Meet the Artist: Pumpernickel Puppets

Who's behind the adventures to Mystery Mountain and the visits to the Great Green Dragon? Meet Pumpernickel Puppets! Inspired by a puppet show from a very young age, John McDonough founded Pumpernickel Puppets with a love and passion for puppetry that is contagious to all audiences.  Straight from Worcester, Massachusetts, Jonathan McDonough brings to us this week a fun and interactive show, Sir George and the Dragon!

Sir George and the Dragon
by Pumpernickel Puppets
Saturday September 19th - Sunday September 20th
1pm and 3pm

Jonathan McDonough poses with one of his puppets!

Candid shot from Sir George and the Dragon!

The Pumpernickel Puppets are the creation of John McDonough of Worcester, Massachusetts. John was four years old when he saw his first puppet show, and he immediately knew that he wanted to be a puppeteer. By his teens, John was presenting shows all over the New England area. The Pumpernickel Puppets have had the honor of appearing at the Puppet Showplace Theatre, the Boston Children’s Museum, the Institute of Professional Puppetry Arts at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., the Cultural Olympiad at the Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, and the prestigious International Festival of Puppet Theatre sponsored by the Jim Henson Foundation at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre in New York. For each production, John creates and performs all of his own puppets, which range from small hand puppets to larger-than-life figures.

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own dragon shadow puppet!

Get into the spirit of our upcoming show: Sir George and the Dragon, by making your own dragon shadow puppet! Easy step-by-step instructions can be found below. Don't forget to check out Sir George and the Dragon this weekend, by Pumpernickel Puppets!

Sir George and the Dragon
by Pumpernickel Puppets
Saturday September 19th - Sunday September 20th
1pm and 3pm

MAKE YOUR OWN DRAGON SHADOW PUPPET: RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 3 TO 6

 

MATERIALS
Black cardstock paper
Plain white paper
Pencil
Masking Tape
Scissors
Bamboo skewers (or chopsticks)

STEPS
1. Draw out in pencil your own design of a dragon, (or anything you want to be your shadow puppet). 

2. Use scissors to cut out your drawing. 

3. With a pencil, trace your drawing onto a black piece of paper.

4. Cut out your drawing from the black paper. 

5. To create more surface area on the pointed end of the skewer, attach a piece of masking tape onto the end.

6. Now tape the skewer to the dragon. You now have your own shadow puppet!

7. Put on your own puppet show for all your friends! You can use a blank piece of paper and shine light behind it, while placing your shadow puppet in front of the light, to make your shadow puppets come to life!

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own Rat Rod Puppet!

Our show this weekend, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, features many friendly, dancing rats! Make your own dancing rat with easy step-by-step instructions below. Check out The Pied Piper of Hamelin this weekend, by CactusHead Puppets!

The Pied Piper of Hamelin
by CactusHead Puppets
Saturday September 12th - Sunday September 13th
1pm and 3pm

Can you spot the rat?

MAKE YOUR OWN RAT ROD PUPPET: RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 4 AND UP!

MATERIALS
Construction Paper
Masking Tape
Scissors
Glue
Sharpie marker
Bamboo skewer or chopstick

STEPS
1) Use a marker to design a rat body onto construction paper. If you would like, you may leave out the ear for now and design an ear on a different colored paper.

2) Draw and cut out an ear using scissors.

3) Cut out the rat body using scissors.

4) Using a gluestick, attach the ear to the body to create the rat. Set aside for now.

5. Attach a piece of masking tape to the end of the skewer or chopstick like so:

6) Now take the skewer and tape it to the rat body.

7) Give your new puppet some cheese, make it dance around, and throw your own puppet show at home! :)

Meet The Artists: CactusHead Puppets

Our 5th Annual Fall Fairy Tale Festival continues this week with a performance sure to brighten your day with colorful and silly characters! Developed in Puppet Showplace Theater's Incubator program for new works, "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" is designed and performed by the brilliant CactusHead Puppets. Founded by a husband and wife duo, this company is known for producing fun shows that bring excitement to audiences everywhere. 

