Intro to Shadow Puppets

This is a hands-on course where participants will get to make their own shadow puppets and see how they work in a variety of shadow puppetry set ups.

First I will run through a 20ish minute powerpoint to familiarize the class with just how many incredible forms of shadow puppetry exist in this world, from the ancient to contemporary.

Second, we will take half an hour to build a quick pre-cut shadow puppet so everyone can learn some tips for making joints and have a play with simple movement. If a student is happy with this puppet and does not want to make anything else they are welcome to move on to using the puppet on the different screens and projectors at this stage, but they will have little direct guidance until after lunch.

From 11-1 my assistant and I will guide the class through building their own puppets. We recommend students come with an idea of a character or movement they would like to capture in their shadow puppet. You will be supplied with tools like hot glue guns, scissors, pliers and scalpels, and materials like colored transparency paper, card stock, fabrics, string and springs. Shadow puppets can be as complicated or as simple as you want, it is not a requirement that students be confident or even familiar with these tools and materials.

We will require that all students leave the classroom while we finish setting up the screens for the afternoon session. There are a couple of places to get a quick sandwich or cup of coffee a minute walk from puppet place. We also have a lovely garden that students can sit and have lunch in.

The first part of the afternoon session will be a blend of making and puppeteering your creations. With the 5 different kinds of screens fully set up students are encouraged to take what they have made at whatever level of finish they have achieved and see how it moves in the light. My assistant and I will give tips and tricks for how to manipulate and improve your puppets. This is a very open play time. You are not locked into just playing with traditional puppets: In the past we have had students bring in bits of plants and mirrors to see how they look on the screens and projectors. 

The last half hour is reserved as a show and tell. With the wide array of materials and screens we provide it is incredible what different puppets even a class of 7 can make so this winds up being everyone's favorite part of the class. As students you are not required to show your puppets if you do not wish to.

I am Izzy Bristow a puppet maker and educator with experience across the puppet spectrum, from Muppets to life sized dinosaurs, from international tours to heirloom restoration there is little that puppetry has to offer that I haven't seen. Shadow Puppets became a special interest during the pandemic and I have spent a lot of my free time in the last 5 years learning about their history and how they are made. I love teaching about them and hope you learn to love them too!

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