Saturday, April 30, 2011

"Here Come the Clowns" by Brad Shur


THIS WEEK AT PST!
Wed & Thurs | May 4 & 5 | 10:30AM & 1PM
Sat & Sun | May 7 & 8 | 1PM & 3PM

About the show: With a beep, a honk, and a snap, happy clowns caper out of a tiny car to perform humorous vignettes from around the world. Dusty rolls out the red carpet, Pierrot plays on his hobby horse, and Zany rows, rows, rows his boat towards a “big surprise”! Join us for laughter and fun in this wonderful show!

About the performer: Brad Shur, artist in residence at PST, has been professionally involved in puppetry for nearly 10 years. As a fan of all types of puppetry, Brad has built and performed with rod puppets, hand puppets, shadow puppets, larger-than-life costume puppets, Japanese bunraku puppets and marionettes. His shows are high energy blends where at least a few of these styles come together with storytelling, original scripts, and lots of audience participation.

You can catch Brad at least twice monthly at Puppet Showplace Theatre, performing any one of six shows in his repertoire: "Raccoon Tales," "Here Come the Clowns," "The Singing Turtle," "Dr. Doohickey's Monster Machine," "The Carrot Salesman," and his newest production "The Magic Soup and Other Tales."

Brad is also an experienced teacher and offers workshops and classes for all ages on site at PST or private bookings in addition to extended residencies. This programming includes shadow, hand, and rod puppets, or custom workshops. Click here for more info!

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Thursday, April 28, 2011

"Leopard Learns a Lesson" by Magpie Puppets

THIS WEEKEND AT PST
Saturday & Sunday | April 29 & May 1 | 1PM & 3PM

About the show: This story is adapted from an African tale from Malawi. Leopard is always bullying and frightening smaller animals until Rabbit turns the tables on her with the help of the jungle’s two largest beasts, Elephant and Rhinoceros. The audience learns, along with Leopard, that cooperation works better than intimidation. With original music by Alison Reid!

Hand puppets. Recommended for ages 3 & up.

About the performer: Maggie Whalen, Director of Magpie Puppets, a one-woman hand puppet theater, has been performing puppet shows for children and adults since 1969. In 1971, she founded and directed Poor People's Puppets in NYC, which performed in its own storefront theater from 1971 - 1974. She has worked with the Bread & Puppet Theatre in Vermont and Theater for the New City in New York.

Magpie Puppets is committed to innovative children’s entertainment, free of stereotypes and violence. Performances include taped or live music, one-of-a-kind hand puppets, extensive audience participation, and inventive staging.

Maggie Whalen is also a trained pediatric occupational therapist. As an artist and therapist who works with children every day, she is uniquely qualified to understand the developmental and emotional needs of children, and their need for joyous participatory fun.

For more info: www.magpiepuppets.com

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Sunday, April 24, 2011

"Raccoon Tales" by Brad Shur

THIS WEEK AT PST
Wednesday & Thusday | April 27 & 28(SOLD OUT) | 10:30AM
Tickets still available for Wednesday!

About the show: The animals in the forest are always getting into trouble playing tricks on each other. Will they learn their lessons? Three humorous tales inspired by the Native American tales of the Seneca tribe: How the Fox and the Raccoon Trick Each Other; Why the Blue Jay is Blue and the Gray Wolf Isn’t; and, Why the Bear has a Stumpy Tail.

Hand puppets. Recommended for Ages 4 & up.

About the performer: Brad Shur, artist in residence at PST, has been professionally involved in puppetry for nearly 10 years. As a fan of all types of puppetry, Brad has built and performed with rod puppets, hand puppets, shadow puppets, larger-than-life costume puppets, Japanese bunraku puppets and marionettes. His shows are high energy blends where at least a few of these styles come together with storytelling, original scripts, and lots of audience participation.