The Pied Piper of Hamelin
by CactusHead Puppets
Sat September 12 - Sun September 13

John and Megan Reagan rehearse one of their productions

CactusHead Puppets are known for their playful performance style and exuberant creativity. The West Springfield-based company was founded in 2010 by husband and wife team John and Megan Regan. Since then, they have created six shows based on favorite, familiar folktales and have toured throughout Western New England. John and Megan are both graduates of the University of Connecticut's Puppet Arts program. Megan is originally from the Kansas City area, where she worked with Paul Mesner Puppets. John is from Western Massachusetts, and is honored to be performing in the same libraries where he saw puppet shows growing up. Megan collects pop-up books, and John has a love for giant monster movies. Both John and Megan were interns at Puppet Showplace Theater, and they are excited to return to Boston to share their work as professional puppeteers!

Meet the New Leadership Team!

Greetings, Puppet Showplace Friends,

Cat Meilus and Roxie Myhrum here, checking in with you after an exciting summer season. While you were enjoying the Summer Puppet Adventures shows on our stage, we were having our own behind-the-scenes adventures as the theater’s new leadership team!

Cat Meilus, Managing Director and Roxie Myhrum, Artistic Director

In July, the Puppet Showplace Board of Trustees voted to create a new Managing Director position and promoted Cat into the role from her position as the Operations Manager. They also voted to make Roxie’s position as Artistic Director full time, with increased leadership and fundraising responsibilities.

Roxie Myhrum, Artistic Director

With a combined 9 years of experience at Puppet Showplace, we are both eager to tackle these new roles. Since 2010, Roxie has overseen massive expansion in our programming, from performances by international guest artists to Puppet Playtime shows for toddlers. Cat started at Puppet Showplace as a Box Office Associate in 2012 and quickly rose through the ranks to become the Audience Services Manager and then Operations Manager. She brings extensive experience working with our 24,000+ patrons, members and donors, and has an in-depth knowledge of our behind-the-scenes operations and reporting systems.

Cat Meilus, Managing Director

Our goal is for Puppet Showplace to become one of New England’s top cultural destinations. To do this, we need to invest in artists, infrastructure, and outreach. This summer, we have made improvements to our reporting systems so we can set targets and measure the impact of our work. We are now actively recruiting new board members and committee volunteers who can invest in the theater’s future and help us grow. We are also actively pursuing partnerships that will allow us to expand sustainably while reaching new audiences.

Every day, we are motivated by our amazingly talented artists and by the joy that families experience from seeing puppetry on our stage. We hope that you will become active members of the theater, helping us generate the resources needed to invest in extraordinary programming and conduct outreach to underserved communities.

We welcome your input and participation, and we look forward to seeing you as we continue on this exciting adventure!

Contact us!
Roxie – artistic@puppetshowplace.org

Cat – business@puppetshowplace.org

P.S. Fun fact! Our puppetry partnership actually predates Puppet Showplace.  The two of us first met while working on the Lyric Stage Company’s I.R.N.E. award-winning production of Avenue Q. We also both have an extensive track record working in Boston’s regional and fringe theater scene: Roxie as a director and puppetry coach, and Cat as a Production Manager and Stage Manager.

Fall Membership Drive: Enter to Win an Abby Cadabby Fairy Package!

We love our members at Puppet Showplace! Fall is a great time to be a member- in addition to great savings on tickets to our Fall Fairy Tale Festival, you also get access to exclusive members-only events AND you will be entered to win an exclusive Fairy Gift Set donated by muppeteer, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (Abby Cadabby)

FAIRY GIFT PACKAGE INCLUDES: Abby Doll, Abby autographed picture, Abby and Elmo play bus, Abby shirt- kid, Elmo watch, Elmo bag- foldable, White House Easter Egg roll tote- kids, and a personal call from Abby!

HOW TO ENTER: Become a member or renew by Oct 12 and be entered to win a Fairy Gift Set and personalized phone call from Sesame Street's Abby Cadabby. The drawing will take place during our members-only Fairy Tale Tea Party on Monday October 12th. MORE INFO

Why Become a Member?

Members make great puppetry possible! In addition to supporting our mission to bring high-quality puppetry performances to the Greater Boston area and serve diverse audiences, members receive discounts on tickets and store purchases, fee-free phone orders, and more. Already a member? Purchase a gift membership or upgrade to a higher member level today and you will be entered to win.

Memberships are great for Grandparents too!

What Membership is right for me?

