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! :)

Meet the Artist: Le Theatre de Deux Mains

Remember the story of the Ugly Duckling? The story of The Swan is one you don't want to miss out! Known for their table top puppets and live actors, Le Theatre de Deux Mains brings to you a stunningly choreographed performance that you will never forget! This week, Puppet Showplace Theater has been given the honor of hosting this esteemed group of artists directed by Louis-Philippe Paulhus, all the way from Quebec!

This performance is recommended ages 2-5.

The Swan
by Le Theatre de Deux Mains 
Wednesday - Saturday, August 5 - 8 @ 10:30 and 1:00.

Come see The Swan this week!

Louis-Philippe Paulhus is a versatile performer who has been a puppeteer since 1997.
He started as a performer for the Theâtre de L'Avant Pays from 1997 to 2009, performing in 6 different
productions for more than 50 000 spectators. In 2002, he performed in acclaimed New York puppeteer Basil Twist's production "La Symphonie Fantastique" presented as part of the "Just For Laughs" festival in Montreal. Since 2001, he has been the creator of Le Théâtre de Deux Mains, a collective that presents puppet shows by solo artists. Since then, seven different productions have been played in Teaters, Festivals, Cultural centers, and schools all over Québec province, around Canada, but also in Mexico and Spain. This summer is "The Swan's" first major U.S. Tour. The performance will be featured at the Puppeteers of America's National Puppetry Festival (Storrs, CT) and will also appear at Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater (Long Island) and Flushing Town Hall (New York City).
 

Glove Puppet Boot Camp!

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

Instructor: Brad Shur, Resident Artist

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

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

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

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

Bella's Summer Adventures: The Middle East!

Hi Friends! 

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

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

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

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Wednesday through Saturday
July 29-August 1 at 10:30am & 1pm
Friday, July 30 at 7pm

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

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

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

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

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

~Bella

Internship Adventures!

Hello Dedicated Puppet Showplace Readership!

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

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

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

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

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

Brad and one of many cardboard puppets!
 

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

Cardboard Explosion in action that the Hubub Festival!
 

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

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

-Dan

Meet the Artists: Tanglewood Marionettes

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

An Arabian Adventure
by Tanglewood Marionettes
Wed-Sat July 29th-August 1st @ 10:30 am and 1 pm
Friday Night Adventures July 31st @ 7 pm

Peter and Anne Schaefer

Peter with his wife Anne posing with their numerous hand-crafted puppets!

Peter and Jen Tebo

These two will be performing An Arabian Adventure later this week!

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bella's Summer Adventures: The Deep Blue Sea

Greetings, monster fans!

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

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

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

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

July 22 at 10:30am & 1pm
July 23 at 10:30am & 1pm
July 24 at 10:30am, 1pm & *7pm
July 25 at 10:30am & 1pm
*Join us for our NEW Friday Night Adventures performance, and meet the artist after the show!

More Ocean Adventures!!

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

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