DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own Cinderella Figurine!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet the Artists: Crabgrass Puppet Theatre

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

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

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

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

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own Pirate Finger Puppet!

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

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

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

MATERIALS
Construction Paper
Tape
Coloring Utensils

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

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

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

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

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

Bella's Summer Adventures: The Circus

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

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

Me dressed up as a Clown!!

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

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

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

LOT'S OF MONSTER KISSES FOR YOU ALL:  XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Love,

Bella <3

Meet the Artist: Paul Vincent Davis

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

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

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

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

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own Clown Hand puppet!

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

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

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

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

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

2. Fold this piece in half.

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

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

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

6. A clown mouth...

Open wide! 

7. And body!

8. Put on your own clown circus! :)

Bella's Summer Adventures: Native American Culture!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See you there!

~Bella

Fall Fairy Tale Festival Kickoff Event!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Puppet Playtime is Back!

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

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

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

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

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

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

FALL SCHEDULE

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

See you soon! 

DIY Puppet Crafts: Make your own turtle rod puppet!

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

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

Can you spot the turtle?

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

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

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

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

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

5.  Cut out each piece using scissors.

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

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

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

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

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

11. Make your own puppet show!

Meet The Artists: Catskill Puppet Theater

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

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

Hiawatha

The Great Native American hero!

Carol Mandigo and John Potocnik

The Co-founders of Catskill Puppet Theater!

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

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

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

Furry Monsters 101!

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

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

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

Instructor Jonathan Little poses for the camera!

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

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

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

Bella's Summer Adventures: Swans!

Hi friends!

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

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

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

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

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

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

I love the Boston Public Garden!

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

I'm ducking out.

See you soon!

~Bella

DIY Puppet Crafts: Paper Plate Swan Puppet!

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

The Swan by Le Théatre de Deux Mains

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Put on your own puppet show! :)

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!