You can catch Brad at least twice monthly at Puppet Showplace Theatre, performing any one of six shows in his repertoire: "Raccoon Tales," "Here Come the Clowns," "The Singing Turtle," "Dr. Doohickey's Monster Machine," "The Carrot Salesman," and his newest production "The Magic Soup and Other Tales."

Brad is also an experienced teacher and offers workshops and classes for all ages on site at PST or private bookings in addition to extended residencies. This programming includes shadow, hand, and rod puppets, or custom workshops. Click here for more info!

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Vaction Week Continues at PST with "Turtle's New Home"

PST PREMIER!
"Turtle's New Home"
By Deborah Costine

Friday, April 22 |10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, April 23 & 24 |1 p.m. & 3 p.m.

About the show: Blanding is an endangered turtle in search of a new habitat. Each spring she leaves her wetland and travels to a nearby sandy hill where she lays her eggs. When a new road is built between the wetland and the hill, what will she do? With the help from her friend Castor the Beaver she may just be able to fix her problems! Hand puppets.

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

"The children at the Wellesley Nursery School in the Hills were mesmerized by Deborah Costine's newly developed puppet show, Turtle's New Home. This creative and educational puppet show not only captures the childrens' interests but gives them very important information about making new friends, treasuring old friends and being respectful of animals within their habitats." -- Ginny Smith Alterio, Wellesley Nursery School, Pre-K

About performer: Debbie grew up in northern New Hampshire, graduated from Plymouth State College, and attended Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She taught puppetry at Northeastern University, Boston, Mass., Worcester State College and Plymouth State. She has conducted workshops in voice and sculpting at regional and national puppetry festivals. Her character voices are heard on the Verizon website (superthinkers.com). Deborah is the author of The Twig Family in the Oak Tree, a gentle nature story for young children. In 2008 she was a recipient for the Northeast Region of Puppeteers of America's Artistic Achievement Award. In 2009 she won the prestigious U.N.I.M.A. USA Citation for Excellence in Puppetry for her show, A Woodland Cinderella.

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Monday, April 18, 2011

Vacation Week Continues with "A Wild & Furry Puppet Adventure!"


"A Wild & Furry Puppet Adventure" by
Theatre of Life


TUES, WED, & THURS | April 19, 20, & 21 | 10:30AM & 1PM

About the show: Sammy Snail would rather watch TV and play videos than play outside. A crazy set of events sends Sammy on a wonderful adventure into the natural world, and encourages recycling, preserving habitats and outdoor nature exploration. With lots of songs and audience interaction!

An Upbeat musical opener will have audience singing and signing our connection with the natural world and conservation of resources. This show encourages families to turn off lights and appliances, carpool, take a bus, ride a bike or walk. Plant a tree. Buy locally. Recycle & conserve through local food choices are some of the ways to be a good steward of the Earth. There is growing evidence linking the lack of nature in children's lives and the rise of obesity, attention disorders and depression.

About the performer: Lesley Smith is a renowned ventriloquist, puppeteer and singer/songwriter employing the vehicles of humor, dynamic vocals and puppetry to entertain corporations, festivals, school children and their families across the country. As a New England Foundation for the Arts touring artist, the Theatre of Life Puppets has become a premier educational entertainment troupe.

Lesley was chosen from puppeteers across the world to attend the Eugene O'Neill Puppetry Conference in 2005 as an Emerging Artist. This is the same conference that launched Tony Award winning "Avenue Q". That same year, their website www.sammysnail.com won the 2005 NH internet awards for Best Children's Site and top honors as Best of Show out of 200 nominated sites and agencies represented in the contest. Sammy Snail's website was designed by the creative team of Hatchling Interative Studios.

Lesley's early career was in theater, starring in many productions at Durham Center Stage, regional theater, commercials and industrials. She toured professionally as a lead vocalist and bass player in bands of every description, genre and style and still had time to work full time as Director of Recreation Programs and Parks for the town of Newmarket NH for nine years. Lesley's passion is singing gospel and spiritual music in churches across the U.S. Lesley resides with her husband Mark Abramczyk, three sons; Trey, Rowan and Bo and their 110 lb dog Gracie in Durham NH.

