Glove Puppet Boot Camp!

Have you ever wanted to operate a puppet like an expert, or even put on your own puppet show? Perhaps you're already experienced in puppetry and are looking to further your horizons in the art. Either-or, there is a wonderful opportunity coming up just for you, where there will be numerous chances for you to cultivate your interests in puppetry. Next month, Puppet Showplace Theater will be holding a Puppet Boot Camp, which is a class where beginners and performers alike will be taught the details and skills required to make a puppet come to life!

Instructor: Brad Shur, Resident Artist

5 Sessions:
Monday-Friday, August 3-7
6:30-8:30pm, Puppet Showplace Theater
Register by July 10: $195, After July 10: $225
Puppet at Night members save 15%!

Glove puppets are versatile and are known for its characteristically unique shape Shown in the photo above is a practice puppet called a "Nobody puppet", which the class will provide in order to practice movements and skills that will ultimately improve a learner's ability to perform using puppets.

This class will be taught by our resident artist, Brad Shur! He is a professional puppeteer who has staged countless  fantastic shows for our audiences and he will be able to teach you the ways professional puppeteers can bring quality theater to your home, or to your own performances. 

gloveclass.jpg

In a setting where both beginners and advanced performers can learn from each other, this camp will beneficial for anyone who is looking for advice and tips on their abilities in puppetry. With people with various skill levels in the same place, it is a great learning experience to be among those who are looking for new ways to improve their performances and those who are just interested putting on their first shows.

Bella's Summer Adventures: The Middle East!

Hi Friends! 

It's Bella again and I'm ready for another amazing week! I hope you made it out to the New England Aquarium last week and got to see all of the fantastic creatures that can be found in the deep blue. This week I'm flying out of the ocean and over to the Middle East!

First adventure of the week is, of course, seeing An Arabian Adventure at Puppet Showplace Theater!

An Arabian Adventure, by Tanglewood Marionettes is a beautiful love story told using traditional aspects of Middle Eastern culture. You won't want to miss it!

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Wednesday through Saturday
July 29-August 1 at 10:30am & 1pm

Friday, July 30 at 7pm

“An Arabian Adventure” tells the tale of a prince who is thrown into a dungeon because of his love for a beautiful princess. Facing danger at every turn, the courageous prince must battle his way out of the underground prison to save his princess from a tragic fate. The production features over a dozen beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, exquisite “story-book” style scenery, and a soundtrack that combines traditional Western and Middle Eastern music.

Then, I'm heading over to the Boston Children's Museum to see their Ancient World's Collection which has over 300 artifacts from around the world. It'll be great to learn about Middle Eastern culture through the show, and then learn even more at the Children's Museum. After the collection, I'm definitely going to make sure to check out some of the other exhibits at the museum because it's full of creative ways to learn and have fun!

This summer Boston Children’s Museum extends programming outdoors with activities and events on Fort Point. All along the waterfront, witness children and families become inspired by creativity and adventure as they explore outside. Join the Museum for daily and weekly activities, and keep a look out for special festivals and events! More information regarding dates and times can be found at www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org.

Oh! I almost forgot the best part! Just like last week, Puppet Showplace is giving away a family pass for 4 to the Boston Children's Museum so that you and your friends or family can join in the fun too! Follow us on on TwitterInstagram, or Facebook to learn how to win passes!

Alright everyone, وداعا
( That's Arabic for Goodbye!)

~Bella

Internship Adventures!

Hello Dedicated Puppet Showplace Readership!

My name is Dan Friedman, and I’m the artistic intern here at Puppet Showplace Theater for the summer. I'm a Philosophy major at Johns Hopkins, but I've always loved theatre and wanted to learn a little more about puppetry this summer. I've been at PST for two months now, and I've learned so much.

I very quickly got into the swing of things here- this is me inside a giant elephant puppet... 

I very quickly got into the swing of things here- this is me inside a giant elephant puppet...
 

Among all the fun things I’ve been doing, one of my favorite projects thus far has been working with Resident Artist, Brad Shur, in developing his newest work Cardboard Explosion.

