Theatre who joins Koko FitClub by 12/31/2012, Koko FitClub will donate $50 to the Theatre to help meet its fundraising goal. Thanks to Koko, here is a great way to help us and help you get healthier at the same time. 

 Use promo code: BRPST-1112. 

Better than personal training. It’s Koko SMARTRAINING.

If you’ve been thinking about getting back in shape, about improving your health, and finding some much-needed YOU time in your busy schedule, we welcome you to experience Koko FitClub. Koko gives you all the benefits of personal training without the personal trainer. Our patented Koko Smartraining System plans your workouts, guides you through each exercise, and tracks your progress. All built into our award-winning equipment and all customized just for you. It’s the most effective and affordable 30-minute strength and cardio training system in fitness. And you can come in whenever you want. So the only schedule that matters is yours. For men and women, Koko is the world’s best 30 minute workout. Visit www.kokofitclub.com to see Koko in action. 

Henry Bear's Park, Brookline
19 Harvard Street, Brookline MA 02445, (617) 264-2422

Shop local this holiday season!  All three stores (Brookline, Cambridge and Arlington) offer a lively assortment of toys, books, and games for all ages. From the very first infant rattle, right on through family board games.  Henry Bear's Park strives to find toys that promote healthy and positive play.

Community Wraps:  Henry Bear's Park has invited PST to wrap gifts at their Brookline location on Saturday, Dec 22nd and Sunday, Dec 23rd.  Shoppers are asked to give a small cash donation to PST for this service.  The store will provide all of the wrapping materials, and even MATCH every dollar donated with a gift certificate for PST to use at their store.  Puppets LOVE playtime! This generous gift is perfect timing for our upcoming "Puppet Playtime" program beginning in January, where little patrons ages 0-3 and their grown-ups will join us Wednesdays at 10:30am for free play, sing-along, storytelling and puppet shows.

Thank you Henry Bear's Park from "Puppet Playtime" performers Phil Berman, Bella Monster, and Brenda Huggins! MORE ABOUT PUPPET PLAYTIME