BASIC MEMBERSHIP- Do you have one child that you bring to the theater? This membership is perfect for you. You receive one complimentary ticket for a Mainstage performance ($12 value), and TWO discounted tickets per performance. This means you pay only $8 instead of $12, or $10 instead of $15 during holiday showtimes.

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP- This package is for families who attend with 3 or more people at a time. You receive two complimentary tickets for a Mainstage performance ($24 value), and FOUR discounted tickets per performance. This means you pay only $8 instead of $12, or $10 instead of $15 during holiday showtimes. Planning a birthday party? BOTH basic and family members save on birthday party bookings.

PUPPETS AT NIGHT MEMBERSHIP- Do you attend our evening performances for adults like Puppet Slams? This membership is for you! Not only do you get two complimentary tickets to any Puppets at Night performance ($30 value), but you get TWO discounted tickets per performance to all Puppets at Night Performances. This means you pay only $10 per ticket instead of $15. You also get a 15% discount on adult classes and invitations to special Incubator events to meet artists developing new work.

ENTHUSIAST- What if you like to attend both Mainstage AND Puppets at Night performances? The enthusiast membership is for you! In additional to ALL of the benefits received by members at the Family and Puppets at Night levels, you also get TWO tickets to our Annual Gala. Introduce your friends to Puppet Showplace by sharing your complimentary tickets, take an adult class, and then help us celebrate with our donors and community supporters during our annual Spring fundraising event.

Even more benefits!

Don't forget, all members at the Basic, Family or Enthusiast level also receive discounts to Puppet Playtime, our interactive show for toddlers and tiny tots on Wednesday and Saturday mornings! 

We hope that you will join the Puppet Showplace family this fall by becoming a member. Join us for the kick-off of our 2015-2016 season this Labor Day Weekend with a performance of "Cinderella" by Tanglewood Marionettes on Saturday-Monday, Sept 5-7.

Enjoy complimentary refreshments sponsored by Wegman's of Chestnuthill and FREE puppet making activities after the show. 

Join us for a Members Only event on Columbus Day, Oct 12 with Crabgrass Puppet Theater!

MEMBER ONLY EVENT COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND

Fairy Tale Tea Party with Crabgrass Puppet Theatre and Resident Artist Brad Shur.All ages are welcome!

Monday, October 12 at 2-3pm

Join us after "Jack and the Beanstalk" for a Fairy Tale-inspired tea party exclusively for puppet showplace members. Dress up in your best tea party attire, or come dressed as your favorite fairy tale character. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and see a sneak-preview of our newest puppet show in progress!

See you at the theater puppet fans! Become a member, or renew your membership today. MORE INFO

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own Cinderella Figurine!

Get into the fairy tale spirit this week by making your own Cinderella figurine! Using just a few household items, you can transform some ordinary cups into a beautiful princess, with the help of some magic of course! Don't forget to check out Cinderella this Labor Day weekend by Tanglewood Marionettes!

Cinderella
by Tanglewood Marionettes
Saturday September 5th - Sunday September 6th at 1pm and 3pm
Monday September 7th at 10:30am and 1pm

MAKE YOUR OWN CINDERELLA FIGURINE: RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 4 AND UP

MATERIALS
Construction Paper
Plain white paper
Paper Cups (assorted sizes)
Scissors
Glue stick
Coloring utensils

STEPS
1) Use scissors to cut out a section of construction paper and glue it to the larger paper cup. This will be the Cinderella body.

2) Use coloring utensils to design a dress on the cup. Be creative!

3) Place a smaller cup onto the larger cup face down. This will be the Cinderella head!

4) Use scissors to cut out plain white paper and design your Cinderella face using crayons, Sharpies, etc.

5) Use the glue stick to attach the face to the body. Impress your friends with your new Cinderella figurine!

Meet the Artists: Crabgrass Puppet Theatre

Who's behind the thrilling voyage known as The Pirate, The Princess, and The Pea? Meet Crabgrass Puppet Theatre! This award-winning touring puppet theatre was founded in 1982 by Jamie Keithline and Bonny Hall. Jamie and Bonny's exciting production: The Pirate, The Princess, and The Pea is coming to Puppet Showplace for a limited time only! Featuring colorful scenery, multiple styles of puppetry, and original pirate songs, you won't want to miss the boat on this fun adventure tale!

