Heaper Christine Dempsey at The Sandglass Institute

Sandglass Theater and The University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts Program offer an annual three-week Puppet Arts Training Program for puppeteers, builders, writers, and all of those who want to further explore the puppet as a medium.

Puppet Heap intern Christine Dempsey has been participating in the program this year [from June 27th to July 17th] and we can't wait to see what she comes up with -- participants get open workshop time for building & an opportunity to develop their own pieces. Other sessions include body training & breath development for performers, discussion of puppet theory, improvisation workshops, and more.

Click here for more information about the Sandglass Institute.

Puppet Heap at The 20th Annual O'Neill National Puppetry Conference

Puppet Heap marketing director, Jean Marie Keevins coordinated the 20th annual O'Neill Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center this month. Puppet Heap founder Paul Andrejco led Focus On Design, a workshop focusing on character, set, and sound design. Fellow heapers Jim Kroupa and Tim Lagasse also appeared at the conference. Kroupa led a 3-day intensive on creating mechanisms for puppets, while Lagasse directed a puppet music video, enlisting ten participants as his crew.


The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center scooped up a Tony award just in time for the main conference, which took place this past weekend (June 19-20.)


For photos, or for more information, see here.

Fellow Heaper James Godwin Joins Henson Alternative's Stuffed and Unstrung!

We would like to congratulate Puppet Heaper James Godwin, who has recently joined Henson Alternative's Stuffed and Unstrung Off-Broadway (for two weeks as of May 26th) -- we would also like to congratulate Heaper Melissa Creighton, who performed in the show last night.

"After just the first few moments of watching...or rather..interacting with the puppeteers of Stuffed and Unstrung, you’ll realize this is no ordinary puppet show... The magic that’s usually a secret shared only among expert puppeteers is unveiled on stage as this world-class, hilarious gang of professionals does their thing right before your eyes." (stuffedandunstrung.com)


For more information about the show, or for tickets, click here.


**UPDATE** James Godwin has rejoined the cast and will be performing until the show closes on July 3rd! Go see it if you haven't already!

Puppet Heap in April's Kidscreen Magazine!

Check out the nice article about Puppet Heap in this month's magazine of Kidscreen! Just follow the link to their site HERE.

KidScreen is the leading international trade publication serving the informational needs and interests of kids entertainment professionals.

Happy Anniversary Terry Fator!!

Puppet Heap was ecstatic to be apart of Terry Fator's one year anniversary extravaganza at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this past week. It has been one year since Terry began his run at the Mirage, and Puppet Heap was happy to be there as Terry unveiled his brand new Crash Test Dummy puppet designed and built right here in Hoboken by the Puppet Heap team. Here's to many more fantastic years to come!

Handmade Puppet Dreams

Aircraft Carriers AND Puppets! It's not too good to be true, it's simply Kids Week aboard the Intrepid Museum in NYC. This year the festival featured a screening of Heather Henson's curation of puppetry shorts Handmade Puppet Dreams. Puppet Heap's original short film Mother Hubbard was one of the shorts selected for the viewing. Puppet Heap was happy to be apart of Handmade Puppet Dreams as always, and director Paul Andrejco, stayed afterwards to answer any of the audience's questions during the talkback.

To learn more about Handmade Puppet Dreams, you can visit their website here.

Chinese New Year with Grace Chang

Looking for a wonderful afternoon of family friendly "edu-tainment"?
Puppet Heap recommends you stop by the Brooklyn Central Library to see Grace Chang's Chinese New Year Gala event on February 13th. Grace has a wonderful show that includes acrobats, magic illusions, live music, and puppetry.

Puppet Heap was lucky enough to collaborate with Grace in the building of her magical dragon puppet named Jin Jin in 2009.

Chinese New Year Gala Event
February 13, 2010, 1:oo PM
Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch
Dweck Theatre
www.changimagination.com