Theatre of Life Puppets provides workshops, artist-in-residencies, keynotes and special events for elementary and middle school students, adult groups, organizations and businesses. They specialize in one-of-a-kind comedy skits and in conflict resolution, bully prevention, tobacco prevention, social competency skills, nutrition and environmental education.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

INCUBATOR TUES: "The Egyptian Oracle" by Public VR

THIS WEEK AT PST
Incubator!
TUES | April 19 | 7pm to 9pm

About Incubator: Every other Tuesday, PST hosts a "drop-in" session where emerging artists, veteran puppeteers, teachers, and puppet enthusiasts gather to discuss and develop creative ideas in a casual, informal environment.

Here artists of all media and genres, experienced or not, can experiment with new puppetry ideas, materials and styles. It's a place where knowledge is shared, constructive critique is the norm, and collaborations are born. This event is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $5.

What's happening this week:
Preview of "The Egyptian Oracle", by Public VR- an immersive educational experience that recreates an important religious event from the Ptolemaic Period. By projecting a Virtual Egyptian Temple onto a wall real space merges with virtual space, creating a shared continuum for audience and actors. The star is a virtual High Priest, controlled by a human puppeteer (PST Artist in Residence Brad Shur) interacting with a live actor (PST staff member Brenda Huggins) and the audience, who role-play as the Egyptian populace. The high priest queries the spirit of the temple god which is embodied in a ceremonial boat carried by eight assistants. Fortunes will be told, judgments made, and blessings given.

We will film the event, ask audience members what they learned, and have a general discussion afterward. This experimental work was made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the performance venues in Boston and Pittsburgh.


About PublicVR: PublicVR is a Non-Profit (501c3) organization dedicated to free software and methods for using Virtual Reality in education and research. They are particularly interested in interactive learning games based on virtual worlds, and on projection-based displays which visually immerse the student in the learning space. The use of Virtual Reality is no longer the stuff of science fiction. PublicVR projects are in use for education, skills training, and even for the medical therapeutic treatment of balance disorders.

More information at http://publicvr.org

EGYPTIAN ORACLE | PERFORMANCE AT PST
Friday | May 20 | 7:00pm
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Upcoming Incubators:

May 3, 17, 31

June 14, 28

July 12, 26

August 9, 23

Click here for more info, call 617.731.6400, or email us at artistic@puppetshowplace.org with "incubator" in the subject.

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National Day of Puppetry, 2011, this Saturday!

NATIONAL DAY OF PUPPETRY
Saturday | April 23, 2011

The National Day of Puppetry was started in 1999 by the Puppeteers of America as a way to celebrate the art of puppetry. This year it will be held on Saturday April 23rd. Puppet Showplace Theatre, and the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry are teaming up with performers and presenters across the area to present a full day of fun puppetry events. Join us by attending any of the events below or by notifying us about your own puppetry performance by sending and email to artistic@puppetshowplace.org.

NEWS FLASH! Governor Deval Patrick has issued an official proclamation declaring April 23rd the Massachusetts Day of Puppetry! Join us on Boston Common at Noon on Saturday, April 23 to hear the proclamation read aloud in the company of giant puppets and Boston-area puppeteers.

2011 Massachusetts Day of Puppetry Schedule:

ALL DAY
Barnes & Noble Bookfair to benefit Puppet Showplace Theatre
Barnes & Noble, Prudential Center, Boston & bn.com

Looking for that great new book? Or a spot to grab a coffee after the Puppet Procession? Help support the Puppet Showplace Theatre while you shop! Stop by Barnes & Noble's Prudential Center Mall location and let any cashier know your are there to support Puppet Showplace Theatre on the National Day of Puppetry. Ten percent of your entire purchase will go to support the Mary Churchill Fund for undeserved children. Help us spread the magic of puppetry to everyone!