The Pirate, The Princess, and The Pea 
by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre
Saturday August 29 and Sunday August 30th at 10:30 and 1:00 pm

Crabgrass Puppet Theatre performing for a local school group at Puppet Showplace Theater!

Jamie Keithline and Bonny Hall formed Crabgrass Puppet Theatre in San Francisco in 1982 and have delighted audiences across the nation with their whimsical humor and puppetry ever since. Their performing venues have included the Detroit Institute of Art, the Smithsonian, Paper Mill Playhouse, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They have been awarded two Citations of Excellence from UNIMA-USA, the highest puppetry award in the United States, and in 2009, Bonny Hall was awarded a Design Commendation from the Arlyn Award Foundation. Since 2001, Jamie and Bonny have been living in Halifax,Vermont, a tiny town in the hills near Brattleboro, where they continue to create their award-winning productions.

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own Pirate Finger Puppet!

Get into the spirit of our upcoming show: The Pirate, The Princess, and The Pea by making your own pirate finger puppet! Sail the seven seas and make your friends walk the plank with this fierce looking puppet craft! Also, check out The Pirate, The Princess, and The Pea, by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre this weekend!

The Pirate, The Princess, and The Pea
by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre
Saturday August 29th-Sunday August 30th
10:30am and 1pm

MAKE YOUR OWN PIRATE FINGER PUPPET: RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 4 AND UP

MATERIALS
Construction Paper
Tape
Coloring Utensils

STEPS
1. Measure the length of your finger against the paper and use scissors to cut out a paper square the size of your finger.

2. Use tape to attach the ends of the paper together to create a cylinder shape.

3. Cut out a circle shape from the construction paper. This will be the pirate head.

4. Use tape to attach the head to the body of the finger puppet.

5. Use coloring utensils to decorate your pirate finger puppet. Put on a puppet show with all your friends and family!

Bella's Summer Adventures: The Circus

Greetings friends! This summer has flown by! I can't believe it! We only have two more weeks of Bella's Summer Adventures and I can promise you that they are going to rock.

This week I'll be attending Clown Circus at Puppet Showplace Theater which is playing for just one day! Clown Circus was created by our former Artist-In-Residence, Paul Vincent Davis, and will be performed by our current Artist-In-Residence, Brad Shur.

Me dressed up as a Clown!!

DATES AND TIMES:
Saturday 8/22  @ 10:30am & 1pm

ABOUT THE SHOW:
Clowns come in all shapes and sizes, but everything about them is larger-than-life. Join Dusty and his friends Tarta, Zany and Pierrot for this fun, interactive variety show featuring circus-inspired singing, dancing, storytelling, lion-taming, and more. Original music and brightly-colored characters will delight our youngest audience members (and their grown ups!).

Are you ready for colorful characters and silly shenanigans!? I can't wait to see the lion tamer! AND I can't wait to see YOU in the audience.  

LOT'S OF MONSTER KISSES FOR YOU ALL:  XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Love,

Bella <3

Meet the Artist: Paul Vincent Davis

"Clown Circus" is not only a great show, but its creation must also be attributed to a veteran in the art of puppetry, Paul Vincent Davis! Puppet Showplace Theater owes much of its tradition and unique performances to this great puppeteer. Having received many awards in his lifetime, Paul Vincent Davis accomplished his goals of spreading his passion and love for puppets all over the nation. This Saturday you will able able to see one of his productions, which is filled with fun, music, and excitement! Be sure to watch it for it will be a show you will never forget!

Clown Circus
Saturday Aug 22
10:30am and 1:00pm

Paul Vincent Davis is one of America's foremost glove puppeteers.

Master puppeteer Paul Vincent Davis is widely  recognized as one of America's foremost glove puppeteers. For over 30 years he served as Artist in Residence at Puppet Showplace Theater where he and founder Mary Churchill worked tirelessly to establish a home for puppetry in New England. Paul created over a dozen full-length puppetry productions and received five prestigious UNIMA Citations of Excellence for his work. Paul was also honored with the President's Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Puppeteers of America. Now retired from
performing, Davis remains active as a teacher and mentor in the New England puppetry community. Paul currently resides in Brookline Village, where he recently celebrated Puppet Showplace Theater's 40th anniversary and his own 80th birthday.

