The Big La Pêche Puppet Project!
Join us to make lantern puppets and be part of our fall show!
Theatre Wakefield invites you to help make lantern puppets by hand—some small, others larger than life! All ages welcome!
We’ll be creating puppets from 9 am to 1 pm on four Saturdays: May 27, June 3, 10 and 17. Come for one morning or all! (Ideally, a lot of people will be able to commit to all the sessions!) The sessions are free. We supply all the materials and tools.
The puppet-making sessions are at Place des Artistes de Farrellton, 42 Chem. Plunkett, Farrellton, QC J 0X 1T0 – only 10 minutes’ drive north of Wakefield.
Our fall shows will be on Saturday, September 16 and 23, 2023, starting at dusk – perfect for a magical evening of storytelling with light, music and song.
The Big La Pêche Puppet Project is made possible by support of the Municipality of La Pêche, Canadian Heritage, the English Language Arts Network and MRC des Collines de l’Outaouais. Theatre Wakefield is also grateful to the Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry for mentoring it in the art of puppet-making.
We regret that the first four puppet-making sessions are not wheelchair-accessible, but later sessions at the Wakefield Community Centre will be fully accessible.
If you have questions: See our FAQ (below the photos) or email us at TheatreWakefieldQc@gmail.com
Please let us know you’re coming:
Theatre Wakefield is looking for playful and creative individuals to help bring this story to life! The auditions will be fun and interactive – no puppetry experience required.
All photos by: David Lane, New England Puppet Arts – Permission granted for use
FAQ
How old do you have to be?
It’s open to all ages. Children 10 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.
Is there a fee? Do I need to bring tools?
It’s free – and we supply all the material and tools.
How many puppet makers are you looking for?
We need lots. The more the merrier!
Will I get to take home the puppet I make?
The puppets are for our two performances in September. We hope you’ll want to be in the show with one of the puppets (which may well be the one you made!) While we can’t let you take a puppet home, please share images of your puppet-making experience with family and friends! Encourage them to visit us on Facebook or at theatrewakefield.ca
How long is each session and do I have to commit to more than one?
They’re from 9 am to 1 p.m. Come for one session or all of them or something in-between. We hope you’ll enjoy it so much you’ll keep coming back!
Do you need experience?
You don’t, but any one with experience is welcome! We need experienced people and folks who are new to puppet-making.
What about food and drink?
Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer snacks or beverages. It’d be a good idea to bring your own.
How long will it take me to make a puppet?
It depends on how big or complex that puppet is. Smaller, easier puppets may be completed or nearly completed in one session. Large puppets can take several sessions to complete.
What are the puppets made of, and how will they be lit up?
They’re made of bamboo, muslin and glue. They’re lit with battery-operated LED lights and some theatre lighting.