Puppet Film Night: Handmade Puppet Dreams, Volume II Coming to PST!


Puppets are not just for the stage! Sesame street,
the Muppet Show, Labyrinth... there are so many amazing example of puppets who have leaped off the stage and entered a career in film. Come to Puppet Showplace this weekend and check out some amazing puppet cinematography in Handmade Puppet reams, Volume II this Saturday, Oct 15th.
This unique collection features not one, but ten puppet films in one night! Come see why this series, put together by Heather Henson (daughter of Muppet creator Jim Henson), has been loved by audiences across the country. These movies range from silly to beautiful, poignant to absurd. Together, they showcase the "next generation" of puppeteers who embrace film as their medium.
The show starts at 8:00pm and popcorn is included in the price of admission ( Who doesn't like FREE FOOD!). There will also be a special appearance by alumni of the "Furry Monsters 101" class.

So to recap...Saturday October 15th, 8:00pm, 10 Puppet films, A Furry Monster performance, and free popcorn!!! You really can't afford to miss this event so you better reserve your tickets today! Just remember this show is for older puppet enthusiasts and is recommended for ages 16 and up. Check out this preview...

Want to learn more about this film ( including a list and decription of the short films included in this volume of puppets dreams) and other Handmade Puppet Dream productions? Check out this link to their WEBSITE

Fairy Circus by Tanglewood Marionettes



Coming This Week!

Wed & Thurs |Oct 12 & 13|10:30am

Sat & Sun |Oct 15 & 16| 1:00am & 3:00pm

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About this show:

You’re invited to an enchanted garden with surprises around every corner! The Fairy Circus features classic trick puppets and beautifully handcrafted marionettes. The puppets will dance, play instruments, juggle, contort, transform, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease, all to the music of favorite composers!

Recommended for ages 4 and up.


About the performers:

Founded in 1993 by Anne Ware and Peter Schaefer, Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette theater based in New England. Our repertoire consists primarily of classic tales performed by skilled puppeteers who have spent many years perfecting their art.

more info

PuppetPalooza!!!



PuppetPalooza!!!! need I say more...ok, maybe I do....Wenham Museum is hosting an exhibit entitled PuppetPalooza from October 7th thru January 16th. The description on the website states:

"Explore the wild and wonderful world of puppets—from tiny finger puppets to huge street puppets—in this playful and highly interactive exhibit. Become a puppeteer—make a dragon street puppet slither through the gallery, cast a puppet's shadow across a screen, pull the strings of a marionette, or put on a show with hand puppets." READ MORE


Sounds pretty amazing! To top it all off, the exhibit features puppets created by PST's Artist in Residence Emeritus, Paul Vincent Davis as well as puppets of Mary Churchill, the founder of Puppet Showplace. Want more PUPPETY FUN? This Sunday, October 16th, you can attend a PuppetPalooza Exhibition Party free with admission Now how cool is that!



New Pictures of Honk Fest on Facebook!


Hey Everybody. Last weekend we were out and about at Honk Fest with our good friend Goldie the extra large goldfish made this summer in the Think Big! Giant Puppet Construction class. Luckily for us there was no rain to melt our paper mach fish and everyone seemed to love her. Thanks so much to all our volunteers who showed up to help out! You can check our pictures of the event on our facebook page

Father Goose's Tales by Nappy's Puppets

This Weekend!
"Father Goose's Tales" by Nappy's Puppets
Sat & Sun|Oct 8 & 9|1:00pm & 3pm
Mon |Oct 10|10:30am&1:00pm

About this Show:
Trouble in the nursery....Mother Goose has taken the day off and Father Goose must do all her chores, including the storytelling! Try as he might, Father Goose just can't get the stories right....Father Goose's Tales is a modern retelling of nursery rhymes, stories and children's songs that will entertain the whole family!