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own Clown Hand puppet!

Did you know you can create your own clown circus at home? All it takes is some paper, tape, markers, and a little imagination! But don't forget to check out our show this Saturday: Clown Circus! Get inspired by the singing, dancing, and story-telling, and then put on your own show!

Clown Circus
performed by Resident Artist Brad Shur, created by Paul Vincent Davis
Saturday August 22nd
10:30am and 1pm

MAKE YOUR OWN CLOWN HAND PUPPET: RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 3 TO 6

MATERIALS
Construction paper
Tape
Coloring utensils (Markers or Sharpies work best)

STEPS
1. Fold a piece of construction paper lengthwise into thirds, leaving about an inch between the outer fold and the edge and tape the top flap down like so:

2. Fold this piece in half.

3. Fold the two ends towards the center fold...

4. The result should be a W shape. The two ends should serve as slots for your hand.

5. Use coloring utensils to design a clown face...

6. A clown mouth...

Open wide! 

7. And body!

8. Put on your own clown circus! :)

Bella's Summer Adventures: Native American Culture!

Hiya friends! It's Bella— your favorite furry, fabulous, monster friend and I'm ready to take on ANOTHER week of summer fun! 

I'm kicking off the week with, of course, a show at Puppet Showplace Theater! This week's show is called Hiawatha and it tells the story of the Iroquois hero, Hiawatha.

DATES AND TIMES:
Wednesday 8/12 @ 10:30am and 1pm
Thursday 8/13 @ 10:30am and 1pm
Friday 8/14 @10:30am, 1pm, and 7pm
Saturday 8/15 @ 10:30am and 1pm

ABOUT THE SHOW:
his enchanting play is based on the life of the great Iroquois hero, Hiawatha. A curious young boy, Hiawatha decides to disobey his grandmother and seek a vision, alone, in the forest. There he finds a sacred cave and enters a magical world full of talking animals and fantastic spirits. He meets a wise Mohawk, The Peacemaker, who teaches him a wonderful lesson. At last, with the help of his friends Bear and Turtle, Hiawatha discovers the pathway he must follow to become a great man. This production features exquisitely crafted puppets and is accompanied by Native American flute and drum. Rod Puppets

Then, after I see the show, I'm heading back to the Boston Children's Museum to check out their Native American art exhibit! 

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 atwww.BostonChildrensMuseum.org.

We're giving away 4 free tickets to the museum this week so that you can join me at the BCM ! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook to find out how to win tickets!

See you there!

~Bella

Fall Fairy Tale Festival Kickoff Event!

Get into the fall spirit will our Fall Fairy Tale Festival Kickoff Event! Join us as we celebrate the start of our 5th annual Fall Fairy Tale Festival! Enjoy free refreshments provided by Wegmans and puppet making activities after each performance of "Cinderella" by Tanglewood Marionettes. This event also launches our Fall member drive. Become a member by October 12th and you'll be entered to win a prize. And, all members are eligible to attend our Fairy Tale Tea Party on Columbus Day, October 12th!

Cinderella
by Tanglewood Marionettes
Saturday September 5th- Monday September 7th
1pm and 3pm (10:30am and 1 pm on Labor Day Monday)

Tickets to the shows are $12 General Admission/ $8 for Members ($15/$10 on Labor Day Monday).

"Cinderella" is the classic story of a young woman whose good heart transports her from rags to royalty. This production, featuring a witty script and over a dozen lavishly costumed marionettes, is a Tanglewood Marionettes masterpiece. All of your favorite characters are here, from gentle Cinderella and the charming Prince, to the bumptious stepsisters and the magical Fairy Godmother. This telling is based on the original beloved tale, with a few unexpected surprises! A classic fairy tale told with wit and style, Tanglewood Marionettes’ production of Cinderella is sure to please audiences of all ages.

Don't forget to come and join us for our Fall Fairy Tale Kickoff Event after each Cinderella performance by Tanglewood Marionettes! Learn more about the artists below:

Peter Schaefer (right) and Jennifer Tebo (left), the performers from Tanglewood Marionettes!

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!

We hope you come join us to start off our Fall Fairy Tale Festival this Labor Day Weekend! See a show, enjoy refreshments provided by Wegmans, and make your own puppets come to life! It will be a magical weekend you won't want to miss!

