Explore Puppetry Series

Center for Puppetry Arts

Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring St NW
Atlanta, GA
puppet.org/programs/education/education-programming/
404-873-3391

The Explore Puppetry Series offers courses for adults ages 18+ who want to learn more about puppetry. Different classes are offered throughout the year.

Professional Puppetry Training Program

WonderSpark Puppets

Photo by: WonderSpark Puppets

The Jim Henson Carriage House, NYC
225 E 67th St
New York, NY
wondersparkpuppets.com/puppet-workshops-adults

Are you new to puppetry, looking for a first step or introductory intensive to begin your career? Our professional training program offers access to specialized puppetry skills to all new puppeteers. Our goal is to help foster a diverse new generation of puppet theater professionals through fun and engaging sessions where participants perform, build, and learn traditional techniques. By the end of the final session, students will be ready to move on to auditions, entry-level positions or further studies. This program runs at the Jim Henson Carriage House in partnership with the Green Feather Foundation.

The professional training program runs 2 months and classes meet once per week, with homework on the side. Participants engage through structured learning with performance and building. Puppeteers are provided with the support of a skilled mentor to assist and enhance critical hands-on learning. The program is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested cost of $80 (that's $10 per session).

Ongoing, seasonal

pay-what-you-can

Puppet Technology Video Course

Puppets in Prague

Online
puppetsinprague.eu/video-courses?

Join our NEW online course, which combines recorded videos with bi-weekly consultations. We will draw from the instructions in our recently-published book Puppet Technology. Whether you are an experienced carver or just starting out, the course is designed to teach you the fundamental techniques that are essential. You will learn the craft as well as the aesthetics and gain the confidence and skills to become a master.

October 1, 2024 - April 27, 2025
See website for details

$725.17

Little Shadow's Puppetry Community

Little Shadow Productions

Online
Online
N/A
https://www.littleshadowproductions.com/community

Welcome to Little Shadow’s Puppetry Community—a vibrant space designed for professional puppeteers and dedicated enthusiasts who share a passion for creating extraordinary work. (Or at least are learning to. We love beginners too!)
Here, we focus on nurturing professional artistic voices and providing the tools, vocabulary, and support for our community members to develop their own projects or collaborate with others. Whether you're refining your skills, building new work, or looking to connect with like-minded creators & creatives, this community is your hub for inspiration, growth, and connection.
While we value and celebrate creativity in all its forms, this space is specifically tailored for those committed to advancing their craft in puppetry and storytelling. Together, let’s elevate the art form and build a dynamic, supportive community.

February 14 - December 31, 2025
All day long, every day.

$15

Literature of World Puppetry (Level 1) with Dr. Paulette Richards

2025 Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival

Online
chicagopuppetfest.org/spring-2025-workshops/?dm_i=42VT,1P3P3,3ICW33,6L0XV,1

Why do puppets excel at telling the world’s most beloved stories? Puppets can fly. Puppets can swim. They can be enormous or tiny. They can bring animal, mineral, or vegetable as well as human characters to life. This introduction to puppet dramaturgy will explore the enduring magic of staging the world’s literary masterpieces with puppets. Provided texts include The Ramayana, Punch and Judy, The Love Suicides at Amijima, Anansi stories, and more. Chicago Puppet Fest Symposium curator and author of Object Performance in the Black Atlantic, Dr. Paulette Richards, teaches this seminar.

March 4 - April 22, 2025
Tuesdays at 6:30pm CDT

$250

Paper Heart Puppets Workshop

Hudson Valley Puppetry Festival

Ellenville Public Library
40 Center St
Ellenville, NY
https://www.artsmidhudson.org/hvpf

A make and take workshop

April 19, 2025

FREE

48 Hr Puppet Film Project

Green Feather Foundation

Online
https://www.greenfeather.org/event-details/48hr-puppet-film-project-spring-2025

Here is how the 48hr Puppet Film Project works:

At 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET on Friday April 25th, we will randomly draw a theme, item and action, on the "Handmade Puppet Dreams" Facebook page. This info will also be sent via email to registered participants!

Using those prompts, participants then have 48hrs to build, film, edit, export, and upload a 3-minute (or less) short puppet film!

Submit your film via a Google Form (link sent to registered participants) by 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET on Sunday April 27th.

To Register as a filmmaker participant, purchase a ticket below. One registration is required for each film submitted. (If you have a team, you only need to register once).