About the performer:
Nappy’s puppets offers a variety of educational and entertainment possibilities: private parties, school assemblies, workshops, fund raisers and professional development days. offers a variety of educational and entertainment possibilities: private parties, school assemblies, workshops, fund raisers and professional development days.Nappy's Puppets is dedicated to presenting quality puppet theater to audiences of all ages. The goal of each performance is to entertain, inspire and educate the audience on the range and scope of puppetry as an art form.

Little Red Riding Hood by Wonderspark Puppets

COMING SOON!
"Little Red Riding Hood" by Wonderspark Puppets
Wed & Thurs | October 5 & 6 | 10:30am


Our Fall Fairy Tale Festival continues with a spirited rendition of "Little Red Riding Hood" by Wonderspark Puppets next Wednesday and Thursday.

About this show: Little Red is sent into the big woods to deliver a basket of goodies to her sick Grandmother, but is hounded by a hungry wolf who wants the basket for himself.

Will Little Red be able to outsmart the wolf and save her Grandmother?

About the performers: Founded by husband and wife team Chad Williams and Lindsey "Z" Briggs, WonderSpark Puppets infuse fun and whimsy into all their performances. Z has worked as a professional puppeteer for the last 7 years as a performer and builder on numerous projects, while Chad is a filmmaker turned puppeteer, having shot and edited two puppetry documentaries. Located in New York City, WonderSpark is happy to perform puppet shows for kids and adults alike in all sorts of venues. more info

The Three Wishes by Spring Valley Puppet Theater

THIS WEEK AT PST
"The Three Wishes" & "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" by Spring Valley Puppet Theater
Thurs | September 29 | 10:30am
Sat & Sun | October 1 & 2 | 1pm & 3pm

Our Fall Fairy Tale Festival continues this week with TWO classic stories! Spring Valley Puppet Theater returns to perform "The Three Wishes" and "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" this Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

About this show: What would you do if a magical Elf gave YOU three wishes? That’s just what happens to Henry and Gretchen in this puppet production of “The Three Wishes.” This folktale favorite is flavored with a dash of dialogue, a generous helping of humor and the plot twists for which Spring Valley Puppet Theater is known.

In the second story, a hungry Wolf tries to outwit the savvy Shepherd and make a meal of the helpless, little Lamb. Helpless? Maybe not! Adapted from the Aesop Fable, "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" is enlivened with a colorful Mexican setting, a humorous communication gap and a surprise ending!

About the performer: Michael Graham has been performing professionally since 1977, the year Spring Valley Puppet Theater was established. Every puppet he uses in his performances is hand crafted. Additionally, he designs and builds his own sets, writes the scripts, and creates the voice and music tapes. Michael's production of “Jack and the Beanstalk” was awarded the 1994 UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry by the American Center of the Union Internationale de la Marionette.

A highly sought-after instructor, he has taught at the University of Connecticut Puppet Arts program, the Institute of Professional Puppetry Arts (IPPA) at the O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, Connecticut and has presented casting and hand puppet construction workshops for puppetry guilds in Connecticut and Massachusetts. more info
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PST in the Community

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Hi everyone! We hope you have been enjoying the FALL FAIRYTALE FESTIVAL at PST. We have seen some amazing artistry on our stage, and now we're inspired to bring puppets into the streets.

On October 2nd, Puppet Showplace Theatre will be part of the sixth annual HONK! Parade. We will march with "Goldie," our new and celebrated giant goldfish puppet, down Mass Ave from Davis to Harvard Square. Interested in marching with us? E-mail artistic@puppetshowplace.org by September 29th for details!

We at PST love events like this that give us an excuse to go into the community and work with other organizations to make people smile. Part of PST's mission is to work in collaboration with area businesses, schools, and cultural organizations to improve people's lives. We do this through our touring workshops and school residencies, our appearances at cultural festivals and events, and our collaborations with institutions ranging from hospitals to teen centers to foreign consulates. Our Mary Churchill Fund, named for our founder, helps us bring children from under-served communities to see high-quality, educational performances.

Recently, PST partnered with the Brookline Recreation Department to offer an after-school puppetry enrichment program at our theatre. We hope to expand this into a full summer camp next year.

