Fox Folk Friends Workshops
Our FFM&F workshops aim to teach the fun and artistry of puppetry. They can serve as their own events or be coupled with performances! They are adaptable for almost any age group Pre-K through adult.
Workshop time lengths can range from 45 minutes to all-day immersions. Learn basic puppetry styles & skills while building confidence, enhancing cooperation, and working to bring performances to life!
Workshops are best hosted in large rooms with open space for movement. Gyms, lunch rooms, auditoriums, or community rooms work well. If there are windows, it is best if they can be darkened with blinds or curtains. We bring the fun! Hosts will provide desired seating and tables for displaying our puppets & materials.
LEARN ABOUT PUPPETRY!
Puppet Show & Tell
Our expert puppet team shares its knowledge of puppets and puppetry in an informal learning setting. Students and adults are free to ask questions and puppeteers will share an up-close look at the puppets, how they are manipulated, and other behind-the scenes information that will delight and surprise the audience.
LEARN ABOUT PUPPETRY!
The World of Puppets
This educational workshop is great for any setting. Audience members will be treated to a look into the history of puppetry from around the world. Our puppet team will share its collection of puppets from around the world. Mask, shadow, hand, rod, finger, and marionettes will be featured. Expect a few surprises along the way!
CREATE & LEARN PUPPETRY
Paper Roll Puppets!
This workshop starts with an introduction to various puppet styles including mask, shadow, hand, rod, finger, and marionettes. "Hands-on" experiences will be offered for each of the styles. Then groups will be divided into two teams to create their own paper roll puppets to present a medieval -themed play featuring knights, kings, minstrels, wizards, sheep, & dragons. Each team will have the opportunity to experience both performer and audience roles. Puppeteers will keep their puppets as a reminder of their puppetry debut!
LEARN BASIC PUPPETRY HANDS-ON!
Marionettes, Rods, & Shadows!
This workshop is a great way for classes or groups to learn puppetry in a "hands-on" way. FFM&F will bring a variety of puppets from simple to complex for learners to experiment with. After introducing workshop members to the different types of puppets, short performance scenarios will be featured for group members to explore movement with their puppets. Workshop members will be divided into groups so they can experience both performer and audience roles.
CREATE
Make It & Take It!
This workshop can be adapted to age appropriate levels for its participants to introduce them to the imaginative art of puppetry. This is a great way for school and libraries to tie puppetry to language arts, reading, writing, and literacy. Participants will receive materials to create puppets based on the theme story chosen by the group. Work tables are needed. Groups may furnish their own puppet-making supplies like scissors, glue sticks, markers, crayons, etc. Arrangements can also be made for FFM&F to furnish needed supplies. As time allows, workshops culminate in a short performance by all participants. If younger children are involved, it may be helpful to have older children or adults assist with cutting, gluing, and the like.
LEARN & PERFORM!
What the Lighthouse Saw...
This workshop is still in the development phase, but it takes famous Fox River landmarks and creates a time line of local history from native days to modern times. Possibilities for use of rod puppets, shadow puppets, or crankies will be explored. Designed for audiences middle school & older.