The show is especially exciting because it’s completely interactive, the audience gets to design the characters and determine where the story goes. The show is entirely created from cardboard which we hope in turn will inspire children and families to devise their own stories from everyday household materials.

Brad's been trying the show out at a lot of fairs and festivals around New England, in preparation for a main stage debut in January, and I was lucky enough to join him in visiting a Boston public school to present the show to first graders. Walking in the classroom was exciting enough to begin with --working with young audiences that bring so much energy and enthusiasm to every performance is hands down the best part of my job-- and the students had no idea what was in store for them.

Brad and one of many cardboard puppets! 

Brad and one of many cardboard puppets!
 

 

I learned a lot from watching the kids enjoy the show that day. Cardboard Explosion, is entirely produced and performed with everyday materials found around the house; so it makes puppetry and theatre accessible to anyone with a little bit of cardboard, a few glue sticks, markers and a bit of imagination. Watching the kidsfall in love with Cardboard Explosion was like nothing I’d ever seen before. To have an audience help create their own story this morning it was a story about being kind to your siblings meant that the kids were incredibly engaged and focused; they felt even more connected to the story because it was their puppets, their characters up there persevering through various trials and tribulations.

Cardboard Explosion in action that the Hubub Festival! 

Cardboard Explosion in action that the Hubub Festival!
 

I think that has been the biggest takeaway of my time here at PST. Puppetry, and theatre at large, does not inherently require you to spend hundreds on orchestra level seats, (or for the broke college student, spend hours on-line at the discount ticket booth in Times Square). With puppets (especially cardboard puppets) you can capture the wonderment of any Broadway production, and bring it home with you. That seems to me to be one of the larger goals of Cardboard Explosion as well, to inspire all ages to create their own stories, because you don't need a fancy stage or Hollywood budget to do so.

Stay tuned for updates from me as I finish up my summer here!

-Dan


 

 

Meet the Artists: Tanglewood Marionettes

Known for their beautiful hand-crafted marionettes, this touring marionette group performs at fairs and festivals all over the country. Tanglewood Marionettes comes straight from Massachusetts, tugging at your heart strings with their enthralling and adventure-filled and performance. Join us for An Arabian Adventure during our Summer Puppet Adventures series.

An Arabian Adventure
by Tanglewood Marionettes

Wed-Sat July 29th-August 1st @ 10:30 am and 1 pm
Friday Night Adventures July 31st @ 7 pm

Founded in 1993 by Peter and Anne Schaefer, Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette company whose unique productions have been seen by hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country. With seven shows currently in their repertoire, the company performs year-round at venues ranging from school assemblies to renowned
cultural institutions.

Performer Peter Schaefer was born into a Boston-area family of puppeteers and has visited Puppet Showplace since he was a child. After apprenticing with the Bennington Puppets, Peter
launched his own company, “Mountain Marionettes,” before joining with Anne Schaefer and fellow Bennington puppeteer Stephen Hancock to form Tanglewood Marionettes.

Performer Jennifer Tebo discovered her love of puppetry while pursuing a degree in Theater and Classical Studies at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She has been touring with Tanglewood Marionettes since 2004 and plans to spend a lifetime in puppetry.

The company has received two UNIMA awards, puppetry's highest honor, for their productions An Arabian Adventure and The Dragon King.

Tanglewood Marionettes believes above all that a performance is a communal experience, with connections established not only with the performers, but also between members of the audience
themselves as they laugh together, gasp together, and cheer together when the good guys prevail!

 

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own Mini-Puppet Stage!

Get ready for our upcoming show: An Arabian Adventure by making your own mini-puppet stage inspired by its scenery! Learn more about this cool pop-up craft below, and don't forget to check out An Arabian Adventure by Tanglewood Marionettes!

An Arabian Adventure
by Tanglewood Marionettes
Wednesday - Saturday, July 29 - August 1, @ 10:30 am and 1:00 pm. Friday Night Adventures July 31 @ 7:00 pm.

Make your own mini-puppet stage: recommended for ages 4 and up!

Make your own mini-puppet stage: recommended for ages 4 and up!