How would YOU like to see PST get involved in the community? Your ideas - and assistance! - are welcome as we strive to make this vision a reality!

P.S. In case you haven't met her, Goldie was designed and built in just one week last July by members of PST's "Think Big" all-ages giant puppet class, taught by Artist in Residence Brad Shur. In less than a month, Brad will begin teaching an awesome class for adults and teens called Puppet Building 101.

Mystery of Queen Lake by Theatre of Life

THIS WEEK AT PST
"Mystery of Queen Lake" by Theatre of Life
Thurs | September 22 | 10:30am
Sat & Sun | September 24 & 25 | 1pm & 3pm


Our Fairy Tale Festival continues with Sammy the Snail in "Mystery of Queen Lake" by Theatre of Life this Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

About this show: Audience involvement and a musical extravaganza highlight this magical Medieval tale. A visually impaired princess is our heroine who along with Sammy Snail encounter hilarious situations and enchanting puppets including a giant fish! An absolute delight for the youngest to the oldest audience member!

Recommended for ages 3 & up.

About the performer: Lesley Smith is a renowned ventriloquist, puppeteer and singer/songwriter employing the vehicles of humor, dynamic vocals and puppetry to entertain corporations, festivals, school children and their families across the country. As a New England Foundation for the Arts touring artist, the Theatre of Life Puppets has become a premier educational entertainment troupe. More info.

Adult Classes This Fall!

ADULT PUPPETRY CLASSES AT PST

Classes for adults at PST are the perfect way to take your love of puppetry to the next level. Whether you are an aspiring puppeteer, avid puppet fan, or seasoned performer seeking to learn a new style of puppetry, reserve your spot today!

Furry Monsters 101 starts THIS THURSDAY! There are still a couple of spots available!


Furry Monsters 101Four Thursday Evenings
September 22 - October 13, 7PM - 9PM
Ages 16 and up-$150
Taught by Jonathan Little, PST Slam Emcee

About the class: This class will focus on the proper manipulation of Muppet-style hand and rod puppets regularly featured on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Avenue Q. Professional puppeteers know how to make these characters appear as living, breathing beings with their own thoughts, desires, and motivations. After learning the basics of proper body position, breathing, lip-synch, and focus, your hand will start to have a mind of its own.

Students will produce an original sketch of their own from beginning to end which will be showcased on Saturday 10/15 @ 8:00 pm. In-class practice puppets and camera equipment will be provided by the instructor. This is an ideal class for actors, comedians, die-hard Muppet fans, dancers, animators, or anyone interested in learning puppetry. Class size is limited: enroll today!


Puppet Building 101
Monday evenings 6:30 to 8:30 pm
8 sessions October 17th - December 12th (No class on Halloween, Oct 31)
Cost: $200 + $25 materials fee (includes take-home sculpting materials!)Register Online!PST Members save 10%!
Instructor: Brad Shur

Register Online

About this class: Puppets are moving sculptures carefully crafted to be brought to life. Engineering plays a crucial role in shaping a puppet's character and movement abilities. In "Puppet Building 101" participants will each create an original sculpted hand puppet from scratch. To begin, class members will learn how to turn their ideas into drawn designs, ready to be produced. From there, participants will learn how to sculpt plasticine, apply paper mache, pattern and sew fabric, and apply other materials to turn their designs into fully functional, performance-ready works of art!

Note: While hand puppets are the primary example that will be used in class, the methods and materials presented in "Puppet Building 101" can be applied to many different styles of puppet construction.


Weekday Shows Begin this Week!

LAND OF ENCHANTMENT by Sparky's Puppets
Thursday, September 15th at 10:30am
Saturday & Sunday, September 17th & 18th at 1pm & 3pm


About this show: You never know who might pop up...a goblin, a wise woman, an elf or a leprechaun! A rollicking assortment of enchanted objects, secret powers, and hilarious adventures...all from the magical world of children's books.