Our illustrious panel of judges will watch all of the films with prizes awarded for the top 3 films with additional recognitions for best in category, best kid-made, and MORE! CASH PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED! All this will be announced at the online screening on Sunday, May 18th! (If your local guild or puppet community would like to host an in-person watch party, let us know! Email film@greenfeather.org)

April 25 - 27, 2025
9PM

Character Voice Acting for Puppetry with Jake Bazel

Little Shadow Productions

Photo by: Michael Hull

Zoom
n/a
n/a
https://www.littleshadowproductions.com/voice-vocal

10-Week Group Program
Great puppetry performances start with great characters. In this 10-week workshop, you’ll develop the toolbox you need as a character voice actor to bring bold, dynamic characters to life.

We’ll dive deep into the foundations of character voice acting—exploring vocal placement, emotional authenticity, the comedy behind our characters, and how to quickly find distinct voices that fit any project while staying true to you.
Designed for puppeteers, voice actors, and performers looking to sharpen their character skills, this is your chance to play, explore, and expand your character range for projects on television, in theatre and beyond.

April 26 - June 28, 2025
Every Saturday from 2-3:30 PM EST

$750

On A String: The Art of Marionette Puppetry

Greater Philadelphia Area Puppetry Guild

Abington Art Center
515 Meetinghouse Rd
Jenkintown, PA
greaterphillypuppetryguild.org/event-details/gpapgs-national-day-of-puppetry-celebration

Join a workshop with guild member Gabe Hazuda to learn marionette manipulation and performance using simple silk scarf marionettes. Suitable for ages 12 and up, attendees will be able to perform at the end

April 26, 2025
11am

$15

Recycled Rod Puppets Workshop

Greater Philadelphia Area Puppetry Guild, BreakFAST puppets

Abington Art Center
515 Meetinghouse Rd
Jenkintown, PA
https://www.greaterphillypuppetryguild.org/event-details/gpapgs-national-day-of-puppetry-celebration

Great for all ages! Bring your recyclables! BreakFAST puppets will teach you how to build a rod puppet, use recycled materials, and animate your puppet. Great for all ages!

April 26, 2025
1pm

$15

Stop Motion Puppetry Workshop

Greater Philadelphia Area Puppetry Guild

Abington Art Center
515 Meetinghouse Rd
Jenkintown, PA
https://www.greaterphillypuppetryguild.org/event-details/gpapgs-national-day-of-puppetry-celebration

Kids and adults alike will learn how to animate a puppet in stop motion. This workshop will introduce the people behind the scenes of stop motion puppetry and give them the knowledge to create their own animations. Get hands-on experience animating a stop motion puppet. Lead by experienced stop motion animators/puppeteers Nate Dreschel and Noah Cohen.

April 26, 2025
2:40pm

$15

Sock Puppet Workshop

Greater Philadelphia Area Puppetry Guild

Abington Art Center
515 Meetinghouse Rd
Jenkintown, PA
https://www.greaterphillypuppetryguild.org/event-details/gpapgs-national-day-of-puppetry-celebration

Dive into the whimsical world of sock puppetry with our BYOS (Bring Your Own Sock) workshop! Bring a sock from home or pick from our mismatched collection. Our friendly instructors will help you craft a unique puppet, sharing tips and tricks to bring it to life. Perfect for all ages, this hands-on experience is a fun escape into storytelling. Join us and let your sock tell its story!

April 26, 2025
3pm

$15

Crankies I with Myra Su

2025 Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival

Online
chicagopuppetfest.org/spring-2025-workshops/?dm_i=42VT,1P3P3,3ICW33,6L0XV,1

Crankie 1 (Level 1) serves as an introduction to the crankie from a performative approach. Participants will learn basic construction tips and tricks as well as a cinematic framework to help storyboard and choreograph a crankie piece. We will also touch upon other performative elements that work well with crankies, like shadow puppets and acting in silhouette. The workshop culminates in a sharing of work by the participants.

May 5 - 11, 2025
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat, and Sun: 7 – 9pm CDT

$250

MASS MoCA Wood Carving & Puppet Design Residency Workshop

David Lane / New England Puppet Arts

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art
1320 MASS MoCA Way
North Adams, MA
https://www.assetsforartists.org/workshops-in-residence

The wooden puppet lab returns for another edition in residence at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art where we’ll dig deep into traditional European style carving techniques and create beautiful, inspired wooden puppets together. Topics include: character design, carving technique, controls, joints, painting, and simple costume patterning.
Space is limited so sign up early to ensure a spot!