MATERIALS
Plain paper
Scissors
Glue stick
Pencil
Coloring utensils (optional)
Construction paper (optional)

STEPS
1. Fold plain paper in half ("hamburger style"). Use a pencil to outline two columns and  main building near the fold.

2. Using either plain or construction paper, outline two small pointed circles, and one large pointed circle.

3. Use scissors to cut on the pencil lines of the buildings and the circles. Pop out the buildings.

4. Use a glue stick to glue the circles to the tops of the buildings.

5. Optional: glue puppet stage to construction paper and color in puppet stage!

Bella's Summer Adventures: The Deep Blue Sea

Greetings, monster fans!

Bella here, and I've got a great week planned for us! Get ready to dive into a week of underwater discovery.

First on the agenda, is seeing The Great Red Ball Rescue by Faye Dupras at Puppet Showplace Theater. This is a beautiful show about a little boy who embarks on an epic ocean adventure in search of his favorite red ball. 

ABOUT THE SHOW
Red alert! A family trip to the beach goes awry when a young boy's favorite red ball gets whisked away by the tides. Can he summon the courage to get it back? Join Jasper, a timid kid with a big imagination, as he sets out on an adventure across the ocean, under the waves, and up into the clouds. Along the way, he meets fantastical fortune tellers, thieving fishermen, and many mysterious creatures of the deep. Will he ever reclaim his favorite Red Ball from the clutches of the sea? Find out in this visually stunning production featuring multiple styles of puppetry, an original score, and lots of sea-faring fun!

“The Great Red Ball Rescue” was funded in part by a 2014 Jim Henson Foundation Family Grant.

July 22 at 10:30am & 1pm
July 23 at 10:30am & 1pm
July 24 at 10:30am, 1pm & *7pm
July 25 at 10:30am & 1pm

*Join us for our NEW Friday Night Adventures performance, and meet the artist after the show!

More Ocean Adventures!!

Then, after the show I'm heading over to the New England Aquarium to learn even more about the ocean! The New England Aquarium has a huge variety of aquatic creatures from penguins to plankton. I'm so excited to see whats under the sea! 

ENTER TO WIN! And the best part about this week is that you can join me at the aquarium! We're giving away passes for you to go on your own aquatic adventures. Find out how to enter to win aquarium passes by following us on TwitterInstagram, or Facebook

Alright guys, I'm signing off-- I've got a long week ahead! 

Sea you later,

~Bella

 


Meet the Artist: Faye Dupras

Who is the one behind the makings of The Great Red Ball Rescue? None other than Faye Dupras, who has an adorable yet suspenseful sea adventure in store for you this week. 

The Great Red Ball Rescue
by Faye Dupras
Wednesday, July 22 at 10:30am & 1pm
Thursday, July 23 at 10:30am 1pm
Friday, July 24 at 10:30am, 1pm & 7pm
Saturday, July 25 at 10:30am & 1pm

Faye Dupras posing with one of her puppets.

Faye Dupras posing with one of her puppets.

Faye Dupras grew up doing art and theater but it wasn’t until she accidentally stumbled upon a puppet exhibition in rural Ontario in the mid 90’s that she decided to become a puppeteer. Luck was on her side, within the month she was apprenticing under the exhibit’s curator, Canada’s acclaimed puppeteer Noreen Young. To broaden her training Faye continued to work as a puppeteer while completing a BFA in “Theater and Development” from Concordia University in Montreal followed by an MFA in “Puppetry Arts” from the University of Connecticut. This allowed for many diverse experiences: performing around the world (France, Costa Rica, Spain, Brazil) and designing, directing, and building for numerous puppet and theater companies. Since 2004 Faye has been the artistic director of Foreign Landscapes Productions under which she has created several award-winning performances, including "By The Willow," which received an UNIMA-USA citation of excellence, the highest recognition in American puppetry. Critics have described Faye’s work as “spellbinding,” “imaginative,” and “powerful.” "The Great Red Ball Rescue" is Faye's first full-length show for young audiences.

DIY Puppet Crafts: Ocean Finger Puppets!

Get into the spirit of our upcoming show: The Great Red Ball Rescue by Faye Dupras, with these cute and easy-to-make ocean finger puppets!
 

