Puppetry Workshops
https://www.milissaorzolek.com/
ensemble movement workshop led by
abandoned ships
Saturday, April 11th from 11am-2pm
at New Marigny Theatre 2301 Marais Street
In this workshop, we will explore the idea of movement with and within a group. We will learn the explore the difference between leading and following and try to discover a balance between the two. Emphasis will be placed on games and improvisation. We will end the workshop by creating short scenes with three-person brown paper puppets.
3 hours Ages 14 and up
Advanced tickets required as space is limited to 12 and the workshop requires a minimum of 6 participants.
Participants will receive a confirmation email 24 hours in advance.
abandoned ships
Milissa Orzolek, aka abandoned ships, creates projects large and small that explore ideas of belonging, care and coexistence. As a writer, director, human geographer, teaching artist, builder, clown, paper artist, printmaker and performer, she fell into the world of puppetry in 2010 through a production of Fantastic Mr. Fox in New Orleans. She has worked on large-scale puppets for Wayne White and Cirque Du Soleil and puppeteered in Dreaming (2019, 2021) by Torry Bend and Weight of Air (2020) and Under the Snow (2023) by Detroit Puppet Company. As abandoned ships, she has created and performed her own work in cities across the country including La MaMa Puppet Slam (2018, 2021) in New York, Radicackalacky Puppet Convergence (2019) in North Carolina, the Detroit Puppet Slam (2022) and the New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival (2023, 2024). In 2023, she was an Emerging Artist at the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and an Artist-in-Residence at the Lìzé Puppet Art Colony in Taiwan. In 2024, abandoned ships received a MAP Fund Grant to support the development of "how to read a storm".
Found Object (Trash) Puppetry Workshop
Hosted by Playdoh Productions
Sun, April 12th 215-430p
at Architect Alley // 51 Architect Street
Tickets available today.
Explore the possibilities of bringing new life to discarded objects. How would they move through the world? How can we assemble them in ways that create exciting and spontaneous connections?
Bring your own discarded objects or choose from our stash of supplies. We will make and play with puppets with various structured exercises so you will come away with a some directions for a short show or puppet character.
2.25 hours - please come on time!
Ages 10 and Up (under 18 must be with adult)
Advanced registration highly recommended as space is limited.
No experience necessary.
playdoh puppet productions
Playdoh Kolo scavenges for objects that tell stories.
A writer, director, producer, teaching artist, and performer, Playdoh began puppeteering professionally in 2013 with “Facebook: The Musical” which ended at a auto repair shop on the side of the PA turnpike in February, while they used their sock puppets as gloves to keep warm.
They have worked on large scale works with Barebones Puppet Extravaganza, Detroit Puppet Company, Sally Babys Silver Dollars, We Wiggle Dolls, Cookie Tongue, String & Shadow, Habitat Recovery Project, and Bread & Puppet. Playdoh has toured the country with 3 original puppet shows and performed at The National Puppetry Conference, The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Detroit Cantestoria Festival, New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival, Puppet Showplace Theatre, Open Eye Figure Theatre, Heart of the Beast Theatre, Black Cherry Puppet Theatre, Mudlark Public Theatre, That Puppet Palooza (Puppeteers of America Regional), and more.
In 2025, playdoh puppet productions received a New Orleans Culture and Tourism Grant and the Awesome Foundation On the Water Grant to develop “RIPERION: Piano Creatures”. In 2026, they received a Puppet Slam Network Grant. This Spring, their shadow puppet music video Mother Mary for Sally Babys Silver Dollars is an official selection of the Boston Independent Film Festival, the Philidelphia Independent Film Festival, and the New Orleans Overlook Film Festival. Playdoh is a coordinator of the New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival.
PUNCTUATE THE MOMENT a workshop in sound, light and movement in object performance work
Hosted by Happy Accident
Monday, April 13th from 3 to 6PM
at New Marigny Theatre
2301 Marais Street
In this 3-hour workshop, liz HOWLS and Drew Simpson (Happy Accident) bring you into their thoughtful and curious creative process. The class explores the intersection and interdependence of sound, light and movement–essentials for creating a symbolic vocabulary that connects with audiences on a visceral level.
The workshop starts with an overview of the creative process, followed by several short video clips and a live demonstration. During the second half, students break into small groups and create their own short pieces. The class culminates with presentation of each piece.
Liz Howls and Drew Simpson (Happy Accident) crack open their playful, curious process.
What makes an object steal the scene? How do you sharpen focus, land a moment, or surprise an audience?
Through hands-on experiments, participants will layer movement, sound, and light to transform object theatre—proving that small shifts can make big magic.
Cost is $35/ea for 3 hr workshop // Max number of participants: 24 per workshop
Some materials are provided but participants are encouraged to bring objects or simple instruments if they so desire.
Drama of Works Shadow Puppet Workshop
Saturday, April 11th from 12 to 2PM at Den of Muses
Shadow Puppetry Basics: We will help participants with all aspects of shadow theater, including screen material, lighting, and simple puppet making. You could be working on a show, wanting to incorporate puppetry into your teaching, just wanting to enhance what you already know, or be a complete novice to the form—either way, we've got you! Learn some of the techniques we use in our shows "Grand Guignol," "Sleepy Hollow," "Blood Red Roses" and more!
An Exploration in Marionettes with Madison J. Cripps
Sunday, April 12th from 2:30 to 4PM
at New Marigny Theatre // 2301 Marais Street
This engaging workshop offers a two-part journey into the art of marionettes. We’ll start with an introduction to string puppets, exploring the anatomy and mechanics of marionettes. You’ll learn how each element, from parts to tension, contributes to the puppet’s unique movement style, and then dive into crafting your own simple marionette.
Next, experience a hands-on “show and tell” session with exercises designed to get both mind and body in motion—no “just hanging around” here! Embrace the challenge: learn a few key knots, attach strings to materials, and experiment as you go. Discover the expressive potential and movement vocabulary of your creation, sharing insights with the group to expand your understanding of marionette dynamics.
Step into a world of play: explore professional-grade marionettes and see firsthand how design choices influence movement. Through experimentation, discover the fascinating interplay of gravity, momentum, and mechanisms like trick strings and hinges that bring marionettes to life.
Disclaimer: Expect some truly groan-worthy puns along the way.