During this virtual visit to the Character Division workshop students will be introduced to different styles of puppetry and discover how modern puppetry incorporates diverse artistic traditions and techniques from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. They learn how artists, technicians and performers use new tools and technology (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines) in conjunction with traditional artistry and knowledge to bring expressive puppet characters to life on stage and screen.

Students will also learn about maker spaces, and be guided through a creative engineering process to design, assemble, test, and perform either a simple expressive puppet (grades 4 – 6), or a more complex puppet and mechanism (grades 7 – 8) of their own using a provided kit. At the conclusion of the workshop, students will present their work using the vocabulary, technology and performance concepts that they have learned.