Puppet Playtime is Back!

Looking for ways to engage your child in new and entertaining activities? Children of ages 0 to 3 developmentally require more interactive experiences. Introducing, Puppet Playtime: a fun and interactive program designed for very young children! While most mainstage shows at the theater are geared toward a slightly older age group, Puppet Playtime is a way for younger kids ages 0 to 3 to experience puppetry performances with all the pizzazz of mainstage shows, including live music and more! 

In each hour-long session, two friendly performers guide children (and their grownups) through free play, sing-a-longs, stories, and imagination games.

Puppet characters appear throughout to introduce the theme of the day and to join in the fun, and each session ends with a short puppetry performance.

We are very excited to introduce our new open house on Wednesday, September 9th, at 10:30am for a FREE preview of our Puppet Playtime season. Performers will take you on a tour of this popular program to see if it is a good fit for your child. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends during free play, and then enjoy a demonstration of selected songs, stories, and puppet shows. Complimentary refreshments will also be served!

Kids will also get a chance to meet and play with Bella Monster, the star of Puppet Playtime!

We hope you will come join us for our Puppet Playtime Open House on Wednesday September 9th to see if the program is a good fit for your child! R.S.V.P. here:

FALL SCHEDULE

Wednesdays at 9 and 10:30am
Sept 16, 23, 30
Oct 7, 14, 21, 28
Nov 4, 11, 18, 25
Saturday mornings at 9am 
Sept 12, 19, 26
Oct 3, 10, 17

See you soon! 

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own turtle rod puppet!

Get into spirit of our upcoming show, Hiawatha, by making your own turtle rod puppet! Also don't forget to check out our show, Hiawatha, by Catskill Puppet Theater this week!
Hiawatha
by Catskill Puppet Theater
Wednesday August 12th- Saturday August 15th
10:30 am and 1 pm

MAKE YOUR OWN TURTLE ROD PUPPET: RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 4 AND UP!

Can you spot the turtle?

MATERIALS
Paper plates
 Green Construction paper
Plain white paper
Scissors
Tape
Glue 
Stapler
Coloring utensils

STEPS
1.  Use scissors to cut out a wedge from a paper plate.

2. Glue the ends of the plate together to form a cone shape. This will be the turtle shell.

3. Use coloring utensils (markers, crayons) to decorate the turtle shell. Set aside for now.

4.  On green construction paper, outline a turtle head, two arms, two legs, and a tail.

5.  Cut out each piece using scissors.

6. Use stapler to attach each piece to the turtle shell.

7. Take another paper plate and attach it to the turtle shell with the stapler. This will be the turtle belly.

8. Use scissors to cut off any excess belly from the turtle shell.

9. Poke a hole in the center of the turtle belly with a pencil, scissors, or other sharp object. Ask an adult for help on this!

10. Roll a piece of plain white paper into a thin pole and insert it into the hole. Use tape to attach the pole to the belly. This will be the rod part of your rod puppet.

11. Make your own puppet show!

Meet The Artists: Catskill Puppet Theater

This week we have a unique show which combines traditional Native American folklore with various backgrounds in art and music. Behind the great Iroquois hero Hiawatha is the dynamic touring company better known as Catskill Puppet Theater. Each year they bring their quality performances to numerous places around the nation. Don't miss them with their one and only authentic masterpiece, Hiawatha, a tale about a great Native American hero!

Hiawatha
Aug 12-15, Wed-Sat
10:30am and 1:00pm

Hiawatha

The Great Native American hero!

Carol Mandigo and John Potocnik

The Co-founders of Catskill Puppet Theater!

Since 1979, John Potocnik and Carol Mandigo, co-founders of the Catskill Puppet Theatre, have been touring internationally, enchanting young and old with their delightful musical productions!

Combining backgrounds in art, music, drama and American folk culture they are one of the nation's finest touring companies, receiving accolades from such premiere venues as the Calgary, Winnepeg and Ottawa International Children's Festivals, The New England Puppetry and Family Theater Series, the New York State Museum's Kid's Series and hundreds more schools, libraries, fairs and festivals.

