We offer puppet making workshops that can be booked as stand alone events, or along with a performance. Listed here are our standard workshops, but we can also create a workshop tailored to the needs of your group. Please contact cactusheadpuppets@gmail.com for more information.

PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOPS

Rod Puppet Workshop

Learn to make and perform with your very own rod puppet! We’ll share some examples of rod puppets and explore how they move. Then, each participant will get to design and build their own rod puppet character using provided materials. Once the puppets are complete participants will learn the basics of rod puppet performance, focusing on how to use movement to convey emotion, and get a chance to introduce their puppet character to the group! For ages 5 and up.

Workshop length- 60 min. or 90 min., depending on the age for the group.

Available in-person or live virtually. Materials kits can be mailed in advance of virtual workshops.

Shadow Puppet Workshop

Explore the world of shadow puppetry! We’ll begin with a demonstration of different types of shadow puppets. Then, each participant will design and create their own shadow puppet. Using their own puppets, participants will explore different shadow puppet performance techniques, and create a very short performance to share with the group. For ages 6 and up.

Workshop length- 60 min. or 90 min., depending on age of group.

Available in-person or live virtually. Materials kits can be mailed in advance of virtual workshops.

Paper Bag Puppet Workshop

This workshop is great for younger groups. We start with a demonstration of a moving mouth puppet, and show all the participants how they can use their bare hand as a moving mouth puppet. We provide materials and instruction for each participant to make a simple moving mouth puppet using a paper bag and construction paper. Once the puppets are complete, we put on a short group song performance. For ages 4 and up.

Workshop length- 45 min. or 60 min., depending on age of group. 

Available in-person or live virtually. Materials kits can be mailed in advance of virtual workshops.

STEAM WORKSHOPS

Puppet making is the ideal STEAM project, combining design, engineering, problem solving, storytelling, math, and hands on learning. In all our STEAM workshops, participants will brainstorm, prototype, create, and then use their creation in a short performance.

Light and shadow

Come experience the magic that happens when light and shadow combine to tell a story! Participants will use light and shadow to make scenery and then populate their shadow world with transforming shadow puppets of their own design. 

Workshop length: One 90 minute session or 2-4 60 minute sessions

For age groups: 8-11 or 12-14

Skills/subjects: light and shadow, additive/subtractive color, cutting, taping/gluing, performance, cooperation

Mechanical Storytelling

The history of automatons goes back thousands of years from areas all over the world. Once people figured out basic mechanisms, someone would inevitably use them to tell a story. Automatons provide a great introduction to simple machines and a unique STEAM experience! 

In this 4 session workshop participants will learn the basics of automaton construction and create their own scene powered by the turning of a simple crank.   Participants will design, prototype, and construct their very own automaton using accessible materials like cardboard, paper, and dowel rods. No batteries, wi-fi or log-ins required.

Workshop length: 4 sessions, 60 minutes each session

For age groups:  9 -11 or 12 -14

Skills/subjects: Simple machines, engineering, sculpture, story creation, cardboard construction

Paper Engineering

Enter the world of pop-up art!  Learn the basics of paper pop-up engineering and use those skills to create a pop-up scene of your own design.  Participants will use the scene they create as the stage of their own mini pop-up puppet play!

Workshop length: One two hour session or 2-4 one hour sessions

For age groups:  9 -11 or 12 -14

Skills/subjects: Measuring and creating precise shapes and angles, drawing, cutting, gluing, performance