"snowflake bentley"

The "Snowflake Man" returns to Puppet Showplace!

SNOWY STORIES, Dec 5-Jan 2
A series of snowy tales and holiday themed fun at Puppet Showplace this winter!

VIEW FULL PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

UP NEXT: "The Snowflake Man" by Puppetkabob
Thurs & Fri, December 12 & 13 at 10:30am
Sat & Sun, Dec 14 & 15 at 1pm


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Snowy Stories continues with the exciting TRUE story about the world's first pioneer of snowflake photography. Wait, how do you take a picture of an ice crystal? Find out in this UNIMA award-winning production by Puppetkabob!

AND...After the show on Sat & Sun, you can make your very own pop-up theatre for endless puppet fun at home! The "Make Your Own Pop-up Puppet Theatre" begins at 2pm: MORE INFO

About the show: "The Snowflake Man" is an award-winning puppet production inspired by New England inventor Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the self-educated farmer and scientist who attracted world attention when he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. “The Snowflake Man” swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of water color scenery. This memorable performance combines art, science, and a little known piece of New England history to magical effect!

Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.


About the performer: Puppetkabob is an award-winning touring puppet company founded in 2001 by artist Sarah Frechette. Sarah is a puppeteer, artist and arts educator whose work has been experienced in Theaters, Museums, Art Galleries, TV and Film.

Sarah studied in Germany with Legendary Master Puppeteer Albrecht Roser absorbing his theories on Zen and the art of puppetry. She earned her BFA from UConn's Puppet Arts Program. Sarah plays “Penny Pup” on the children's television series “Seemore's Playhouse”, seen on PBS.
 
Puppetkabob's show "The Snowflake Man" was inspired by two New England spirits: that of Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, pioneer of snowflake photography, and Sarah's Grandfather. Behind all of the puppet shows Sarah creates is the memory of her Vermont heritage, her grandparents and relatives who work with their hands and with their hearts.

Sarah Frechette in her workshop!
The performance of "The Snowflake Man" blends czech-style marionettes, miniatures, pop-up paper art, music and live storytelling to convey historical information that is dramatic and personal. Puppetkabob was awarded the UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence for the production of "The Snowflake Man." The show was recently pictured in the New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer!

"The Snowflake Man" was a featured at the following 2013 Festivals: Outside the Box Festival in Boston, MA; the Puppeteers of America (r)Evolution National Puppetry Festival in Swarthmore, PA; the Puppets Take Long Island Festival in Garden City, NY: and at the 10th International Toy Theater Festival in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY.

Build Your Own Pop-Up Puppet Theatre!
Sat & Sun at December 14 & 15 at 2pm


About the workshop: Bring your own snowy story to life in this fun family workshop. Using simple art materials, participants will learn how to create their own paper puppets and table-top scenery inspired by the colorful pop-up book art of "The Snowflake Man." Award-winning puppeteer and artist Sarah Frechette, a graduate of the University of Connecticut's Puppet Arts program, will provide guidance and answer puppetry-related questions throughout. Need an extra holiday-season incentive? Pop-up puppet theatres make great family gifts! 

Workshop participant

Meet Puppetkabob! In-residence Through Feb 18th

PST Welcomes Guest Artist: Sarah Frechette

Sarah Frechette of Puppetkabob
Here at PST, we are excited to host guest artist-in-residence, Sarah Frechette, the founder of awarding winning puppet company, Puppetkabob.  Her inspring work can be seen on our stage Feb 7-18th with two different shows, and a special one-night only masterclass on Thurs, Feb 7th. First up is the UNIMA award winning production of "The Snowflake Man", based on the story of Snowflake Bentley, the first man to take a photograph of a snowflake.  Continuing with the theme of exciting stories from American History, PST will present Puppetkabob's, "Under Night Sky" to kick off our February Vacation Week programming. 

Join us this February as snowflakes and stars come to life!

The Snowflake Man by Puppetkabob
Thurs & Fri | Feb 7 & 8 | 10:30 AM
Sat & Sun | Feb 9 & 10 | 1 & 3 PM


About the show: The story of "The Snowflake Man" is inspired by Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, the self-educated farmer and scientist who attracted world attention when he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. "The Snowflake Man" transports audiences into historic New England through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of water color scenery. This show combines art, science, and New England history to magical effect! 

