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 Twitter, Instagram, 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 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! 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.

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 Twitter, Instagram, 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 

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

The resident artist at Puppet Showplace with puppet Truth from The Magic Soup and Other Stories

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 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

Pinocchio

by National Marionette Theatre
July 10 at 7pm

Tall Tales: Stories and Songs from Old New England

by Brad Shur and Chris Monti

The Great Red Ball Rescue

by Faye Dupras
July 24 at 7pm

An Arabian Adventure

Tanglewood Marionettes
July 31 at 7pm

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!

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 Twitter, Instagram, 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 Twitter, Instagram, 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

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)

Help Save the Monkey!

by Liz Hara and Marta Mozelle Macrosti
Wed July 1 - Fri July 3 at 10:30am & 1pm

Pinocchio

by National Marionette Theatre
Wed July 8 - Sat July 11 at 10:30am & 1pm
Fri July 10 at 7pm

Tall Tales

by Brad Shur and Chris Monti
Wed July 15 - Sat July 18 at 10:30am & 1pm
Fri July 17 at 7pm

The Great Red Ball Rescue

by Faye Dupras
Wed July 22 - Sat July 25 at 10:30am & 1pm
Fri July 24 at 7pm

An Arabian Adventure

by Tanglewood Marionettes
Wed July 29 - Sat August 1 at 10:30am & 1pm
Fri July 31 at 7pm

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.

Check out the New England Premier of Billy the Liar June 20th, and 21st!

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

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

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!

A Band of Merry Heroes!

Happy June, Puppet Fans!  We have an awesome show coming up this week and next week performed by our very own Resident Artist, Brad Shur! 

Brad has been the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace Theater for the past  6 years. In addition to performing original pieces like Robin Hood at the theater, he also goes on tour, performing for schools, libraries, and other venues throughout the region!  Brad also teaches classes here at Puppet Showplace, and makes all of his puppets himself, using materials like wood, foam, fabric, paper and plastic

Robin Hood by Brad Shur

ABOUT THE SHOW:
Explore the wilds of Sherwood Forest in this rollicking retelling of the classic tale! When Robin discovers that the Sheriff of Nottingham is up to no good, he sees his chance to fight back and fulfill his dream of becoming a hero. Of course, he'll need a little help from his friends. Join Maid Marion, Little John, and a mischievious deer with excellent taste in clothes on a medieval mission to save the forest. Featuring hilarious dialogue, original music, and beautifully-crafted costumes and scenery.

DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, June 4th @ 10:30am
Friday, June 5th @ 10:30am
Thursday, June 11th @ 10:30am
Friday, June 12th @ 10:30am
Saturday, June 13th @ 1pm and 3pm
Sunday, June 14th @ 1pm and 3pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
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 regularly and teaches puppetry classes to students of all ages, Pre-K to adult. As protégé of master puppeteer Paul Vincent Davis, Shur trained extensively in glove puppetry and currently performs two of Davis’ classic shows at venues across New England. "Robin Hood" was Shur's first original glove puppet show. Shur’s other original works include "The Carrot Salesman," "Dr. Doohickey and the Monster Machine," "Tall Tales! Stories and Songs from Old New England" and "The Magic Soup and Other Stories," featured at the Puppeteers of America National Festival 2013. Prior to becoming the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace, Shur toured the country as a performer with Big Nazo (Rhode Island), Wood & Strings Theatre (Tennessee) and The PuppeTree (Vermont). As a builder Shur has designed and fabricated puppets for American Idol, Dollywood, Avenue Q, and the U.S.S. Constitution Museum. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.

We love this show and we're excited to share it with you!

Keep Your Adventures Big, and Your Heroes Tiny

Spring is flying by, and we're psyched to present  Every Hero Has A Story this weekend at Puppet Showplace Theater by Sparky's Puppets. This lively show tells the story of a series of unexpected little heroes—a mouse, a kitten, and a rabbit. These brave critters defy dragons, defeat goblins, and dare to travel into outer space! There's only 3 more shows this Spring until we start our Summer Puppet Adventures—as much as we're looking forward to summer, we'll sure miss our Tiny Heroes.

