APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED!

What’s up?

World class training to develop unique skills and lifetime performance opportunities

Workshop participants will dive into the craft of professional puppeteering, including:

• How to develop a character and bring a puppet to life

• Personal and ensemble performance techniques to connect with audiences

• Technical know-how required to work on a film set

• Exposure to and experience with industry producers, writers and crew

This training could also land you a role on the screen… The program is designed as a tiered, educational audition, where you advance to the next workshop based on your passion to perform and ability to learn. 

Ultimately, the top-of-the-class will receive one-on-one training with an option to play a character as a professional puppeteer on the pilot season of a new children’s series, Northern Tails. The show intends to be a returning series (multi-year) with an annual production schedule of 2-3 months and a returning crew of up to 40 people, including up to 10 puppeteers and puppet wranglers. Performers who complete the “Professional Puppetry for the Screen” workshop series will also be considered for future opportunities.

Who should give it a shot? — EVERYONE!

This is an open call for applications, regardless of your experience. If you have gusto for performing and storytelling, this could be your calling…

Instructor

Ali J. Eisner

How it works

Step 1: Submit your Application

Apply: September 7 - through Friday, September 29
Open to everyone
No application fee

There are only 12 spots available. We will evaluate the applications based on passion and potential and invite a dozen to register for the workshop series.

• A short written statement on why you want to participate

• A copy or link to your CV, or an outline of previous, relevant experience

A short video of yourself with a puppet – 2 minutes maximum, we want to see both of you so make sure your face is in the shot! Anything goes! Puppeteering is a creative performance art. No idea what to deliver? Try singing the alphabet, reciting a soliloquy, lip syncing your favourite song, or delivering an original bit… No puppet? If you have a sock you have a shot! 

Successful applicants can register for Workshop 1 —>

Workshop 1: Intro to Puppetry

Date: weekend October 20th, 21st, 22nd
By invitation only
Fee: $50/person to help cover some administrative costs

Don’t worry, we don’t expect you to have experience but we need you to be stoked to learn and perform. 

The introductory workshop covers the fundamentals of puppetry including:

• Lip syncing, eye focus

• Puppet manipulation, movement and posture control 

• Developing characters with voice and attitude

• Performance and storytelling

We will also learn the basics of working on a film set including:

• Technical staging skills with monitors, cameras, lights and sound

• Ensemble performance with other puppeteers

At the end of this workshop, key talents will be invited to attend Workshop 2 →