Can't make it to the store? You can still support the theatre when making purchases online! Just go to bn.com on April 23rd and use code 10447183 when ordering!
10:00AM - 11:00AM
Behind the Mask Studio and Theatre
6 Campbell Park Place, West Somerville, Davis Square T Stop (Red Line)

Visit the studio and see the magical creations of acclaimed mask-maker Eric Bornstein. Note: Behind the Mask welcomes visitors to borrow masks for the puppet procession. Participants will walk through Davis Square and travel by T to downtown Boston.
E-mail behindthemask1@gmail.com for more information.

10:00AM - 12:00PM
Families Creating Together Puppetry Arts Workshop
Nate Smith House, 155 Lamartine Street, Jamaica Plain, Stonybrook T Stop (Orange Line)

Spontaneous Celebrations Families Creating Together is a Visual Arts and Storytelling Program that welcomes and includes children/youth with disabilities, siblings, friends, parents/grandparents in a accessible setting. Workshops are in English and Spanish.
Call Ed Pazzanese for details: 617-524-6373.

10:30AM
Film: "The Never Ending Story" with introduction by Jon Little
The Coolidge Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, Coolidge Corner T Stop (Green Line)

A troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book. Featuring giant puppet characters. Featuring pre-show puppet introduction by local performer Jonathan Little of Little's Creatures.

NOON: PUPPET PARADE!
Puppet Procession on Boston Common and Reading of Governor Deval Patrick's "Massachusetts Day of Puppetry" Proclamation
Boston Public Gardens & Boston Common, Arlington & Park Street T Stops (Green Line)

Big puppets, little puppets, parade puppets and musicians all come together for a fantastic impromptu parade through Boston's Public Gardens and Boston Common, culminating outside the State House with a reading of the Governor's Proclamation announcing the Massachusetts Day of Puppetry! Featuring special guests Big Nazo (Providence, RI), Behind the Mask Studio and Theatre (Somerville, MA), The Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band (Somerville, MA), and the Puppeteer's Cooperative (Boston, MA).

Note: in case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled.

Be a part of the parade! Volunteer performers will meet at 11:00 am at the entrance to the Taj Hotel, 15 Arlington Street, and proceed to the back alley entrance of the Boston Giant Puppet Lending Library. OR, volunteers can bring their own puppets and chart their own route through downtown Boston, arriving on Boston Common by noon. Help us create a "Pied Piper" effect and draw attention to the fine art of puppetry in downtown Boston!

1:00PM & 3:00PM
World Premier of Turtle's New Home by Deborah Costine, Puppeteer!
Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station Street, Brookline, Brookline Village T Stop (Green Line)

About the Show: Blanding is an endangered turtle in search of a new habitat. Each spring she leaves her wetland and travels to a nearby sandy hill where she lays her eggs. When a new road is built between the wetland and the hill, what will she do? With the help from her friend Castor the Beaver she may just be able to fix her problems! Hand puppets.
Recommended for ages 4 and up.

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After this performance, families are encouraged to explore Massachusetts wildlife habitats at nearby Olmstead Park.

4:00PM - 6:00PM
Spontaneous Celebrations Open House
Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth Street, Jamaica Plain, Stonybrook T Stop (Orange Line)

From stilt-walking to mask-making, find out about how you can get involved in festival arts programming in your community! Visit Spontaneous Celebrations for more information.

5:00PM
"RETROSPECTACLE"
Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth Street, Jamaica PlainStonybrook T Stop (Orange Line)

Learn about the history of Spontaneous Celebrations in this spectacular puppet retrospective. Questions? Please contact our box office for more details about these and other upcoming events at 617-731-6400.

