An informative—and joyous!—course for early childhood educators, parents, grandparents, eldercare-givers, and anyone interested in puppet play

Puppetry creates an opening for magic in both the watcher and the puppet story teller. It nourishes the senses, creates connection, and requires unique participation on the part of the audience; the more we believe the more real it becomes! Puppetry can be as uncomplicated as tucking a simple handkerchief over the hand or as elaborate as manipulating a many-tiered harness tied with multiple strings. But one look into the eyes of a rapt audience filled with children and the “young at heart,” and the certainty exists that puppetry speaks to everyone.

In this course, led by a master puppeteer, you will explore the roots of puppetry, create and bring to life beautiful yet simple puppets, explore their use in seasonal puppet storytelling, and discover ways to bring puppet delight to home life. When possible, we will create and share puppetry in peaceful outdoor campus settings.

Our experience will be filled with musical exploration using simple percussive instruments, the pentatonic lyre, choroi flutes, enchanting melodies, and simple harmonies (bring your favorite songs).  Eurythmy sessions will deepen your puppetry journey as we joyfully explore archetypal characters and storytelling with gesture.

For those of you who have worked with Connie previously, this is your chance to further deepen your work; for those of you who haven’t yet met Connie, this is a wonderful opportunity. No prior experience is necessary. Bring your questions and your sense of wonder!

Connie Manson has taught Waldorf nursery, kindergarten, and parent-child programs for two decades and currently teaches kindergarten and music in the grades at the Suncoast Waldorf School (FL). The founder of Starlite Puppets, Connie has shared the magic of puppetry and music as a professional storyteller/puppeteer through many workshops for parents, performing artists, and teachers of young children in Waldorf schools and training centers nationwide (you can catch a video of Connie discussing her work here). She holds a BFA in Theatre Arts and earned a master’s degree in education from the Waldorf Institute of Sunbridge College.

Course Schedule
Sunday: 5:30-6:30pm registration; 6:30-7pm optional campus tour; 7pm opening session/first class

Monday-Wednesday: Classes begin each day between 8-8:30am and run through 5:30-6pm, with times for break and lunch

Course Fee
$480 (includes all materials and non-refundable $45 registration fee)

Registration: Click here to register

Sunbridge Institute reserves the right to cancel any offering at any time. If Sunbridge cancels, all registrants will be notified and will receive a full refund. If the registrant cancels, he or she will receive a full refund less the non-refundable registration fee.  Sunbridge reserves the right to make faculty substitutions when necessary.