The Great Red Ball Rescue
by Faye Dupras
Wednesday - Saturday, July 22-25 @ 10:30 am and 1:00 pm. Friday Night Adventures July 24 @ 7:00 pm

DIY: Ocean Finger Puppets!

DIY: Ocean Finger Puppets!

DIY Ocean Finger Puppets! Recommended for ages 4 and up.
 

MATERIALS
Ocean Puppet Template
Construction Paper
Scissors
Glue
Coloring Utensils

STEPS
1.  Print out Ocean Puppet Template .
2. Color in each aquatic animal using coloring utensils.
3. Use scissors to cut out each sea creature.

Ask an adult for help cutting out the sea animals if necessary.

Ask an adult for help cutting out the sea animals if necessary.

4. Glue each animal to construction paper.

5. Use scissors to cut out the animals.

6. Using another piece of construction paper, cut out three individual rectangles to be used as handles.
7. Glue the ends of the handles onto the backs of the puppets.

8. Put on your own puppet show!

Bella's Summer Adventures: New England!

Hi Friends! It's Bella, everyone's favorite furry fabulous monster friend and I'm ready to take on some more summer adventures. I've been having the best summer yet, and I'm so glad that I get to share it with you!! Two weeks ago, I went to the Planetarium to learn all about outer space, last week I traveled to the North End to learn about Italian culture, and this week, I'm heading into Historic Boston to learn about New England! 

The first thing I'm going to do this week is see Tall Tales! Stories and Songs From Old New England at Puppet Showplace Theatre

Tall Tales!  is a show put on by Chris Monti and PST's very own Brad Shur. It's a fun, silly, and exciting show that you won't want to miss!

TALL TALES! STORIES AND SONGS FROM OLD NEW ENGlAND


Have you ever wanted to sing along with a sea shanty? Or dive deep into a fox's den? Then come along on this whirlwind tour of New England's tallest tales! Along the way, you'll help the residents of Cheshire, MA make the world's largest wheel of cheese, sail the ocean with the legendary giant sailor Alfred Bulltop Stormalong, and meet a very fashionable bear by the name of Jenny Jenkins. Drawing from three hundred years of stories, songs, and local history, there is sure to be something for everyone in this fun and interactive show!

DATES AND TIMES

Wednesday July 15 @ 10:30am and 1pm
Thursday July 16th @ 10:30am and 1pm
Friday July 17th @ 10:30am, 1pm, and 7pm
Saturday July 18th @ 10:30am and 1pm

 

Then, after Tall Tales, I'm heading into downtown Boston to take a walk on the Freedom Trail with Boston By Foot. I'm going to learn all about how Boston came to be, and see lots of awesome sights in the beautiful city!

Boston By Foot offer's fun and educational tours of Boston's most historic sites. They have tours for adults, families, kids, and monster puppets like me! 

The best part is, that Puppet Showplace Theater is giving away free passes to Boston By Foot so that you guys can join in the summer fun along with me! Catch us on TwitterInstagram, or Facebook to learn more about how to win tickets.

I can't wait to see you all this week at Tall Tales and I hope to see you on the Freedom Trail too!
 

A picture of me at the Paul Revere House - One of the Stops on the Freedom Trail 

A picture of me at the Paul Revere House - One of the Stops on the Freedom Trail 

 

 

 

Lots of Monster Love,

~Bella 

Meet the Artists: Brad Shur and Chris Monti

What do you get when you combine live music with skilled puppetry? Brad Shur and Chris Monti's Tall Tales! Stories and Songs from New England. With excellent teamwork, two great artists are able to put together a fantastic and engaging show for you this week. Filled with various songs from the past and interactive fun, Brad and Chris will put on a show you will never forget! 
 

Tall Tales! Stories and Songs from New England
by Brad Shur and Chris Monti 
Wednesday July 15 - Saturday July 18
Wed - Sat 10:30am & 1pm

Friday Night Adventures: July 17 at 7pm

Brad Shur is a versatile puppeteer who has created and performed characters made of everything from pixels to papier mache. As the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace Theater he performs many different shows each year in multiple puppetry styles. He also teaches puppetry classes to students of all ages, Pre-K to adult. Prior to becoming the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace, Brad toured the country as a performer with Big Nazo (Rhode Island), Wood & Strings Theatre (Tennessee) and The PuppeTree (Vermont). As a builder, Brad has designed and fabricated puppets for American Idol, Dollywood, Avenue Q, and the U.S.S. Constitution Museum. Brad is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.

