PANELS & WORKSHOPS

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

Puppet Publications Roundtable

Hosted by Puppet Professors Claudia Orenstein & Colette Searls. | Venue: 309

What interesting discussions are people having about puppetry? How are they addressing juicy topics like puppetry and robotics, AI, religion, sexuality, race, spirituality, new media, feminism, and disability? Claudia and Colette will guide you through a wealth of new books and articles addressing these and other issues as they share and exchange their views on recent publications, followed by Q&A and an opportunity to browse materials. Come join us!
Claudia Orenstein is author of Reading the Puppet Stage: Reflections on the Dramaturgy of Performing Objects and co-editor of Making Meaning in Puppetry: Materials, Practice, Perception; Puppet and Spirit: Ritual Religion and Performing Objects (in two volume); Women and Puppetry: Critical and Historical Investigations; and The Routledge Companion to Puppetry and Material Performance. She is Editor of PIR, Puppetry International Research. 
Colette Searls is author of A Galaxy of Things: the Power of Puppets and Masks in Star Wars and Beyond. She is the performance review editor for PIR.

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WORKSHOP

Miniature Me – A Puppet Drama

Teaching Artist: Zoe Beloff  |  Venue: Cenacle

Puppet workshop for children and teens. Participants will be invited to tell personal stories with puppets. The workshop will provide simple puppet templates and backdrops that can be painted and colored by the young artists to create miniature versions of themselves, their friends and families. Each participant will take turns to present a story of something that happened to them, a friend or family member on the puppet stage – which will be filmed on an iPhone so they can take home a movie as well as their own set of puppet characters. 

No experience necessary- this workshop is all about enthusiastic participation.

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BOOK PRESENTATION

Teatro SEA’s Theatre-Books Series

With Dr. Manuel Morán | Venue: Teatro SEA

After more than three decades of uninterrupted theater work and bringing unforgettable adventures to thousands of children and youth, the award-winning Latino Theater Company, Teatro SEA, in collaboration with The Morán Group, brings you their bilingual Theatre-Books Series. Each volume includes full scripts in both languages (and on certain titles, even a third bilingual script!), so now you can broaden the experience of “CULTURA” and the magic of “TEATRO” by reading, studying, staging, and, most importantly, enjoying theater. This presentation will feature the newest titles of the collection.

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WORKSHOP

Crafting a Basic Puppet Film
with Alex U. Griffin

Venue: 309

Join filmmaker Alex U. Griffin for an inspiring hands-on workshop that brings the art of puppet filmmaking into your own home! Designed for all skill levels, this class explores creative techniques for making captivating short films with puppets, no matter your budget or space. Alex will guide participants through the essentials with easily accessible materials and equipment. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, this workshop will unlock your imagination and show you how to craft engaging puppet films right from your living room.

Perfect for artists, educators, and curious creators of all ages! Bring your puppets, ideas, and a willingness to experiment.
 
Alex U. Griffin is an Emmy-award-nominated filmmaker, photographer, and puppeteer. With an MFA in Film Production from Chapman University, Alex has created imagery and content for companies like Disney/ABC, Universal Music Group, Dreamworks, and produces Heather Henson’s Handmade Puppet Dreams film series. Alex is also a past president of Puppeteers of America, and produces/curates/hosts both the biennial Reel Puppetry Film Festival along the popular yearly 48hr Puppet Film Project.  
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WORKSHOP

Return of the Buffalo:
Community Puppetry Craft Day

Join us for a special community volunteer day at St. Ann’s Warehouse (45 Water St, Brooklyn) on Wednesday, August 12 from 10am–2pm as we put the finishing touches on 50 buffalo puppets for RETURN OF THE BUFFALO: TATANKA OWE AKUPI.
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are:

  • Curious, energetic, and ready to jump in
  • Excited about performance, public art, and creative community projects
  • Interested in hands-on craft activities in a welcoming, collaborative environment

No previous puppet-making experience is required. We’ll provide guidance and all the materials you need.
During this four-hour workshop, volunteers will help create the fur coverings for the puppets by:

  • Distressing burlap
  • Hand stitching decorative thread
  • Wrapping colorful thread around strands of fur
  • Creating buffalo tails
  • Adding other finishing details
  • Some activities may involve using scissors, hand-sewing needles, and hot glue.
     
    This is a volunteer opportunity and is not a paid position. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
RSVP HERE