Recommended for ages 3 & up.

About this performer: Sparky’s Puppets have been delighting children throughout New England for over 20 years. Sparky Davis, the puppeteer, has degress in English, education, and library science. She began dramatizing children’s literature while working as a school librarian, and now performs these tales in schools, libraries, and festivals.

Performances by Sparky Davis are perennial favorites at Puppet Showplace Theatre. Her gentle approach, lively sense of humor, unique interpretations of familiar tales, and imaginative original characters make for a wonderful show!



Puppet Showplace Slam: Puppets for Adults!

THIS SEPT AT PST
Puppet Showplace Slam!
Saturday, Sept 17th at 8pm
$13/Students & Members
$15/General Admission


PST has shows for teens and adults? That's right, puppet fans. Every other month we stay open late on Saturday night to bring you a raucous evening of PG-13 puppet entertainment. We call it a "slam" because it's your only chance to get smashed in the eyeballs by every style of puppetry you can imagine.

About this slam: This month, the Puppet Showplace Slam will feature performers from across the country and includes a juggling lobster, the award-winning "Show of Hands," and the debut performance of "WAR SHEEP." Never been to a slam before? Check out real-life footage from our last Slam, documented by Boston University Students in the short film, "A Guide to Doll Wiggling."

A Guide to Doll Wiggling

2011 - 2012 Puppet Showplace Slam Schedule:

Saturday September 17, 2011
8:00 pm at Puppet Showplace Theatre
FEATURING Circus lobsters, "War Sheep," Gepetta, and more!
Order Tickets Now!

Saturday November 19, 2011
8:00 pm at Puppet Showplace Theatre

Saturday January 21, 2012
8:00 pm at Puppet Showplace Theatre

Saturday March 17, 2012
8:00 pm at Puppet Showplace Theatre

Saturday May 19, 2012
8:00 pm at Puppet Showplace Theatre

Saturday July 21, 2012
8:00 pm at Puppet Showplace Theatre

Rumplestiltskin by Dream Tale Puppets

THIS WEEK AT PST
"Rumplestiltskin" by Dream Tale Puppets
Saturday & Sunday | September 10 & 11 | 1pm & 3pm


The Fall Fairytale Festival continues this weekend at PST with a magical performance of this exciting tale, re-told with colorful and delightfully humorous table-top puppets.

About this show: When a miller brags that his daughter can spin straw into gold, the King commands the girl to spin for him and help him pay the royal pile of bills. With no idea how to make this impossible task happen, the girl finds help from a funny looking Little Man ­— who only makes things worse!

Recommended for ages 4 & up.

About the performer: Dream Tale Puppets is a continuation of the Story and Puppet Time project which began at the Cape Cod Children’s Museum in April 2003.

Jacek Zuzanski has a Master of Art degree from The State Puppetry Institute in Wrocław, Poland, and The Ministry for Art and Culture’s Stage Directing Certificate. Jacek currently teaches acting and puppetry at the Cape Cod Conservatory and at the Falmouth Academy.

Norina Reif leads Toddler Story time at Falmouth Library and she is also a playgroup coordinator specializing in early childhood development. She also performs with Falmouth Theatre Guild and Cotuit Center for the Arts.

Fall NEW Membership Drive!

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AT PST
September * October * November

Beginning at our Season Kick Off Event this Labor Day weekend, everyone who becomes a NEW Puppet Showplace Theatre member at at least the Family Level (minimum donation of $100) will be entered for the chance to win a $25 gift card to Legal Seafoods!

Already a member? Don't worry! There is still a chance to win! Refer a friend to become a NEW member, and you will be entered to win too! There will be three drawings at the final day of each fall month. Five winners will be chosen each month, for a total of 15 winners!

There are many benefits to becoming a member of Puppet Showplace, but none so important as supporting the work that we do. Be part of the excitement... become a member today by calling the box office, 617-731-6400, ordering on-line, or best of all, by coming to the theatre to see a show!