From Every Hero Has a Story 

ABOUT THE SHOW:
You never know who will save the day: it’s not always the biggest and strongest!  This show is a lively collection of tales about some surprising heroes.  Watch a tiny mouse rescue a huge lion.  Follow the adventures of a brave kitten who travels to the moon to solve some puzzling riddles. See how a clever rabbit outwits a pesky goblin.  And discover an unexpected character who proves to be “the greatest of all.” Kids will love the funny voices and very silly storytelling in this highly interactive show!

DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, May 28th @ 10:30am
Friday, May 29th @ 10:30am
Saturday, May 30th @ 1pm and 3pm
Sunday, May 31st @ 1pm and 3pm

This show was created by Sparky’s Puppets to go with this year’s summer reading theme. Sparky’s Puppets, created by Kathleen “Sparky” Davis is a New England group that’s been around for 35 years! That’s almost as long as Puppet Showplace has been around! We are so excited to welcome Sparky’s Puppets back to the theater this week.

ABOUT THE PUPPETEER:
Kathleen “Sparky” Davis began dramatizing stories with hand puppets while working as a children's librarian. Since 1980, Sparky's Puppets have delighted children and family audiences at schools, libraries and festivals throughout New England. Every summer, Sparky creates a special show for the Rhode Island statewide public libraries' summer reading program.

Sparky loves to see children's reactions to their favorite stories brought to life with endearing puppet characters. She is known for her quick wit and hilarious sense of humor. A preschool child at a recent show was heard to say. "It was so funny I burst out laughing!"

And the Award Goes to...

Puppet Showplace Theater is buzzing with excitement for our Carnival of Wonders Gala! We've all been working so hard in preparation for June 2nd —including Roxie Myhrum, our Artistic Director who is planning an amazing night for you!  

Roxie, Artistic Director since 2010, is in charge of creating our season. She selects puppet shows from across the globe to bring professional, high-quality puppeteers to our theater!  The Artists' Fund supports these performers as they travel from places like Montreal, Atlanta, and Ohio. Last season we featured the Frisch Marionette's of Cincinatti and Hobey Ford from North Carolina! This summer you can catch Hiawatha by Catskill Puppet Theatre (New York) and The Swan by Le Théâtre de Deux Mains (Quebec)!

We are honored to present this  The Creative Leadership Award to author and puppeteer, Sarah Lamstein. This annual award is given each year to a member of the community who exhibits Puppet Showplace Theater’s dedication to inspiring creativity in the community. 

Paul Vincent Davis, Puppet Showplace Theater Artist in Residence Emeritus

During the evening, we will also present the Paul Vincent Davis Award to Eric Bass and Ines Zeller, the founders of Sandglass Theater, to recognize their decades of excellence, mentorship and service to the puppetry community. Named after our former Artist in Residence, this annual award recognizes puppeteers from New England who demonstrate artistic excellence, mentorship, and service to the puppetry community! Paul Vincent Davis is one of America's most renowned glove puppeteers and he and Mary Churchill, our founder, worked tirelessly to establish a puppetry community in New England. We’re proud to honor him as the namesake and inspiration for this award. 

Letter from Roxie...

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Our 40th Anniversary Season has been a whirlwind of activity! What better way to celebrate than to gather together New England's best puppeteers in one of Brookline's most beautiful settings for a night of food, fun, and fundraising. 

Our gala is the only place you and your family can experience dozens of awe-inspiring puppetry performances in a joyous carnival atmosphere, all in a single night. Performances take place across the grounds of the George H. Wightman mansion, and are designed for audiences of all ages. Children under 10 attend for free! 

Our gala is the only place you can experience dozens of awe-inspiring performances in a joyous carnival atmosphere, all in a single night. We'll also enjoy exquisite cuisine catered by one of my favorite restaurants, The Fireplace.

I'm thrilled to announce that many distinguished leaders will also be in attendance to lend their support to our cause. Michael and Kitty Dukakis, former Governor and First Lady of Massachusetts, are Gala Chairs, along with other distinguished cultural leaders and philanthropists. View List of Gala VIPs. 

Carnival of Wonders will be emceed by Emmy Award-Winning A&E Critic Joyce Kulhawick.(JoycesChoices.com) Joyce has inspired all of us in the arts community with her incredible leadership and advocacy work, and I am thrilled she is now lending her support to our cause. 

I hope you will join us for this unforgettable evening, and that you will be inspired to give generously to make our 41st season the best it can be!