The Snowflake Man was awarded a 2011 UNIMA Citation of Excellence. This show is sponsored in part by a Creation Grant from the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Under Night Sky by Puppetkabob
Thurs & Fri | Feb 14 & 15 | 10:30 AM
Sat & Sun | Feb 16 & 17 | 10:30 AM
Mon | Feb 18 | 10:30 AM & 1 PM


About the show: "Under Night Sky" follows three children on journeys united by threads of courage, love and hope. Unravel the stories of the Underground Railroad stitched together in Grandmother's patchwork quilt. Hear the waves crash aside the ship as you listen to the magical tale of an Irish Memory Quilt. Quietly enter an Old School House to see a girl proudly wearing her coat of rags, stitched to patchwork perfection. 

Puppetkabob artist Sarah Frechette revolutionizes the ancient art of shadow puppetry by using light to manipulate depth and space. "Under Night Sky" is a show that blends hand-held lights, illustrated paper puppets, composed music, and character storytelling to create a style of cinematic puppetry that flows like film.

Strings Attached - Puppetry and Solo Performance Workshop with Instructor: Sarah Frechette

One session: Thursday February 7, 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Location: Puppet Showplace Theatre

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If you ever wondered what it would be like to put on a one person show, join master artist and professional puppeteer, Sarah Frechette for this fun and eye-opening workshop. Frechette will take you through the creation process of her award-winning solo show “The Snowflake Man,” which is based on the life of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley and features a cast of beautifully sculpted Czech-style marionettes. This is an introductory-level class: prior experience is not necessary. MORE INFO

Today, Sarah Frechette joins us as a guest blogger to take us behind-the-scenes of her upcoming shows:

BEHIND-THE-SCENES WITH SARAH FRECHETTE
by Guest Blogger: artist Sarah Frechette of Puppetkabob

Photos taken by the real "Snowflake Bentley"

When my grandfather was a young boy he purchased from Snowflake Bentley three snowflake photos. My grandfather's pride in his photos inspired my idea for this show and at the heart of it is a love letter from me to my late Grandfather. Behind all of the shows I create is the memory of my Vermont heritage, my grandparents and relatives who work with their hands and with their hearts.

I enjoy collaborating and was delighted to work with many great & talented friends on this project. And I made Bentley a sharp dressed man!

For my performance I blend czech-style marionettes, miniatures, pop-up paper art, music and live storytelling to convey historical information in a way that I find fun, dramatic and personal. My goal is to draw the audience into the experience and leave having learned something. I use an antique trunk to create the stage for Snowflake Bentley's life and the scenery changes by flipping the pages on a hand painted watercolor pop-up book. In The Snowflake Man, I engage the audience through dialogue and interaction to illustrate Bentley's theories and passions for the minute in nature. My narrator character is human and marionette-sized creating fun dramatic moments with Snowflake Bentley.

Miniature Czech-style marionettes built by Sarah Frechette for "The Snowflake Man"  
In 2011 I received an UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence for The Snowflake Man which is a great honor as it is like the Oscar of Puppetry!

I am taking The Snowflake Man on the road this month on a mini tour starting at the Puppet Showplace Theatre, then to libraries in Vermont and ending at Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater in Sag Harbor, New York. This summer, I will be a featured performer at the Puppet Festival
(r)Evolution in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania on August 13, 2013!

I am also touring my cinematic style shadow puppet show UNDER NIGHT SKY with puppeteer Carole D'Agostino - look for that show this coming February 14-18 at the Puppet Showplace! We then head to Hop Stop at Dartmouth College and to the Long Island Children's Museum.

-Sarah Frechette

Sarah Frechette performs "The Snowflake Man" to delighted audiences!
“The incredible attention to detail, both visually and in her performance style, demonstrates Sarah's mastery of storytelling in this charming show!”...UNIMA-USA

“My granddaughters, daughter, daughter-in-law and I all enjoyed your
show. It was beautiful!”...Peabody Essex Museum, MA

“One might think that young children would prefer puppets that are
loud and flashy, but they were enraptured with Sarah's story and her
marionettes.”...Philadelphia Museum of Art