June 12 - 16, 2025
Formal instruction and demonstrations begin each day at 9 am and run until dinner. The evenings will include open studio and specialized programming such as a show-and-tell and puppet-film night. Field trips to the Clark Art Museum, forest hikes, and impromptu picnics can be organized as the spirit moves.

Tuition: $950 (includes materials & accomodations)

Sandglass Theater's Summer Intensive Puppetry Training

Sandglass Theater

Sandglass Theater
17 Kimball Hill
Putney, VT
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkeTOIgX6FqjlddGZISt1AYvQHOgNfp76n5hQMtwWG2cQCCA/viewform

Sandglass teaches a method of puppet performance that has been developed over 30 years of workshops around the world. Morning training will be led by Ines Zeller Bass (Co-Founder), Eric Bass (Co-Founder), Shoshana Bass (Artistic Director), and Amanda Maddock (Sandglass Associate Artist). Applicants must select a first choice and second choice for the afternoon track. We will do our best to accommodate your first choice. Classes are scheduled five and a half days per week. Participants will have evening access to work spaces. Applicants must select a first choice and second choice for the afternoon track. We will do our best to accommodate your first choice.

Applications open March 1, 2025. Final application is due in our office on Thursday, May 1st, 2025. (If sending via USPS, please allow at least 7 working days for the mail to arrive in our office on time). Applications accepted via email as well. Please visit sandglasstheater.org for more information.

July 6 - 19, 2025
Two week program

Tuition and Expenses Course Fee: $1450 Housing: $500 Communal evening meals: $160 Monday – Friday (10 days) Participants are responsible for all travel, other food and incidental costs.

2025 New England Puppet Intensive

New England Puppet Arts / Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry

The Old Trout Puppet Workshop
3640 15a St SE
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
https://newenglandpuppet.org

NEPI is on the road this year in Calgary, Alberta — taking up residence at the Old Trout Puppet Workshop for eleven days of performance training, design, ensemble devising, community building and exchange. ?The program culminates in a public performance at the C.A.M.P. Cabaret. Space is limited — sign up early to ensure your spot!

August 4 - 16, 2025
Program hours are 9am to 9pm, ?most ?days.

Tuition: $1550 ?CND (Includes ?instruction, ?materials, ?family ?style ?lunch ?& ?dinner.)

National Puppetry Conference

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

Photo by: Richard Termine / Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
305 Great Neck Road
Waterford, CT
www.theoneill.org/pup
860-443-5378

The National Puppetry Conference provides a meeting and creating ground for master artisans to pass their craft and ingenuity to new artists in the field of puppetry. Participants gather from across the globe to create works that defy the bounds of contemporary theater and the imagination. Applications for the 2025 National Puppetry Conference are open now through February 6th.

Puppets in Prague - Online & In-Person Courses

New Workshops!

Puppets in Prague
puppetsinprague.eu

Choose from our wide range of top-quality long-term classes. With us you can turn your dreams into a reality, plus become a part of the flourishing Puppets in Prague community.
Marionette Carving In-Person - June 2024
Marionette Carving & Performance In-Person - August 2024
Automata: Online Course in 7 Modules - September 15, 2024 - April 28, 2025
Puppet Technology: Wooden Marionettes - September 2024 - March 2025

Distance Learning, The Center for Puppetry Arts - ONLINE

Center for Puppetry Arts

Center for Puppetry Arts, ONLINE
puppet.org/programs/?type=digital-learning-workshop

The Center for Puppetry Arts uses the latest technology to offer nationwide Distance Learning programs for PreK-adult through videoconferencing, webinars, and streamed content. Arts-infused workshops are conducted via videoconferencing and are tailored to specific classroom topics and curriculum for K-12 groups. For K-5, hands-on puppet building integrates with science, social studies, language arts and other disciplines to create a dynamic, interactive virtual classroom for a virtual field trip experience. Middle School/High School programs are discussion based. Programs complement national curriculum standards in language arts, social studies, science, math and other areas. The Center provides a comprehensive study guide and materials list for most programs. Webinars (both live and streamed) and streamed workshops and lectures are available for teachers seeking demos and professional development (also available via videoconferencing). Streamed workshops are also ideal for anyone interested in learning about puppetry.