Key Information:

• Best for: Foundation to Grade 6 (Ages 5–12).

• Educational Value: Enhances literacy, drama, vocal and body work, visual storytelling, and manual creative skills.

• Duration: 45–60 minutes (includes a post-show puppet Q&A).

• Setup Requirements: A school hall, library, or double classroom with standard power access, whiteboard and small table.

• Group Sizes: Works best for individual classes. Larger single year groups by arrangement.

• Workshops are suitable for individual class groups only.

• Combined class groups of up to 30 students can be accommodated, by agreement.

• Compliance and Safety Working with children check. Police check. Third Party insured. Current vaccination for flu and Covid.

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Incursions to schools are standalone customised visits. I consult with you and your team of educators to create a story/puppet performance or workshop to fit with your student's learning outcomes.

Whether you have a specific subject interest; a Book Week theme, literacy, storytelling, drama or creative arts focus; I can curate a program of relevant stories and puppets to suit you.

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Storytelling performances.

My performance focus is on your children. I tell stories with them using props, characters and visuals - including novel ways of 'telling' such as drawing in real time. I invite your students be part of the storytelling, through actions and vocals, anticipation and conversation.

My puppets interact directly with children, chatting and telling stories about themselves. Puppets work their own special magic with audiences. They engage in conversations with people in a way that I could never manage by myself. 

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'Its not all over when the show is over'. At the end of each show I hold a question and comment session.

Students are always curious about how my puppets 'work', and I like to demonstrate how they have been made and how they operate.

Children can have the opportunity to look more closely at my puppets, with my supervision. This closer 'look' works best with small groups of 3 or 4. I am more than happy to stay on after a show, so that whoever wants to can get the chance to look more closely at the puppets. This is a perk of my show and I can factor in this looking time to suit your timetable.

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Story and playmaking workshops.

Can be a standalone incursion or an extension of a story/puppet show.

I guide your students through the process of creating a dramatic interpretive play based on a chosen story. With direction, I ask your children to interpret characters and situations, drawing upon their imaginations, creative ideas, decision making and problem solving skills.

This development stage is lively, and highly participatory, as we decide together how the story will be played out. I am always there to guide and direct the action and support the players in a respectful and inclusive process.

After rapid rehearsal, we perform the play. 

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Playmaking is a collaborative activity that asks your children to work as part of a co-operative group. It is highly playful and inventive. There are no right or wrong ways to make the play and is wonderfully free and affirming to individuality.

This workshop can be an extension of a story/puppet performance, or it can be a standalone workshop with a smaller introductory story and puppet performance to set the scene.

Allow 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the experience.

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Puppet workshops 

I demonstrate and guide your children to make and operate a marionette puppet from fabric, paper, foil, string and elastic bands. Each student makes their own puppet There is a process to follow and I will take students through each step, helping anyone who might experience difficulties. It is a tremendously satisfying activity and outcome. 

I supply my own hand drawn instructions showing how to make the puppet in clear visual and written steps.

This activity is suitable for children from year one upwards. 

The basic requirement would be the ability to tie a knot in a piece of string, and wrap a rubber band around something else.

I support your children in practicing and aquiring these skills.

This activity is wonderful for hand eye co-ordination, manual dexterity and also gives a fairly quick satisfying outcome. 

Allow 1.5 to 2 hours