This workshop is an introduction to Puppet Making and its processes, from idea to physical puppet. Puppets are found all around us, from theater and Broadway, to movies and tv, to children’s shows and educational material. In “The Basics of Puppet Building”, we will focus on creating an understanding of the basic skills and techniques needed to make a functional puppet as well as the process that goes into designing puppets for theater and personal performance. Puppet building greatly focuses on problem-solving: How do I make this arm bend in the right place? How do I make this puppet blink? How do I make this puppet comfortable to use? How do I design the puppet so that audiences will enjoy watching it and find it easy to understand?

Workshop days will start with introductions to various types of puppets, from shadow puppets to Muppet-like puppets, to walk-arounds, etc, and will continue with students brainstorming their own designs before learning how to bring them to life. Puppet prototyping will be the main focus so that students will understand the “why” of how a puppet works. We will also focus on utilizing low-cost materials for learning new techniques and testing ideas while discussing what “next-step” materials could be.  Students will go home with prototypes of several kinds of puppets and the skills to bring them to the next level even after the workshop ends.

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Cancellation Policies

Please read through these policies carefully on our website's policy page. Written notice of cancellations via email (to wccregistration@worcester.edu) is required within specified cancellation windows detailed on our website. https://worcestercraftcenter.org/about/policies/ 

Effective September 1, 2024 and onward: ALL WORCESTER CENTER FOR CRAFTS COURSES WILL REQUIRE AT LEAST 5 BUSINESS DAYS NOTICE PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE COURSE IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND. See Website for more information. 

Inclement Weather Policy

For information on the Craft Center's inclement weather cancellation policies, please visit our website's policy page. Students are encouraged to also check our homepage and our Facebook page for status updates and closure announcements. https://worcestercraftcenter.org/about/inclement-weather-updates/ 

WCC Media Release Policy

We may occasionally use photos of students in promotional materials. Enrollment in one of our courses is consent to WCC using photos/videos of your class participation and/or art work in future advertising. If you would prefer WCC to not use photos of yourself or your enrolled family member, please let us know by filling out the media release form located on our website, and submitting it to wccregistration@worcester.edu

If there is a photographer in your course/workshop, kindly remind them that you have withheld consent to be photographed. If WCC is using your photo in current marketing and you would prefer it not to be used, please let us know by emailing wccregistration@worcester.edu

Questions? Call us at 508.753.8183 X301