Sandglass Theater offers workshop programs for puppeteers, teachers, actors, directors, designers, writers, students and anyone who wants to expand and deepen their skill and understanding in the art of the puppet. These workshops are often offered as part of Sandglass Theater residencies and festival performances.

Puppet Design and Building Workshop

A design workshop given by Eric Bass which, from the perspective of creating a puppet, defines the differences between the actor and actor’s theater. In a three-hour class, students will explore lecture, discussion, demonstration, and their own drawings; and the reasons for and advantages of using puppets in theater. Emphasis is placed upon the use and understanding of metaphor as a theatrical device. This workshop may be expanded into one in which actual puppets are made. This might be done in a week’s workshop, under the right conditions. Recommended for high school and college students.

Puppet Building Workshop

Under the masterful guidance of Sandglass co-founder Ines Zeller Bass and Sandglass company member Jana Zeller, participants will learn the basics of a customized rod puppet. The process will include modeling a head and hand, techniques for painting puppet faces, and a fabric body. From this foundational structure students will develop and discover their own unique puppet characters. Get your hands busy and your imagination fired up in this weekend long immersion in the art of building your own puppet. This workshop is for adults of all levels of experience.

Telling Tales with Crankies

Taught by Ines Zeller Bass, Co-Founder of Sandglass Theater. A long illustrated scroll is wound around two spools and set into a box with a viewing window. The scroll is hand cranked, the unfolding story narrated, sung or just accompanied by music. Participants will build their own crankie and create their own story. If you love to express yourself in a beautiful and pure way without technical bells and whistles the crankie will be your best and loving friend.

Creating Puppet Theater from Personal Testimony

Beginning with a story circle exercise developed by John O’Neal of the Free Southern Theater during the civil rights movement, this 3 hour workshop takes participants through a process of gathering personal testimony. The stories we share will provide the backbone of the workshop from which we will explore the potential of the puppet to embody these stories. In addition to examining the actor/puppet relationship, we will work with song, scene-layering, and other techniques to discover the evocative possibilities of storytelling. Participants will work with Sandglass’ exercise puppets as well as found objects and materials to explore the special possibilities of puppetry as a medium for testimonial storytelling.

Virtual Options are Available Please contact us if you are interested in virtual options.

For all workshops

CONTACT: info@sandglasstheater.org
or call (802) 387-4051