Summer 2025 Workshops
Announcing Summer 2025 Puppetry Workshops!
Take a live online workshop from anywhere in the world! Whether you choose a 1-week intensive, or you prefer one to two nights a week over several weeks, these workshops offer a range of puppetry styles including Shadow, Toy Theater, Hand Puppet Techniques and more with expert instruction to create within a fun, communal format. Live work sessions, group sharing and personal feedback combine to make these some of the most enjoyable and productive workshop opportunities available. Upon completion, each student who participates fully will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Festival. See below to select your course and register!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Limited scholarships available upon request, BIPOC encouraged to apply.
We will review applications on a rolling basis.
early bird + multi-workshop discount
Get 15% off with the Promo Code PUPPETLOVE if you:
1. Register for a workshop at least two weeks before it starts
—or—
2. Register for two or more workshops in one session
Note: Only one discount can be used per workshop.
for teachers
Are you a TEACHER interested in using these workshops as credits toward your Certificate Renewal? We'd love to help make that happen!
Reach out to us at taylor@chicagopuppetfest.org so we can discuss.
Find the Perfect workshop for you!
One Week Online Workshops
Shadow Puppetry I (Level 1)
with Chinese Theatre Works
June 2 – 8, 2025
1 week: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat, and Sun
7 – 9pm CDT
Cost: $250
Shadow Puppetry II: Developing your Show (Level 2)
with Chinese Theatre Works
July 21-27, 2025
1 week: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat, and Sun
7 – 9pm CDT
Cost: $250
Shadow Puppetry 2 (Level 2) is an advanced course of the exploration of light, object, sound and moving image. Participants will conceive, craft and perform their own shadow work, using both traditional techniques, contemporary digital projection and lighting technology.
Toy Theater I (Level 1)
with Roberto Rossi
August 18 – 24, 2025
1 week: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat, and Sun
7 – 9pm CDT
Cost: $250
Toy Theater 1 (Level 1) is an introduction to the form and the basic skills concluding with a showing. Make your first toy theater stage using recyclable materials. Learn conceptual and design approaches in building an original work. Build basic jointed 2D puppets and moveable set pieces and discover the unique theatrical language of the Toy Theater.
Toy Theater II (Level 2)
with Roberto Rossi
August 25 – 31, 2025
1 week: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat, and Sun
7 – 9pm CDT
Cost: $250
Toy Theater 2 (Level 2) will be an opportunity for participants to further develop their shows. We will be exploring different ways of articulating and mounting puppets and of enhancing the illusion of depth through stage design and lighting. We will also look at the dramaturgy of the miniature spectacle and isolate the compositional elements of this highly visual theater form as participants prepare for an informal—yet always exciting—showing on the last day.
Multi-Week Online Workshop
150 Hand Puppet Techniques (Level 1)
with Chad Williams
June 9 – July 14, 2025
6 sessions over 6 weeks:
Mondays: 6 – 8pm CDT
Cost: $300
150 Hand Puppet Techniques (Level 1) is great for beginners or puppetry pros! Participants will create their own hand puppets and learn the best techniques and secrets from a hand puppetry expert. Each week we will build, play, learn, and perform! Puppeteer Chad Williams incorporates moves from Chinese Bu Dai Xi, European glove puppetry, and other traditions into his modern style.
Multi-Session Online Workshop
Designing Puppets for Cutting Machines (Level 1)
with Myra Su
June 14-15, 2025
2 sessions over days:
Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 12pm CDT
Cost: $100
To help you save time and your wrists, Designing Puppets for Cutting Machines (Level 1) aims to share digital tools that can help elevate your next puppet project! We will learn how to digitize puppet designs so that physical parts can be made using a craft cutting machine or laser cutter. Most importantly, we will learn ways to retain the human touch in our designs when digitizing them. These techniques are useful in creating shadow puppets and also limbs that can be assembled into a 3D puppet. Prior experience with drawing software is helpful but not necessary.
Guide to Levels
Level 1 – Introduction of a particular form, through its basic skills and elements. Ideal for all new to puppetry and those looking to refresh their foundational knowledge.
Level 2 – Offering applied foundational skills and techniques for a specific form. Ideal for those who have some experience working in the form.
Level 3 – Instruction of more advanced skills and techniques for emerging and experienced puppeteers.
Level 4 – Instruction supporting the use of puppetry to create or progress a short form work.
Level 5 – Ideal for artists who are expert in their respective artistic field. These offerings frequently have an application and selection process, are by invitation and are designed to take a work in development to the next level.