Roxie Myhrum

Sincerely,

Roxie Myhrum
Artistic Director

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Support the Mary Churchill Memorial Fund!

We are soooo excited for our Carnival of Wonders Gala event coming up on June, 2nd! There's going to be delicious food provided by The Fireplace,  puppetry performances, live music, and lots of amazing carnival fare!  Rebecca Shultzberg,  Board Trustee and Gala Committee Chair, is particularly passionate about one of our  fundraising initiatives: the Mary Churchill Memorial Fund (MCMF).

School funded by the MCMF with CactusHead Puppets, Jan 2015

Named after the founder of Puppet Showplace Theater, the MCMF raises money to bring over 1,000 students from low-income backgrounds to the theater by providing them free or subsidized tickets.  Mary Churchill was a performer, administrator, and educator who saw puppetry as a beautiful way to stimulate kids’ creativity. This memorial fund allows for all kids, regardless of their socio-economic background, to engage with the world of puppetry and live-performance art. 

Dear Friends,

The warming temperatures have my family dreaming about summer nights!  We are especially looking forward to June 2nd, when Puppet Showplace will celebrate the beginning of our 41st season. All proceeds help fund the future of our fantastic arts organization! 

Carnival of Wonders, our family-friendly fundraiser, will feature puppet stages and carnival fare spread throughout the grounds of the George H. Wightman Mansion in Brookline, MA. A silent auction, tantalizing food and special surprises guarantee a night of wonder and amazement!

One of the fundraising initiatives for this event is the Mary Churchill Memorial Fund which provides opportunities for underserved children to attend performances at the theater. An average of 1,000 students a year attend shows at Puppet Showplace by using this fund. The fund is made possible by contributions from generous patrons, members, donors and Gala attendees.

Mark your calendars and join my family in supporting this worthy fund. See you at the Gala!

Rebecca and her family.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Shultzberg
Board Trustee and Gala Committee Chair

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Bringing Sesame Street to Station Street this Memorial Day Weekend !

Happy Memorial Day! We’re hoping for lots of sunshine this weekend as we remember our nation’s heroes. Here at Puppet Showplace Theater we’re also celebrating heroes— tiny ones! This weekend, as part of our Tiny Heroes series, "The Reluctant Dragon," by All Hands Productions opens and we’re so excited! In this not-so-average fairytale, a quirky book-loving princess saves the day all by herself! We're thrilled to share David Stephens' hilarious show with you! Did you know that he performed on Sesame Street?

ABOUT THE SHOW:
Princess Penelope loves to read about dragons. Imagine her surprise when she actually meets one! When the much-touted dragon slayer Sir Reginald Thwebes arrives in the castle, King Rhubarb calls upon him to fight the fearsome beast. The Princess has to think quickly to save her friend. Will it be a fight to the death? Will it be a draw? Will they even fight at all? Find out in this hilarious performance featuring magnificent moving-mouth puppets, elaborate medieval costumes, and many very creative ways to hide a pet dragon.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, May 21st @ 10:30 am
Friday, May 22nd @ 10:30 am
Saturday, May 23rd @ 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Sunday, May 24th @ 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Monday, May 25th @ 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
David Stephens is the creator of All Hands Productions, a puppet company that, for over a decade, has been dedicated to developing and presenting quality puppet theater for audiences of all ages. David has toured his seven popular productions to theaters, schools, libraries, and festivals throughout the United States and Canada. His show, “Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff” was awarded the prestigious UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence in 2005 (the equivalent of an Oscar in the puppetry world).

David Performing on Sesame Street

 In addition to creating original works, David has also been a puppeteer for the Jim Henson Company and has been a Muppet performer on “Sesame Street.” He also performed numerous characters in the live production of Emmet Otter at the Goodspeed Opera House. David is a graduate of Troy University and the University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts program (MA 2001). Originally from Alabama, he now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition his work as a puppeteer, David is also an accomplished banjo player. For more information visit www.allhandsproductions.com andwww.davidstephensbanjo.com 
“The Reluctant Dragon” was funded in part by a 2008 Jim Henson Foundation Family Grant

Here are some photo's from David's work on Sesame Street, Emmet Otter, and SeeMore's Playhouse!  

 (www.allhandsproductions.com)