2019 CONSTRUCTION & HANDS-ON CLASSES
Construction classes at National provide hands-on learning opportunities with a project you can take back home! These classes require pre-registration and a materials fee to cover your cost of supplies. The workshops listed below were from our 2019 conference to give you an idea of the variety offered. Each year is different depending on teacher availability.
Class sizes are limited. Register early for priority registration!
*Already registered? We will notify you when priority registration opens.
CONSTRUCTION:
FULL BODY PEOPLE PUPPET
Instructor: Linda MacAuslan
Wednesday: 8:30 am - 12:15 pm
Cost: $50 | Limit: 6 people (1 per group max)
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
You will use a pre-sewn kit to build your own full body moving mouth puppet with detachable legs using fabric, foam, hand sewing, and gluing. Kits will be beige or brown flesh tone fabric.
CONSTRUCTION:
SHEEP PUPPET
Instructor: Patsy Coffin
Wednesday: 2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $15 | Limit: 12 people
Skill Level: Beginner
You will start with a partially pre-sewn kit to build your own moving mouth sheep puppet made from fabric and polyfil. We will be using hand-sewing and hot glue for assembly.
All materials will be provided.
HANDS-ON: PROJECT FUNWAY –
QUICK & EASY COSTUMING
Instructor: Laura Wray
Friday: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Cost: $10 | Limit: 12 people
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Learn quick and easy ways to make the costume you want. We'll cover how to size your puppet, make the base pattern, and creatively use simple items to modify the costume. From chefs and cheerleaders to marching bands and monks, the possibilities to enhance your program are endless!
HANDS-ON: INTRO TO
BALLOON TWISTING
Instructor: Sharon Tucker
Friday: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $10 | Limit: 16 people
Skill Level: Beginner
You will learn how to create basic twists with balloons to create all sorts of things. All you need is an ability to inflate a balloon using a pump, and tie it! Please bring a balloon pump and balloons, if you have them. There will also be pre-pumped balloons for you to experiment with.
CONSTRUCTION:
DONKEY PUPPET
Instructor: Patsy Coffin
Wednesday: 9:00 - 12:00 pm
Cost: $35 | Limit: 8 people
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
You will start with a kit to build your own moving mouth donkey puppet using fabric, hand sewing, foam, hot glue and contact cement. All materials will be provided.
CONSTRUCTION:
BABY BIRD PUPPET
Instructor: Jill Harrington
Thursday: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $25 | Limit: 12 people (1 per group max)
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Join us and build an adorable baby bird puppet using a prepared kit. There will be lots of colors to choose from. Please bring sharp scissors.
*Express attendees may come early and register for this session!
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PRIVATE COACHING:
PUPPETRY (30 min. slots)
Instructor: Kristofer Sommerfeld
Friday: 11:15 am-12:15 p; 1:45-2:45 pm
Cost: $10
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Bring your favorite song or skit that you’ve perfected or are working on with your puppet for this one-on-one coaching session with a master puppeteer. You’ll receive feedback and suggestions to enhance your puppetry, performance, and technique and help take you to the next level
HANDS-ON: GOSPEL MAGIC
YOU CAN DO
Instructor: Michael T.
Friday: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $10 | Limit: 13 people
Skill Level: Beginner
You can't always have a puppet handy, but you can always have a simple magic trick in your pocket! Learn how to capture a person's attention with easy-to-learn magic tricks! You will receive the "how-to's" and tricks for keeps. Please bring a container to store your new tricks for safe keeping!
HANDS-ON: WORKING WITH
POLYSTYRENE (STYROFOAM)
Instructor: Bill Scott
Wednesday: 2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $5 | Limit: 10 people
Skill Level: Beginner
Explore the basic tools & techniques for working with the many forms of styrofoam and their applications for puppets & props. We'll end with carving and shaping a glove puppet head.
CONSTRUCTION: HUMAN
HAND MONSTER PUPPET
Instructor: Dave Privett
Thursday & Friday: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $50 | Limit: 12 people (1 per group max)
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Construct a human-hand Monster puppet with fur & foam. Bring sharp fabric scissors, 3 hand-sewing needles, a thimble, 30 dressmaker's pins, and, if possible, a sewing machine (preferably free arm). *Express attendees may register for this session
PRIVATE COACHING: VENTRILOQUISM (30 min. slots)
Instructor: Dotti Seitz
Friday: 1:45 - 4:00 pm
Cost: $10
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Bring your favorite piece that you’ve perfected, or are working on. I'll offer suggestions to enhance your performance, including technique, voice(s), stage presence, etc. Alternatively, we can discuss vent topics like: marketing your act, staging, PR, and beyond.
CONSTRUCTION: MULTIPLE MOVING MOUTH PROP-PET
Instructor: Jill Harrington
Friday: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $25 | Limit: 10 people (1 per group max)
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Did you ever need 6 loaves of bread to sing but only have two hands!? In this class you will construct a prop with a sliding moving mouth mechanism that will delight and surprise your audience. There will be many designs to choose from. Please bring scissors and a glue gun.