Chris Monti playing in the Juliy 2014 Puppet Showplace Slam.

Chris Monti playing in the Juliy 2014 Puppet Showplace Slam.

Chris Monti is a writer, singer, and musician based in Somerville, MA. He has released three records: Home, Locust Grove, and Swampland Flowers on CMO Records. Chris has opened for and toured with coutry-blues great Paul Geremia, and has had the pleasure of playing music with the Providence Wholebellies (led by harmonica wizard Chris Turner), with Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, and with composer Steve Jobe (playing the gigantic Bosch Hurdy-Gurdy). Monti regularly performs for children all over New England in schools, hospitals, and community settings. In addition to guitar, Monti plays harmonica, banjo, mandolin, dobro, piano, lap steel, and kazoo.


DIY Puppet Crafts: Pinocchio Puppet!

Get ready for our current show, Pinocchio, by National Marionette Theater by making your own Pinocchio puppet!

Pinocchio
by National Marionette Theatre
July 8th-11th @ 10:30 am and 1 pm, Friday July 10th @ 7pm

Make your own Pinocchio puppet, recommended for ages 6 and up!

MATERIALS
Pinocchio template
Coloring Utensils
Scissors
Hole Puncher
Brass Fasteners
String

 

STEPS

1. Print out Pinocchio template.

2.  Using coloring utensils, color in the arms, legs, and body.

3. Cut out arms, legs, and body of Pinocchio puppet.

4. Using a hole puncher, punch out holes in the black circles of the arms, legs, and body.

5. Align the holes of the arms and legs with the holes of the body and place brass fasteners through the holes, fastening the limbs to the body. (Make sure the limbs are behind the body, and the ends of the fasteners are on the back side.

6. Use the hole puncher to punch holes above each arm and leg.

7. Cut off a long piece of string and tie a knot on each arm hole from step 6. (Do the same for each leg hole).

8.Cut off another piece of string and tie it to the strings attaching the arms and legs, leaving the end of this final string hanging downward.

9. Put on your own puppet show! :)

Friday Night Adventures for the Whole Family!

NEW! FRIDAY NIGHT ADVENTURES

Have you ever wondered, "How did they do that!?" or "How did they make that?!" Now is your chance to learn the behind-the-scenes tricks of the trade from our roster of New England's top puppeteers.

This summer, the whole family is invited to enjoy outstanding puppet shows on Friday nights and meet the artists after the show! This exciting new series of performances are held on Friday nights in July at 7pm. VIEW SCHEDULE

Join us for these four exciting titles:

July 10 at 7pm: "Pinocchio" by National Marionette Theatre

July 17 at 7pm: "Tall Tales: Stories and Songs from Old New England" by Brad Shur and Chris Monti 

July 24 at 7pm: "The Great Red Ball Rescue" by Faye Dupras

July 31 at 7pm: "An Arabian Adventure" by Tanglewood Marionettes


Meet the Artists:National Marionette Theatre!

Remember the tale of Pinocchio, the puppet who wanted to become a real boy? Now here's a chance to experience the adventures of Pinocchio in a real live puppet show! Carlo Collodi's epic is a classic example of storytelling at its best. Known for their life-like marionette puppets and beautiful hand-painted scenery, National Marionette Theatre is a fan favorite at Puppet Showplace! Don't miss out on National Marionette Theatre's adaptation of Pinocchio, you'd be
lying if you said you didn't want to come!

Pinocchio 
by National Marionette Theater
Wednesday- Saturday July 8th-11th
Wed-Sat at 10:30 am and 1 pm
Friday Night Adventures: July 10th at 7:00 pm

Pinocchio meeting many new faces on his adventure!

Pinocchio meeting many new faces on his adventure!

Behind the scenes: NMT gives impromptu lesson in the lobby!

