Workshops for Adults
50 Hand Puppet Techniques
"All the things that we do, broken down and delivered."
- Liz Joyce, Artistic Director, Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater
To preserve the art form and to empower a new generation of performers, NYC puppeteer Chad Williams teaches a master class of 50 different hand puppet techniques in this fun workshop for all skill levels.
Participants will create their own 'quick puppets' and learn the best techniques and secrets from a hand puppet master. Chad incorporates moves from Chinese Budaixi, European glove puppetry, and other traditions into his unique style. Actors, teachers, professional puppeteers and more have taken this workshop in the USA and internationally.
Chad Williams has performed thousands of hand puppet shows and studied under some of the most prestigious names in American puppetry. Combining techniques from European, Chinese and Modern hand puppet styles, he developed his own system and has taught it to actors, puppeteers, teachers, parents and others at universities and international festivals.
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New! We released a book with all the course information inside! Purchase your copy today.
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Professional Training Internship
Are you interested in a hands-on deep dive into the world of puppetry? WonderSpark Puppets offers a customizable internship program that can enhance your puppetry skills. Our program has been the first professional training many newcomers received on their journey to become skilled working puppeteers.
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Seasonal - the program runs 2-3 months and classes meet once per week - with homework on the side.
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Real World Learning - interns engage through structured learning with performance and building.
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Mentorship - provides interns with the support of a skilled mentor to assist and enhance critical hands-on learning.
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Credit - we offer a university-recognized internship credit to be issued at the completion of the program.
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We comply with New York State laws regarding internships - you will not be doing unpaid labor. The program runs seasonally and seats are limited.
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POC are highly encouraged to apply!
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Contact us for more information.
Making Connections Through Puppetry
In this single session or multi-day intensive, professionals working with young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are invited to learn about using puppetry within a professional setting. Teachers, therapists, counselors, doctors, nurses, and others working with neurodiverse children are welcome to attend. Puppetry can be used as an amazing tool for interaction, pretend play, communication, de-escalation, joint attention, and more.
Led by professional puppeteer Lindsey "Z." Briggs, participants will learn the basics of performance and technique as well as discuss ways to utilize puppets to make connections with children diagnosed with autism and utilize them when working with children with ASD. Each participant will receive their own puppet to personalize and take home.
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Can be done in-person or virtually. Contact us for more information.