Stories from Greek Mythology (3rd-6th grade and teachers)

• Interactive performance workshops
• Introductory workshops for teachers and classrooms
• Residencies

Past performance workshops (2003-2007)

Interactive performance workshops

After a brief introduction into Greek mythology and its place in Western art I focus on a particular myth using shadow puppets and images from Greek vases. Children participate in the performance, handling puppets and masks, and helping with projection techniques. The workshop ends with a demonstration how to do shadow puppetry at home. In longer workshops children make their own puppets, which will participate in the performance finale. All workshops are suitable for libraries, museums and classrooms. Children under 9 require the help of an adult.
(1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, grade 3-6)

• Theseus and the Minotaur
• Medusa's head
• Herakles' labors
• Atalanta

Introductory workshop for teachers and classrooms

The workshop starts with a brief demonstration, followed by an introduction into puppet making and techniques. Working in teams of two or three, participants will create assigned characters. At the end of the workshop the teams will demonstrate their puppets to the group. The workshop can be used to start a class project, leading to a performance for a wider audience. For teachers, the workshop can serve as an introduction into shadow puppetry, which may be used for a wide range of themes in the classroom.

During short term residencies of 6 to 8 weeks I help classes put up one or more group performances, using stories and themes that fit the curriculum. The emphasis is on the creative process as a team, which includes research, script writing, narration, and sound. Active participation of teachers is required. Stories are chosen in consultation. Possibilities include (but are not limited to)

• Odysseus' travels
• Jason and the Argonauts
• Orpheus and Euridice (possibilities for music production)
• Themes in Greek myths (Gods and mortals; creation and nature myths; constellations myths, etc.)

Only available for schools and organizations within the region of Princeton, NJ.

Teaching Greek mythology with shadow puppetry
Work in progress: "Shady Tricks with Greek Myths"

Past performance workshops (2003-2006)

Hans Christian Andersen's Emperor Stories (2nd-4th grade)

The Danish story teller Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), world famous for his many fairy tales, created puppets and stages as a child, and many paper cuttings as a grownup. In this workshop both interests are combined in shadow puppetry performances of Andersen's two emperor stories. After a brief performance of 'The NIghtingale' the children will make shadow puppets of the emperor's subjects for a group performance of 'The Emperor's New Clothes'.

Wolf Stories (1st-2nd grade to 3rd-4th grade)

Improvising with familiar and less familiar stories around wolves I offer flexible programs, based on the age and skills of the children. All workshops start with a brief performance, followed by an hour of puppet making with the group. The sessions end with an interactive performance in which all children get to use their puppets. Workshops can be single events or series of two to four sessions, in which the children learn about various aspects of shadow puppetry and how to do their own shows.

The Incredible Adventures of Sir James (1st-3rd grade)

Sir James is a knight errant who dreams of rescuing princesses and slaying dragons. Doing so, he faces many dangers. His horse Knightmare usually saves the day.

I visit schools and libraries with interactive shadow puppet performances of a Sir James story as a 'moving picture' book. At schools (1st and 2nd grade) this is done in the context of learning about story structure and plot. At libraries, a half-hour performance is followed by a workshop, in which children make a shadow puppets of a knight, a lady, and  a dragon.