Behind the scenes: NMT gives impromptu lesson in the lobby!

National Marionette Theatre is one of the oldest continually-running marionette companies in the United States. Founded in 1967 by artistic director David A. Syrotiak, this award-winning company has been entertaining audiences around the world with their extraordinary productions for over forty years. NMT is currently run as a family business by brothers David J. Syrotiak and Peter Syrotiak. The company has been twice honored with the prestigious UNIMA award for excellence in puppetry; founder David A. Syrotiak also received the first Paul Vincent Davis Award for excellence, mentorship, and service to the field.

Bella's Summer Adventures: Italia!

Hey Guys!

I am fur-ociously exhausted from a whole week of outer space adventures. Last week I saw a show at Puppet Showplace, went to the planetarium, and ended the week by making an awesome outer space monkey puppet. It was so much fun, and I'm so ready to start this week's adventures. In case you missed it, each week I'll be seeing a puppet show and then traveling around the city finding other awesome things to do that will help me learn even more. Here come Bella's Summer Adventures!

This week I’ll be seeing Pinocchio at Puppet Showplace.  Have you ever heard the story of Pinocchio before? Pinocchio is a traditional Italian story that’s been adapted by the National Marionette Theater and brought here to Brookline. Pinocchio is an important part of Italian culture—he’s one of Italy’s most beloved characters. The coolest part is that Pinocchio is a puppet—just like me! Pinocchio is a traditional Italian story that’s been adapted by the National Marionette Theater and brought here to Brookline. Catch the show to see what happens to him. You’re going to LOVE it!

Pinocchio by National Marionette Theatre

 

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Carlo Collodi's epic about a puppet who wants to become a real boy is a classic example of storytelling at its best. National Marionette's adaptation is a faithful retelling of this childhood favorite. Follow Pinocchio as he goes on a series of adventures and discovers that only by being truthful, selfless, and kind to others will he realize his dream of becoming a real live boy.

Performed by the National Marionette Theater

DATES AND TIMES:
July 8 @10:30am and 1pm
July 9 @10:30am and 1pm
July 10 @10:30am, 1pm, and 7pm
July 11 @10:30am and 1p

BELLA'S BOSTON ADVENTURES:

Then after we see the show, my friends and I are heading over to Boston’s North End to walk around and see the hub of Italian culture in Boston! There are lots of fun things to do in the North End. We saw the Paul Revere House, ate some delizioso Gelato, and played in the fountain at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. 

It was a great day and I hope that you can share this adventure with me by also visiting the North End. Take a picture of you and your friends in the North End and tag Puppet Showplace on TwitterInstagram, or Facebook so I can see!

Stay tuned, because next week there will be even more adventures, and a very special giveaway!!

~Bella

XOXOXOXOXO (Monster Kisses, of course!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY Puppet Crafts: Monkey Puppet!

 Get ready for our upcoming show "Help Save the Monkey!” with this awesome DIY monkey glove puppet!

"Help Save the Monkey!" by Liz Hara and Marta Mozelle Macrostie
July 1-3 @ 10:30am and 1pm

Make your own monkey puppet, recommended for kids 4 and up!

MATERIALS:

Brown Paper Bags
Colored Paper
Scissors
Coloring utensils (markers, crayons, etc.)
Glue

STEPS:

1.     Using the colored paper, draw and cut out:

A big round oval for the monkey’s tummy
 Two hands
 Two ears
  Two arms
  A face and mouth
A tongue
  And a loooooong tail.

 

 

2.     Glue the mouth, tummy, face, and tongue on to the front of the paper bag.

3.     Flip the bag over and glue the tail, ears, and arms on to the back.

4.     Flip the monkey back over and glue the hands on to the front of the arms. Draw the eyes and nose on the monkey using a marker or coloring utensil.

5.     Prop your monkey upright by opening up the bag.

6.     Put on an awesome puppet show using your new monkey puppet.


     

Bella's Summer Adventures: Outer Space!

Hiya Friends!
It's your favorite, furry and fabulous, friend, Bella Monster and I’m ready for some fun in the sun! This is going to be the best summer yet, I can feel it! You must have heard about our Puppet Adventure Series —we're putting up nine fun and unique shows throughout the summer that will excite and inspire you! 

