CHICAGO PUPPET FEST PRESENTS
Puppetry Workshops
Take a live online workshop from anywhere in the world or join us at the Fine Arts Building! Whether you choose a 1-seesion intensive, or you prefer one to two nights a week over several weeks, these workshops offer a range of puppetry styles including Shadow Puppetry, Toy Theater, Hand Puppetry 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.
BY THE NUMBERS
About Our Workshops
Students from:
Students from:
CURRENT offerings AT A GLANCE
Spring 2026 Puppetry Workshops
Bringing Emotional Truth to Hand Puppets (Level 1)
with Joshua Holden
April 19
In Person | 1 x 3hr session
Shadow Puppetry 2: Mechanisms (Level 2) with Linda Wingerter
April 22 – May 2
Live Online | 5 x 2hr sessions
Extreme Puppetry
(Level 1) with
Mark Down
April 26
In Person | 1 x 3hr session
Shadow Puppetry 1 (Level 1) with Chinese Theatre Works
April 29 – May 13
Live Online | 5 x 2hr sessions
Puppet Design Strategies (Level 1)
with Tom Lee
May 3
In Person | 1 x 3hr session
Toy Theater 2: Developing your Toy Theater (Level 2) with Roberto Rossi
May 4 – May 17
Live Online | 5 x 2hr sessions
Pop-up Book for Stage Design (Level 1)
with Jaerin Son
May 6 – June 17
Live Online | 7 x 2hr sessions
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.
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 2 workshops sometimes have a prerequisite of a particular Level 1 class.
Level 3
Instruction supporting the use of puppetry to create or progress a short form work. These offerings may involve an application process.