9:00PM
Puppet Showplace Theatre Late Night Muppet Movie Festival (Adult Event)
Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station Street, Brookline| Brookline Village T Stop

Excerpts from old-school Muppet TV appearances will be followed by a screening of The Muppets Take Manhattan. Rocky-Horror-style crowd participation is welcome. Hosted by Jonathan Little of Little's Creatures. FREE with suggested donation for popcorn and puppet punch.

To learn more about getting involved with puppetry in the Greater Boston Area, please visit:
Puppet Showplace Theatre

Boston Area Guild of Puppetry


Thursday, April 14, 2011

Vacation Week Begins at PST!

"A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"
by Spring Valley Puppets


Saturday & Sunday| April 16 & 17 | 1PM& 3PM
Monday | April 18 | 10:30AM & 1PM

We kick off our school vacation week programming with the beautiful classic tale A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing by Spring Valley Puppets. Vacation week shows are at 10:30am and 1pm Monday through Friday, and at 1pm and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. And YES, we are open on Easter Sunday!

About the show: This performance features two delightful stories! The first is The Three Wishes, in which Henry and Gretchen must choose wisely when they are granted three wishes. Nest is the title story, A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, where a hungry wolf tries to outwit the savvy shepherd and make a meal of the helpless little lamb. Helpless? Maybe not! Adapted from the Aesop fable, this popular story is enlivened with a colorful Mexican setting, a humorous communication gap and a surprise ending! Hand puppets.

This show is recommended for Ages 3 & up.

About the performer: Michael Graham, puppeteer and director of Spring Valley Puppet Theater, has been performing since 1966 throughout New England, primarily for schools and libraries. He has performed at regional and national festivals of the Puppeteers of America.
He designs and makes his puppets, writes his own scripts, creates the scenery, and does a number of the voices. Michael graduated from Western Connecticut State College, and studied with the renowned puppeteer Albrecht Roser from Stuttgart, Germany, at the University of Connecticut. Learn more about Spring Valley Puppets at www.springvalleypuppets.com

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Monday, April 11, 2011

"Hungry Caterpillar" by Rompmer Rhythm and Puppets

THIS WEEK AT PST

Wednesday & Thursday | April 13 & 14 | 10:30AM

About this Show: Diane weaves 3 engaging tales for younger children - “The Hungry Caterpillar”, about the development of a butterfly; “The Bear and the Beehive”, a story of strength in numbers; and “The Rabbit and the Moon”, a charming tale of friendship, sharing, and the rewards of helping someone in need. Diane’s trademark humor, music, lovely puppets and effects make this fun for the family.

“I wanted to thank you for the wonderful performance this week. All the children were awestruck and thoroughly entertained. The adult comments were equally favorable. The plays were aged appropriately for our young audience, and the business end of the experience was easily handled. All in all a very good experience for Bartlett School.”
-Judith LaPlante, Teacher, Josiah Bartlett Elementary School, Bartlett, NH

About the performer:
Diane Kordas, Romper Rhythm and Puppets produces quality theater performances that entertain and educate audiences. Diane’s puppet shows feature beautifully crafted stages and well designed gorgeous puppets. A live theater atmosphere is created that engages and invites appropriate audience participation, drawing them into the story. The stories are derived from children’s literature, folk tales, legend and myths from around the world.

Diane Kordas has been performing music for children and families since 1992, and puppet shows since 1998. Her classic and original stories with puppets, music, humor and audience participation are enjoyed by children and families at libraries, schools, outdoor events, parties, daycares and preschools throughout New England.

Diane Kordas is a member of Puppeteers of America, Boston Area Guild of Puppetry, UNIMA, and Children’s Music Network. Diane’s CD, “Dinosaur Stomp”, has been chosen Winner of the Children’s Music Web Award 2005 for Best Recording for Younger Children ages 5 to 8, and Best Educational Seasonal or Religious Recording for Younger Children ages 5 to 8.

Diane is a member of the NH State Council on the Arts Touring roster and the New England Foundation for the Arts. Check out her website!