The Catskill Puppet Theater takes great pride in carrying on in the living tradition of the old traveling puppet troupes, bringing high quality children's theater to over 100,000 people each year!

Furry Monsters 101!

Interested in puppetry, but don't know where to start? Whether you are a professional artist or simply a fan of  the performing arts, this creative class about furry monsters, puppet performances, and more, is perfect for you! Furry Monsters 101 is a great way to expose yourself to a new style of puppet manipulation, gain experience in making a puppet come alive, meet new people, and of course, have fun in the process! Email info@puppetshowplace.org or call the box office at 617-731-6400 x101 with any questions!

Furry Monsters 101
by Jonathan Little, Little's Creatures
Monday August 17th- Friday August 21st
6:30pm to 8:30pm, Puppet Showplace Theater

This class will focus on the proper manipulation of mouth and rod puppets, inspired by the "furry monster" characters featured on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Avenue Q. After learning the basics of puppet animation (breathing, lip-synch, focus, and body position)...

Instructor Jonathan Little poses for the camera!

...participants will cover character interpretation, rhythm and timing, storytelling, puppet-assisting, prop handling, comedy improv, television monitor technique, and puppet/actor interactions. 

This is an ideal class for actors, comedians, die-hard Muppet fans...

...or anyone interested in learning puppetry performance skills!

Bella's Summer Adventures: Swans!

Hi friends!

Can you believe its August already? My Summer Adventure's are almost over but it's okay because these last few weeks are going to be the best yet! This week I'm seeing The Swan at Puppet Showplace Theater which I just know is going to be fabulous!

The Swan is a beautiful show that uses no words-just two hands and some really intricate and stunning puppets.

ABOUT THE SHOW:
The Swan by Le Théâtre de Deux Mains

Wednesday 8/5 @ 10:30am and 1pm
Thursday 8/6 @ 10:30am and 1pm
Friday 8/7 @ 10:30am, 1pm, and 7pm
Saturday 8/8 @ 10:30am and 1pm

Based on "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Swan" tells the story of a lost little bird looking for its parents. A fisherman comes across a single egg in a pond. Suddenly, two little feet come popping out of the egg and begin waddling toward the nearest henhouse. A chicken, chicks, ducks, and owls… none of these birds look anything like him. He wanders over to a puddle to look at his own reflection hoping for an idea about his origins. He follows the clues he finds and overcomes obstacles to meet his true family. This stunningly beautiful non-verbal show features multiple styles of puppetry, breathtaking scenery, and delightful original music. A perfect choice for our youngest audiences!

And then, after I see the show I'm heading out to the beautiful Boston Public Garden to take a ride one one of the traditional Swan Boats! Established in 1877, Boston has been giving rides to locals and tourists alike through the Public Garden in the Spring and Summer. They're one of Boston's most recognizable features and they're SUPER FUN! The Public Garden is really amazing, and hopefully I'll see you there.

I love the Boston Public Garden!

This week we are giving away free tickets to a Swan Boat ride for the entire family! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook to find out how to win tickets!

I'm ducking out.

See you soon!

~Bella

DIY Puppet Crafts: Paper Plate Swan Puppet!

Get into the spirit of our upcoming show, The Swan, by creating your own swan puppet! Using just a few materials you can help an ordinary paper plate blossom into a beautiful swan! Also, don't miss The Swan, by Le Théatre de Deux Mains this week!
The Swan
by Le Théatre de Deux Mains
Wednesday August 5th at 10:30 am and 1 pm
Thursday August 6th at 10:30 am and 1 pm
Friday August 7th at 10:30 am and 1 pm
Saturday August 8th 10:30 am and 1 pm

The Swan by Le Théatre de Deux Mains

Make Your Own Swan Puppet: Recommended for ages 2-5!

MATERIALS
Paper Plate
Scissors
Glue stick
Black and orange coloring utensils
Plain white paper

STEPS
1. Use scissors to cut out the inner half of the paper plate. Set aside cut out portion.

2. Trim edge of cut to create swan head. Cut out triangle from plain paper, color in orange and glue to the head. Use black pencil to draw an eye.

3. Make a few slits in the cut out plate portion and trim the bottom. Glue onto swan belly.

4. Fold up plain paper into a handle and use glue stick to attach the handle to the back of the paper swan. 

5. Put on your own puppet show! :)