To get a sense of how important gravity and leverage are to marionettes, the participants will start by making simple cloth marionettes, and learn to manipulate them. Then we will move on to the construction of more complex puppets, with working joints and functioning controls.
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Rod puppetry is a form of puppetry that originated in Asia long ago. In the 1800s European colonizers and merchants took samples back home, and then European puppeteers picked up on the idea. These figures are built on a central control rod, and manipulated from below. The arms, and sometimes the legs, can be moved with separate rods.
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Working together in small groups students plan their stories to be performed and create simple but wonderfully effective 2 dimensional figures, scenery and props, using readily available materials, to be manipulated behind a lit fabric or paper screen in visually magical presentations.
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It was the best performance for students I have seen in 25 years of teaching. Your play was a superb historical “lesson” combined with a well-loved fairy tale; your sets were intricate, fascinating and interestingly complex; the way you mixed the puppets in with your own roles made it feel like we were watching a cast of thousands and your performance was flawless. You kept everyone from 9 years old to us adults enthralled… you are awesome performers who have lit a spark in many a heart today. Grade 4 teacher, Charles Howitt PS
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This inventive play delights audiences of all ages, bringing the world of play, creativity and performance to life, brick by brick by brick. Guaranteed to stimulate imaginations and spark creative thinking, the Brick Bros. Circus is a complete, miniature one-ring circus, performed by highly trained building bricks in itty bitty costumes. See the acrobatic Bildovitch Family, the breathtaking Madame Brikaskova, the amazing Brick Contortionist and much much more!
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History and pure fun are integrated in this imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale. We’ve reset the story in 1834, just as “Muddy” York is to be renamed Toronto.
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A World of Puppetry is both an introduction to the intriguing diversity of puppetry traditions around the world, and a demonstration of simple puppet making techniques. The presentation appeals to students’ imaginations and sense of wonder, as well as giving their teachers a solid technical basis with which to inspire creativity in follow-up classroom activities in this interdisciplinary art form.
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At the Tarragon Theatre for One Week Only: December 16 to 21, 2014 School Groups – Dec 16 to 19 – morning and afternoon viewings are available. Public Shows– Dec 19 to 21: Friday December 19th at 7.30 pm Saturday 20th, 2.30 and 7.30 pm Sunday 21st, 2.30 Gala Matinee Ticket prices: Adult $25 Children and Seniors $20 Gala Matinee $50 (includes a charitable receipt for $25) Available at the Tarragon Box Office 416-531-1827
DESCRIPTION Laced with Puppetmongers’ inimitable humour and delightful storytelling, Bed & Breakfast is a charming adaptation of The Princess and the Pea, set in a magnificent miniature mansion of the Edwardian era. Older children are intrigued by the captivating detail – tiny working period light fixtures and a steaming bathtub – while younger children are entranced by the story, transfixed by the power of make-believe. Humour abounds, and everyone roots for the clever servants who conspire to create a happy ending for their Royal employers. Bed & Breakfast was originally written, designed, built and performed solo by Ann Powell. The play was later remounted for two performers, directed by Sue Miner. DETAILS
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After a delicious pot-luck supper we caught up on members activities and developments. One member came prepared to share a technical problem they were encountering with a show in development. The group brainstormed solutions and we finished off the evening with watching a selection of amazing puppetry videos that were recommended by members of the group.
Hosted Chloe and Jessica from Mind of a Snail, who were premiering Multiple Organism at the Toronto Fringe Festival. We were all so enthusiastic about their work that the evening ended in a conversation about having them offer a workshop on overhead projection in theatre on their next visit to town.