As a non-profit theatre, the Puppet Showplace is only able to keep our doors open by the generous donations of our community partners like Chobee Hoy Associates, Legal Seafoods, and people like you! See you at the theatre!

Check out the show calendar for our Fall Fairytale Festival programming!
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2011-2012 Season Kick Off at Puppet Showplace!

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September * October * November

Puppet Showplace Theatre is proud to announce our first annual Fall Fairytale Festival! It's our celebration of the "once upon a time" tales and the "long ago and far away" places that people have cherished for generations. Each week from September to November features a different fairytale (or two) ranging from the beloved classics to modern adaptations. View the full schedule online.

Fall Fairytale Kick Off Event, Labor Day Weekend!
September 3rd & 4th, 1pm & 3pm

Featuring: Pinocchio by National Marionette Theatre

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Join us on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend for a special season kickoff event! We will feature a return performance of the spectacular Pinocchio by National Marionette Theatre--completely sold out in July!--and we'll have activities, refreshments, and a new puppet exhibit on display.


Thank you for an amazing summer season! It was a memorable one with with exciting premieres by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre and National Marionette Theatre, as well as returning favorites including Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers and Pumpernickel Puppets.

Special Note: Puppet Showplace Theatre will be CLOSED Sunday, August 29th through Friday, September 2nd to prepare for the upcoming 2011-2012 Season. Order your tickets for Pinocchio online!

Sir George and the Dragon by Pumpernickel Puppets

THIS WEEK AT PST
"Sir George and the Dragon" by Pumpernickel Puppets

TWO PERFORMANCES EACH DAY!
Wed, Thurs & Sat | August 24, 25 & 27 | 1pm & 3pm


The last week of summer programming at Puppet Showplace Theatre!

About this show: Join an adventurous princess as she journeys to Mystery Mountain to visit the Great Green Dragon. Along the way you’ll meet Zelda the babysitter, a silly bat, Sir George and his clumsy dog, and of course the lovable dragon. Will Sir George slay the dragon? Not to worry, everything ends happily in this fun show. Hand puppets. Recommended for ages 3 & up.

About the performer: For over thirty five years the Pumpernickel Puppets have captivated audiences of all ages. John McDonough and his puppets present over two hundred fifty shows a year at schools, libraries and private parties throughout the New England area. The Pumpernickel Puppets have had the honor of appearing at The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, The Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta, GA and the prestigious International Festival of Puppetry sponsored by the Jim Henson Foundation in New York.

See you at the theatre!

PST World Report: Roxie at the International Puppet Festival, Jerusalem!


Dear PST Fans,

Greetings from Jerusalem! I am writing from the Train Theatre’s International Puppet Festival in the heart of Jerusalem. For 6 days straight I have been watching 7 or more puppet shows a day made by artists from all over the world. Many of the shows are without words which helps us international guests understand. Even when the shows are entirely in Hebrew, the puppeteers are such strong performers that the meaning of the stories still comes through. (Still, little by little, I am picking up words in Hebrew as I listen...)



The festival is located in both indoor and outdoor theatre venues across the Mishkenot neighborhood, just a short walk from the Old City where many holy sites (Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher) are located. I am here as a guest of the Culture department of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Along with other directors of International Puppet Festivals, we are here to see some of the most exciting puppet theatre that Israel has to offer.



According to the festival's Artistic Director, the "hero" of this year's festival is paper, so many of the shows use this as their primary design element. Several shows, including "Rain Bird" (depicted below) use origami or other paper folding traditions to tell their stories. Shadow and object theatre are also prominent.



I took one morning off from the festival to visit the Holon Puppet Center, located in the city of Holon near Tel Aviv. Here, I saw an amazing museum display of Israeli puppets and others from collections gathered from all over the world. Students at this school can specialize in different areas of puppetry, including building and performance, community art, education, and therapy. The theatre and classroom facilities were impressive, and I saw a group of campers thoroughly enjoying themselves in workshops, performances, and museum tours. I hope more American puppeteers have the chance to study abroad here!



