EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
In-person and virtual master classes and workshops are offered for theatres, schools, individuals, and organizations. Topics for all experience levels are available, including (but not limited to):
Puppets 101 (What is a puppet?, puppet styles, history, etc.)
Specific building techniques and materials
In-depth discussions on specific puppet types
Q&A sessions on working in theatre or puppetry
Connor is excited to develop a program that meets your group's specific needs. Please use the form on the Contact page to discuss options, logistics, and pricing.
BEGINNER
Artist in Residence: Puppetry Master Class
Level: Beginner
Ages: K-Adult
Duration: 1-3 hours
Description: This master class/lecture explores and covers all styles of puppetry, including Hand, Glove, Tabletop, Shadow, Mask, and Costume puppetry. Participants will learn the importance and how each style of puppetry is used then be able to get hands-on practice by choosing a style of puppet and exploring its movement.
Spooky Pop-up Puppet Make & Take Workshop
Level: Beginner
Recommended for Ages: K-5th Grade
Duration: 30min - 1 hour
Description: Create jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, zombies, and monsters in a fun make & take puppet building workshop for all ages. In this workshop, participants will learn how to build a Halloween-themed inspired pop-up puppet creature from a printed pattern, decorating and assembling the rods to create a functional moving mouth.
Butterfly Rod Puppet Make & Take Workshop
Level: Beginner
Recommended for Ages: 2nd Grade-5th Grade
Duration - 30min - 1 hour
Description: Butterfly Make & Take. Participants will learn how to build and manipulate simple rod puppet butterflies.
Monkey Rod Puppet Make & Take Workshop
Level: Beginner
Recommended for Ages: 1st Grade-5th Grade
Duration: 30min-1hour
Description: Participants will learn how to build their own Monkey Rod Puppet.
Lion Mouth Puppet Make & Take Workshop
Level: Beginner
Recommended for Ages: 1st Grade-3rd Grade
Duration: 30min
Description: Participants will learn how to build their own moving mouth Lion puppet.
Animal Masks Make & Take Workshop
Level: Beginner
Recommended for Ages: PreK-3rd Grade
Duration: 30min
Description: Create a frog, toucan, elephant, or tiger mask in a fun make & take puppet mask building workshop for all ages. In this workshop, participants will learn how to build a zoo-themed animal from a printed pattern, decorating and exploring movement through mask creation.
Billy Goats Gruff Puppet Building Make & Take Workshop
Level: Beginner
Recommended for Ages: K-3rd Grade
Duration: 1 hour
Description: Paper finger puppet workshop. Kids will learn how to color, cut, glue, and manipulate simple paper finger puppets. Inspired by our "Three Billy Goats Gruff" show.
Troll Rod Puppet Make & Take Workshop
Level: Beginner
Recommended for Ages: K-3rd Grade
Duration: 30min - 1 hour
Description: Paper rod puppet workshop. Kids will learn how to color, cut, glue, punch holes, attach a rod and manipulate a simple paper rod puppet. Inspired by our "Three Billy Goats Gruff" show.
Intermediate
Simple Hand Puppet Building Workshop
Level: Intermediate
Ages: 5th Grade-Adult (sewing skills recommended)
Duration: 4hrs, 30minutes
Description: This class begins with the basics of hand puppet building. Participants will learn how to build a finished professional hand puppet - ready for the camera. Students will learn how to trace, cut, sew glue, and more.
Hand Puppet Manipulation
Level: Beginner
Age: 3rd grade-Adult
Duration: 1 hour
Description: Participants will learn the basics of hand puppet manipulation, including lip sync and eye focus. Each participant will be given a simple hand/rod puppet to use throughout the class and explore ways to bring a character to life. Participants will break into groups to practice actions, and lip-sync by singing group songs.
Tabletop Puppet Construction & Manipulation
Level: Intermediate
Ages: 3rd Grade-Adult
Duration: 2 hours, 30minutes
Description: Participants will learn how to build and manipulate a simple tabletop/bunraku-style puppet. Participants begin by learning basic tabletop construction then start to create their puppets using newspaper and tape. After their puppets are built, we will cover learn the basics of manipulation by exploring emotions and actions.
ADVANCED
Intro to Television Puppetry
Level: Intermediate
Ages: 6th Grade-Adult
Duration: 3 hours
Description: Participants will learn the basics of puppeteering for television. With the use of hand puppets, they will be taught the basics of manipulation in front of a camera, lip-syncing, eye-focus, character, and movement using improvisation and song. Participants will be broken into groups to present an original sketch on camera using the skills they learned in class.
Advanced Hand Puppet Construction
Level: Advanced
Age: 9th grade-Adult (sewing knowledge required)
Duration: 8 hours
Description: Participants will learn the valuable skills needed to build their very own puppets. They will design and make a full “muppet-style” puppet and will receive instruction on gluing, adding features, creating a mouth plate, and the basics of manipulation.
Pattern Making Workshop
Level: Advanced
Ages: 8th Grade-Adult
Duration: 1 hour
Description: In this workshop, participants will cut out and construct their own 3D puppet head shape.