I'm also going to be going on my own adventures too! Each week I'll be seeing a puppet show and then traveling around the city finding other awesome things to do that will help me learn even more. I'll be posting all about it here on the Puppet News Blog and there will be lots of giveaways so I can share my adventures with you. You can follow us on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook to stay updated. Get ready for summer, and get ready for Bella’s Summer Adventures!

To kick off my summer of awesome, I’m starting out by going to see Help Save the Monkey! at Puppet Showplace Theater, where I'm going to learn all about outer space, and a funny little monkey who needs to be rescued.

DATES AND TIMES: 
July 1 @ 10:30am and 1pm
July 2 @ 10:30am and 1pm
July 3 @ 10:30am and 1pm

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Help Save the Monkey! at Puppet Showplace Theater July 1st-3rd

Help Save the Monkey! at Puppet Showplace Theater July 1st-3rd

8-year-old Howard and 80-year-old Lillian must rush to save a monkey who is about to land on Earth from outer space. Their unexpected friendship help them overcome obstacles and self-doubts as they travel through tunnels, fly through the air, and sneak past dangerous lasers. But will they make it in time? Find out in this sublimely silly new show featuring skillful puppetry, original music, hilarious dance breaks, and plenty of fake mustaches. 

Performed by Liz Hara and Marta Mozelle Macrostie

BELLA'S BOSTON ADVENTURES

THEN, to learn even MORE about outer space I’m going to take an adventure to outer space myself—at the Museum of Science! This summer the Museum of Science Planetarium in Boston is showing Big Bird’s Adventure: One World, One Sky where you can go on a tour of outer space with your favorite Sesame Street characters! 

And, the best part of this adventure is that you get to go on it too! Yes—that’s right! You and your family can enter to win passes to Big Bird’s Adventure too, so we can both learn about space with my furry monster puppet friends! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn about how you can enter!

Finally, to end my adventure I’m going to make my very own DIY Monkey Puppet, just like the one I saw in Help Save the Monkey! at Puppet Showplace. You can make your own too. Check out our DIY Puppet Craft Page to learn how!

Alright, I'm blasting off! See you at the show!

~Bella

p.s. Make sure to check back next week. I'm going to be seeing Pinocchio and learning all about Italian culture!


Abbreviated Box Office Hours

DARK WEEKS BOX OFFICE SCHEDULE

Due to maintenance at the theater, the Box Office will have the following hours June 15-29:

June 15-17: CLOSED

June 18-19: OPEN from 9:30am-4pm

June 20: OPEN from 6pm to 9pm

June 21: OPEN from 1pm to 4pm  

June 22-29: CLOSED

Patrons are invited to purchase tickets on-line or leave a message with the Box Office at 617-731-6400 x 101. We will work to return messages as quickly as possible

Summer Kick-off and Friday Night Adventures!

With the weather pushing 80 degrees, and temperatures forecast in the 90's later this week, we are dreaming of SUMMER PUPPET ADVENTURES! on our Mainstage. Save the date for our FREE Summer Kick-Off event on July 3rd from 11:30am to 3:00pm. Enjoy free puppet making activities and complimentary frozen treats as we launch our summer series. Performances of "Help Save the Monkey" on July 3 are at 10:30am and 1pm. (Tickets: $12/General Admission, $8/Members)

FRIDAY NIGHT ADVENTURES

This summer, the whole family is invited to enjoy outstanding puppet shows on Friday nights and meet the artists after the show! This exciting new series of performances are held on Friday nights in July at 7pm. Shows include:

July 10 at 7pm: "Pinocchio" by National Marionette Theatre

July 17 at 7pm: "Tall Tales: Stories and Songs from Old New England" by Brad Shur and Chris Monti 

July 24 at 7pm: "The Great Red Ball Rescue" by Faye Dupras

July 31 at 7pm: "An Arabian Adventure" by Tanglewood Marionettes

Puppets at Night for the Whole Family!

There is sooooo much happening at Puppet Showplace this summer! There's something for the whole family, from  summer camps, to classes,  mainstage Summer Puppet Adventures, and of course Puppets at Night!! 