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Friday, April 8, 2011

"Aesop's Fables" by Sparky's Puppets

THIS WEEKEND AT PST
Saturday & Sunday| April 9 & 10| 1pm & 3pm

About the show: Join in the fun as Sparky’s Puppets perform selected stories adapted from Aesop’s Fables. In The Tortoise and the Hare, watch an exciting race between a sassy rabbit and a plodding tortoise. See what happens when a huge lion threatens a tiny mouse, then learn an important lesson from a boy who cries “wolf” too many times. After, join in with the grasshopper’s song in The Grasshopper and the Ant. This show is performed with hand puppets.

This performance is recommended for Ages 3 & up.

About the performer:
Sparky’s Puppets have been delighting children throughout New England for over 20 years. Sparky Davis, the puppeteer, has degrees in English, education, and library science. She began dramatizing children’s literature while working as a school librarian, and now performs these tales in schools, libraries, and festivals.

Performances by Sparky Davis are perennial favorites at Puppet Showplace Theatre. Her gentle approach, lively sense of humor, unique interpretations of familiar tales, and imaginative original characters make for a wonderful show!

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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Incubator at PST, Tuesday. Where Great Ideas Are Hatched!

THIS WEEK AT PST
Incubator!
TUES | April 5 | 7pm to 9pm

About Incubator: Every other Tuesday, PST hosts a "drop-in" session where emerging artists, veteran puppeteers, teachers, and puppet enthusiasts gather to discuss and develop creative ideas in a casual, informal environment.

Here artists of all media and genres, experienced or not, can experiment with new puppetry ideas, materials and styles. It's a place where knowledge is shared, constructive critique is the norm, and collaborations are born. This event is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $5.

What's happening this week:
Quick and dirty puppets-Starting a new puppet project? Before you pour your heart and soul into crafting perfect puppets, you need to make sure everything works. In this session, we will learn several techniques for creating quick, simple practice puppets using inexpensive materials (paper, tape etc).

A Coat for Poverty- Brad Shur, Artist in Residence at the Puppet Showplace, will share a new part of a larger piece titled, "Magic Soup and Other Tales," based on Yiddish Folktales.

We will also be getting ready for the National Day of Puppetry, which is April 23rd.

Upcoming Incubators in 2011:

April 5, 19

May 3, 17, 31

June 14, 28
July 12, 26

August 9, 23

Click here for more info, call 617.731.6400, or email us at artistic@puppetshowplace.org with "incubator" in the subject.

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Saturday, April 2, 2011

"Singing Turtle" by Brad Shur, PST Artist in Residence

THIS WEEK AT PST
Wednesday & Thursday | April 6 & 7 | 10:30am

About the Show: A young, hard working farm boy, Taro, is desperate to earn money to buy medicine for his mother. He is helped by an amazing singing turtle in this Japanese folk tale.

Featuring beautiful handmade hand puppets. Recommended for ages 3 & up.

About the Performer: Brad Shur, artist in residence at PST, has been professionally involved in puppetry for nearly 10 years. As a fan of all types of puppetry, Brad has built and performed with rod puppets, hand puppets, shadow puppets, larger-than-life costume puppets, Japanese bunraku puppets and marionettes. His shows are high energy blends where at least a few of these styles come together with storytelling, original scripts, and lots of audience participation.

You can catch Brad at least twice monthly at Puppet Showplace Theatre, performing any one of six shows in his repertoire: "Raccoon Tales," "Here Come the Clowns," "The Singing Turtle," "Dr. Doohickey's Monster Machine," "The Carrot Salesman," and his newest production "The Magic Soup and Other Tales."

Brad is also an experienced teacher and offers workshops and classes for all ages on site at PST or private bookings in addition to extended residencies. This programming includes shadow, hand, and rod puppets, or custom workshops. Click here for more info!

BUY TICKETS