Sea Beast Puppet Company
WORKSHOPS
We offer a selection of puppetry classes for a wide variety of age groups in the areas of:
Shadow Puppetry - Table Top Puppetry - Hand Puppetry - Glove Puppetry - Storytelling - Creative Writing
and Object Puppetry
Shadow puppets are made by projecting a shadow on a screen which is backlit by some type of light source.
It's A Snap!
Beginning Shadow Puppetry
Level: Beginner
Ages: K-5th grade
Duration: 45 min-1 hour
In this workshop participants will cut out and construct their own shadow puppet from a printed pattern using plastic snaps and rods attached to moving parts.
Page to stage
Shadow Puppet Building
Level: Beginner
Ages: 1st-8th grade
Duration:1 hour-1 ½ hours
Participants will choose a puppet to construct and assemble from several printed patterns and have the opportunity to experiment and perform a short skit with their new shadow puppet.
project yourself
Overhead Projector Shadow Puppet Building
Level: Beginner
Ages: 1st grade-Adult
Duration: 3 hours
Participants will be learning how to use overhead projectors to create shadow puppetry by building specialized slides and experimenting with different materials and shadow techniques. They will also have the opportunity to perform short skits at the end of class
pop! bang! boom!
Shadow Puppet Building
Level: Intermediate
Ages: 5th-8th grade
Duration: 3 hours
Workshop participants will design and construct their own shadow puppet and be taught the basics of building movement into their puppets including triggers, hinges and specialized rods
Turn out that light!
Advanced Shadow Puppetry
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Ages: 9th grade-Adult
Duration: 8 hours (one session or two)
This workshop is designed to teach participants everything they need to know about designing, building, lighting and performing shadow puppets in order for them to create their own pieces at home. Participants will design and construct a puppet with optional moving parts and will have an opportunity to experiment with different forms of lighting as well as perform a skit at the end of class
turn out that light! (abridged)
Advanced Shadow Puppetry.
Level: Advanced
Age Range: 12th grade-Adult
Duration: 1 hour-1 ¼ hours
Participants will be given a lecture on various styles of lighting including natural, fluorescent and incandescent and then have the opportunity to experiment with these different sources. Participants will also be given instructions on how to construct their own small shadow screen at home
CREATIVITY
These foundation workshops cover how to create a great story and how to find creative ways to dive into puppetry.
Once Upon Imagination: Original Storytelling
I wonder...A Class in Creative Writing
Level: Beginner/intermediate
Ages: 6th grade - adult
Duration: 3 hours
In this workshop participants will learn ways to hone and develop their storytelling skills using a variety of games, tips, tricks and techniques. They will also have a chance to pick a well-known tale and make their very own short performance at the end of class.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Ages: 4th grade - adult
Duration: 1 ½ hours
This workshop uses a variety of games and techniques designed to get the creative juices flowing and get participants well on their way to writing their own original puppet script.
Look what i found! found object puppet building
Level: Beginner
Ages: K-5th grade
Duration: 1 ½ hours
This class teaches participants how to find the extraordinary in every day life. They will get the opportunity to create their own puppet from unusual objects and bring out their puppet’s unique personality.
GLOVE PUPPETS
Glove puppetry is most easily identified as the form used in traditional Punch and Judy performances and is a type of hand puppetry. The inside of the puppet looks like a glove which is where the name comes from.
TAKING OFf THE GLOVES: GLOVE PUPPET CONSTRUCTION
Level: Intermediate
Ages: 4th grade-Adult (sewing skills recommended)
Duration: 3 hours
Participants will design and construct a simple glove puppet and have the opportunity to explore manipulation through movement and character.
GIVE 'EM A WAVE: GLOVE PUPPET MANIPULATION
Level: Beginner
Ages: 3rd grade-Adult
Duration: 1 hour
This workshop teaches the basics of glove puppetry including manipulation and eye focus using a variety of fun prompts and techniques.
MOUTH PUPPETRY
Mouth puppets are another form of hand puppetry and are most commonly seen on Sesame Street and the Muppet Show. These fun and friendly puppets are the grown up cousins of the sock puppet.
SOCK IT TO 'EM! SOCK PUPPET BASICS
Level: Beginner
Ages: 1st-5th grades
Duration: 3 hours
Workshop participants will design and build their own sock puppet creation and then practice lip-synching, eye focus, character and movement.
REARRANGING THE SOCK DRAWER: SOCK PUPPET CONSTRUCTION
Level: Beginner
Ages: 1st-5th grade
Duration: 1½ hours
Participants will get to design and build their own sock puppet and then have a chance to experiment with movement and character.
How Did They Do That? Mouth Puppet or Muppet-Style Performance 101
Level: Beginner
Ages: 6th grade-Adult (sewing skills recommended)
Duration: 45 minutes-1 hour
In this fun class participants will be taught the basics of hand puppetry, or “Muppet-style” puppetry. Using basic puppets to learn proper lip-synching techniques as well as eye focus, this class utilizes music and games to hone these important skills.
Hit Your Mark: Intro to Television Puppetry
Level: Intermediate
Ages: 6th grade-Adult
Duration: 3 hours
Participants will learn the basics of puppeteering for television. With the use of simple puppets they will be taught the basics of manipulation in front of the camera, lip-synching and eye focus using songs and fairy tales. Participants will also be given feedback on how to work with a monitor.
I’m Ready for My Close-Up:
Television Puppetry
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Ages: 6th grade-adult
Duration: 8-16 hours
This class begins with the basics of puppet manipulation for the camera including lip-synching, eye focus, character and movement just using a basic puppet. Later, the class advances to working with actual foam and fleece character puppets to refine skills and create original skits.
Time to Get Things Started...
Muppet-Style Hand Puppet Construction
Level: Advanced
Age: 9th grade-Adult (sewing knowledge required)
Duration: 8 hours, spread out over several sessions
Participants will learn valuable skills needed to build their very own puppets. They will design and build a full “muppet-style” puppet and will receive instruction on gluing, adding features, building a mouth plate and the basics of manipulation.
TABLETOP PUPPETS
Table Top Puppetry is based on a classic Japanese form called Bunraku. It involves up to three puppeteers on a single puppet standing in view of the audience. It is often used in television puppetry in conjunction with a green screen.
1, 2, Step!
Beginning Table Top Performance
Level: Beginner
Ages: 1st grade-Adult
Duration: 45 min-1 hour
Participants will learn the basics of manipulating a table top puppet through dance and puppet “yoga” among other fun movement exercises.
Putting it All Together:
Table Top Building
Level: Beginner
Ages: 3rd grade-adult
Duration: 3 hours
In this workshop, participants will learn how to build a simple table top puppet using newspaper, tape and string and learn the basics of table top manipulation through dance, puppet “yoga” and performing short scenes.