Last night I left the Mishkenot neighborhood and traveled to the Mehane Yehuda market area. There, we went on a walking tour to see different performance installations, including one that took place in a synagogue. It was a wonderful way to see the city, and to appreciate the artistic and storytelling traditions that many of these puppeteers draw on for inspiration for their show.


Please stop by PST for more stories about the trip. Until then, Shalom!
Roxie

Dr. Doohickey's Monster Machine by Brad Shur



THIS WEEK AT PST
"Dr. Doohickey's Monster Machine" by Brad Shur

TWO PERFORMANCES EACH DAY!
Wed & Thurs | Aug 17 & 18 | 10:30am & 1pm


About this show: In this original story, Dr. Doohickey thinks that the world would be much more exciting if people were a little more like monsters, don’t you? Join the doctor and his assistant Reginald the Rabbit as they use music, machines and a little magic to bring funny monsters to life. Hand, rod and shadow puppets.

Recommended for ages 4 & up.

About the performer: Brad Shur, artist in residence at PST, has been professionally involved in puppetry for nearly 10 years. As a fan of all types of puppetry, Brad has built and performed with rod puppets, hand puppets, shadow puppets, larger-than-life costume puppets, Japanese bunraku puppets and marionettes. His shows are high energy blends where at least a few of these styles come together with storytelling, original scripts, and lots of audience participation.

Brad is also an experienced teacher and offers workshops and classes for all ages on site at PST or private bookings in addition to extended residencies. This programming includes shadow, hand, and rod puppets, or custom workshops. Click here for more info!

Brad Shur with workshop participant Tim Sullivan on August 6th, 2011 at the Summer Saturday Family Workshop: Junk Puppets! Participants learned how to turn recycled materials into puppets. Thank you to the Brookline Tab for hanging out with us for the day! Check out the photo gallery!

PUPPET INVASION NOW RECRUITING!


PST's guerilla marketing team, PUPPET INVASION is now recruiting new members!

Help us spread the word about all of the awesomeness that happens at the Puppet Showplace Theatre! Volunteer to hand out marketing materials, drop off calendars and fliers at your local schools or libraries, or help us carry around a giant puppet at an our door event!

Through out the summer, libraries, toy stores and school fairs have been invaded by silly creatures and storybook characters brought to life by Puppet Showplace Theatre staff and summer interns. In July, customers at Henry Bear's Park in Brookline, Cambridge and Arlington learned about different kinds of puppetry. Just this week, the Brookline Public Library was invaded by two PST interns with a giant humming bird!

Want to be part of the Puppet Invasion Team? Contact Brenda Huggins, Community Engagement Coordinator at info@puppetshowplace.org, or 617-731-6400 x 201 to find out how!


Upcoming Puppet Invasion Events:

Boston GreenFest, 2011
Friday, August 19th at Noon to 5pm
Boston City Plaza
Junk Puppets Exhibit!
As part of our Summer Saturday Family Workshop Series at PST, youth, families and adults created puppets from recycled materials on August 6th. Examples of completed masterpieces will be on display at the Boston GreenFest with photos documenting their creative process! More info.




West End Children's Festival
Saturday, August 20th at 12:00pm to 4pm
Boston's Thoreau Path in Charles River Park
Since 2006, the West End Community Center has presented the West End Children's Festival as a way for families in the neighborhood to experience all of the cultural and educational opportunities Boston has to offer. Stop by the Puppet Showplace Theatre's table to learn about all of the exciting programming that PST has for youth, families and adults! And the best part? Make your very own mouth puppet to take home! More info!




 
 

Our Mission

Puppet Showplace Theater is dedicated to presenting outstanding puppetry to diverse audiences through performances, workshops, and community outreach activities.

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Puppet Showplace Theater is supported by...

 

Puppet Showplace Theater is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts through the New England Arts Resilience Fund, part of the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund, an initiative of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations and the Mellon Foundation, with major funding from the federal CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan from the National Endowment for the Arts.