Interactive Puppetry Workshops by Mermaid Theatre

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Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is pleased to offer workshops and demonstrations of the art of puppetry. We are available to travel to area schools, and we can also host school groups at our facility in Windsor. We can also run these workshops for adults!

In addition to the options below, Mermaid will also entertain proposals for extended workshops with adequate advance notice. Extended workshops can include puppet-making and manipulation techniques in a variety of puppetry styles. The cost of extended workshops varies; Mermaid Theatre will work with you to create a customized workshop that fits your school’s budget.

½ DAY WORKSHOPS AT YOUR SCHOOL - $150 + HST
Notes: for schools further than 50km from Mermaid’s Windsor office, additional travel charges may apply. Subject to instructor availability. Morning, afternoon, or after-school workshops can all be accommodated.

• Two 50–minute workshops.
• Students learn the basics of puppet manipulation.
• Materials provided by instructor
• Maximum 35-40 students per workshop
  • additional adult supervision is required for large groups

• OR •

• One extended workshop with a single group.
• Students will construct their own puppets from various objects, and then learn the basics of manipulating them
  • Construction materials can be found objects or provided by instructor (note: There will be an additional charge for Mermaid-provided materials, but a wide variety of household items can be used. Contact us for more information.)
• Maximum of 20 students
  • Additional students can be accommodated with more adult help
    • (+1 adult volunteer for every +5 students)
• Approximately 2 hours + breaks
  

COME TO OUR FACILITY IN WINDSOR

• Facility tour
  • See where our imaginative puppets are imagined, constructed, and rehearsed before touring the world
  • Tour is 25-30 minutes in length
  • No charge for tour (donations accepted)
• Facility tour + interactive puppetry demo
  • Start your visit with a tour of our workshops and theatre as above
  • Hands-on demo for up to 40 students
  • 45-50 minute demo allows all students a chance to participate
  • Cost is $60 + HST to add demo to a tour.
  • Demo is subject to instructor availability

   

  CONTACT US!
  Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
  P.O. Box 2697
  Windsor, NS B0N 2T0
  (902) 798-5841
  puppets@mermaidtheatre.ns.ca

   

   

 

August 15-26, 2011

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, one of North America’s most respected Theatres For Family Audiences, once again offered a two-week intensive workshop in Puppetry Arts directed specifically to Performing Artists.

Through the INSTITUTE OF PUPPETRY ARTS, a small group of dedicated enthusiasts from all over Canada worked with puppetry coaches from Mermaid Theatre’s internationally acclaimed touring productions. Mermaid’s Artistic Director Jim Morrow led a number of sessions lending more than thirty years of experience in puppetry to the workshop.

Participants received an introduction to various styles of puppetry and enhanced their skills through a series of exercises and explorations designed to illuminate the potential that exists in the world of object manipulation. The two-week training session ended with a "show and tell" with eachperformer demonstrating their newly acquired skills. The grand finale was a creative and entertaining 10 minuteshow designed and writtenby the performers to showcase their talents to assembled family and guests.

The workshop also aimed to introduce performers to the specific theatrical style of Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Exceptional students may be considered for the possibility of joining the company as a touring performer.

PLAY-THINGS 2011 took place at Mermaid Theatre’s spacious and well-equipped headquarters in Windsor, Nova Scotia.

PLAY-THINGS 2012 will take place in the summer. Contact us for more information.

Beginning in 2004 with its production of SUNKEN TREASURES, the Institute pioneered the development of a new kind of performance for schools. Drawing its themes directly from the school curriculum, The Institute creates shows in conjunction with professionals in the field (i.e. scientists and biologists), with a view to enriching and reinforcing classroom material. The touring company transforms the gymnasium with scenic elements that envelop the audience on all sides. Innovative puppets, hand crafted in exquisite detail, travel in, around and over the heads of students. Extensive use of informative video footage, interpretive comments, and evocative soundscapes add to an unforgettable experience.