Puppets at Night is Puppet Showplace Theater’s performance series for adult and teen audiences. These evening performances explore thought-provoking topics and showcase an astonishing array of puppetry styles. Performers have included acclaimed internationally-touring companies, stars of the fringe circuit, and emerging artists. 

This June you can catch Billy the Liar, by TOYBOX Theatre— an award winning show that's making its New England premiere here at Puppet Showplace! While this show is part of our Puppets at Night series, it's a show that the whole family can enjoy, as we recommend it for everyone ages 8 and up!

ABOUT THE SHOW:
What happens when you tell a lie? Find out in this absurdist comedy adventure from the zany and twisted minds of TOYBOX Theatre and Cripps Puppets. "Billy the Liar" follows the adventures of Billy and his friend Suzy, as Billy tells more and more lies and gets into deeper and deeper trouble. Two puppeteers and a musician bring this outrageous story to life with Czech-style marionettes, rod puppets, over-sized toy theatre, and found objects.

DATES AND TIMES:
Saturday June 20 @ 8pm
Sunday June 21 @ 3pm

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
TOYBOX Theatre (founded by Keith Shubert) and Cripps Puppets (founded by Madison Cripps) are known for producing innovative and irreverent contemporary puppetry. Together with musician and performance artist Valerie Meiss (www.tinywonder.org), they created the acclaimed production “Billy the Liar” in 2011. Since then, they have performed across the country at venues as diverse as the New Orleans Fringe Festival, the National Puppetry Festival, and The Detroit Institute of Arts. The production is the 2014 recipient of the prestigious UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence, and was voted “Best Performance” and “Fan Favorite” at the 2013 National Puppetry Festival. Keith and Madison are also the co-founders and hosts of the Wham Bam Puppet Slam in Asheville, North Carolina are considered a powerful force in the American puppet slam movement.

Hansel & Gretel

Happy Friday, Puppet Fans! This weekend we’re psyched to present you with Hansel and Gretel. This classic story by  the Tanglewood Marionettes uses beautiful large-scale marionettes to tell the story of a  brother and sister lost in the woods. The Tanglewood Marionettes have been in operation for over 20 years, and have been all over the country presenting their pieces to kids of all ages! Not only are they performing Hansel and Gretel, but they're also coming back this summer with Arabian Adventures, so stay tuned!

Hansel and Gretel by Tanglewood Marionettes

Hansel and Gretel by Tanglewood Marionettes

ABOUT THE SHOW:
 "Hansel and Gretel" is a riveting adventure story about a brother and sister who get lost in the woods. In this original adaptation, each sibling has a different strength, but they must learn to work together if they want to get back home. Large-scale puppets, intricate scenery, and an exciting musical score will amaze audiences of all ages and inspire kids to get creative when faced with big challenges!

 

DATES AND TIMES:
Saturday, June 6 @ 1pm and 3pm
Sunday, June 7 @ 1pm and 3pm

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Founded in 1993 by Peter and Anne Schaefer, Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette company whose unique productions have been seen by hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country. With seven shows currently in their repertoire, the company performs year-round at venues ranging from school assemblies to renowned cultural institutions. 

Performer Peter Schaefer was born into a Boston-area family of puppeteers and has visited Puppet Showplace since he was a child. After apprenticing with the Bennington Puppets, Peter launched his own company, “Mountain Marionettes,” before joining with Anne Schaefer and fellow Bennington puppeteer Stephen Hancock to form Tanglewood Marionettes.

Hansel and Gretel by Tanglewood Marionettes

Hansel and Gretel by Tanglewood Marionettes

Performer Jennifer Tebo discovered her love of puppetry while pursuing a degree in Theater and Classical Studies at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She has been touring with Tanglewood Marionettes since 2004 and plans to spend a lifetime in puppetry.
The company has received two UNIMA awards, puppetry's highest honor, for their productions An Arabian Adventure and The Dragon King.

Tanglewood Marionettes believes above all that a performance is a communal experience, with connections established not only with the performers, but also between members of the audience themselves as they laugh together, gasp together, and cheer together when the good guys prevail!