Contact Nicole at puppetsalacarte@gmail.com
The following PUPPET PLAY DATES includes hands-on puppetry, story building, and activities designed to engage participants in artistic expression, collaboration, and storytelling through puppetry.
SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
Puppets a la Carte: My signature presentation begins with a short performance and continues as a highly interactive workshop. I introduces children/adults to several types of puppets, demonstrating how the puppets are used, giving tips for movement and voice techniques, and guiding participants to use the puppets following prompts to begin creating their own puppet story moments. Best for upper elementary, middle school, and high school.
$350 for one visit. $700 for the full, recommended two-part program.
Caring for Moondog: Meet and interact with Moondog, my life-sized dog puppet! This program emphasizes empathy and friendship through the telling of an ancient Indian tale, “The Royal Elephant and the Little Stray Dog.” Help care for Moondog and other puppet friends. Best for lower elementary.
$350
Delgadina: After introducing two puppet friends, I tell the story of: “Delgadina,” a tale from Chile collected by Laura Simms. A magical and perilous story of a girl and her special care and friendship with an extraordinary snake. After the story, students choose a puppet to borrow from my puppet petting zoo. They practice empathy and care for their animal puppets as they visit sensory stations where their puppets can sample pretend food, different sounds, smells, and bedding. Finally, children are invited so their puppets can share back the story of their adventure to the stations. How did they feel? What did they like? How might they use magical powers to help others? Best for all elementary.
$350
Celebrate Lunar New Year: Learn about Lunar New year (aka Chinese New Year, Spring Festival) through a story and a colorful display and then help bring the giant dragon puppet to life! My home made dragon puppet will inspire children to imagine what they can make on their own as well as think about what the new year means to them. Children stand under the dragon holding up hoops and marching forward to bring this mythic creature to life. One child or teacher can be chosen to lead the puppet in its movement with the “pearl of wisdom” topped staff. Other children can run along side with noise makers or other (quieter) decorations. Best for all ages.
$350
All About Fred: Meet Fred, a human-sized paper puppet. Take Fred apart. Build Fred anew. Learn to bring Fred to life. Excellent incorporation of STEAM concepts. Best for upper elementary, middle school, and high school.
$350 per visit (can be extended over multiple days to expand on concepts and create a short performance piece.)
Puppets a la Chagall: Our inspiration is the great 20th century Russian/French & Jewish artist, Marc Chagall (1887-1985). Chagall was part of the modern art movement, and helped give rise to surrealism (also part of cubism). Together we will explore Chagall’s art and practice story telling through the creation of a paper puppet show. Best for upper elementary, middle school, and high school.
$350 per visit (can be extended over multiple days to expand on concepts and workshop the students’ short performance pieces.)
Puppets your way!: I am happy to work with teachers and administrators to tailor a program that fits with your curriculum. Give me a call.
One example: I worked with an ELA classroom on the concept of:
Characterization: In this one hour workshop, I taught upper elementary aged students about characterization through an introduction to various puppets. The students learned the elements of characterization that they could then apply to their own creative work, or to analysis of fiction. Classmates were divided into teams and circulated to a number of stations where they practiced elements of characterization with a variety of puppet types.
BIRTHDAY and OTHER PARTIES
After a short performance, puppets chat with your guests, making the guest of honor feel special, tell a story while children participate with props, and invite children to play with a whole box of puppets. Individual approaches will be considered.
$350/hour
ATTENTION GETTER: ROVING PUPPETEER
Looking to add a little pizazz to your party? Consider having one of my puppets mingle with your guests, or provide a short opening act. Got music? My scarf marionette loves to dance.
Else, a 70 year old lady from the old world, enjoys reflecting out loud on her observations of life and likes to learn from the audience.
Other options possible.
$150/hour
CONSULTING
I greatly enjoy working with theater people, teachers, dancers, artists of all types, and all puppet lovers to help incorporate puppetry in your work and play. Send me an email and let’s start a conversation!
$80/hour
PUPPETRY CAMP
Currently by invitation only. Offered over summer break. 3 or 5 hours each day for 2 or 5 days. Maximum of 10 children (or adults) per session. Participants will learn about warming up body and voice for performances, will have the chance to play with my puppet collection, will make their own puppets, and create a short collaborative performance for their loved ones.