PUPPETRY: THE ILLUSION OF THOUGHT

Instructor:  Mike Petersen

Dates:  Tuesday September 28th, Wednesday September 29th

Time:  10:00AM – 1:00PM

Participants: 15

Puppetry is all about creating the illusion of life. We are animators. Our puppets live, breathe, and communicate thanks to us.

Mike Petersen will give you the basics, and then beyond, until you are fully channeling your instincts for character and showmanship directly into your hands.

About Mike Petersen

Mike’s career began on Fraggle Rock in 1984. He has since performed around the world with such companies as Mermaid Theatre, Neptune Theatre, Kaleidoscope, the Edinburgh Puppet Company, Poland’s Teatr Arlekin, and Theatre Beyond Words. Film and television credits include Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth,Emily of New Moon, The Mighty Jungle, Toopy & Binoo Vroom Vroom Zoom, and the Emmy nominated pre-school series Miss Persona. Mike created As You Puppet for Young People’s Theatre, and he frequently teaches the performers at TAP: Teaching Awareness Though Puppetry – a charity organization that uses puppetry to promote kindness. He is also a proud member of the Dora Award nominated ensemble performing in Old Man and the River, with Theatre Direct. As a puppetry consultant Mike has worked alongside Graham Whitehead at Mermaid Theatre, Allen MacInnis at YPT, Lynda Hill at Theatre Direct, Seanna Kennedy and Bruce Dow at Lower Ossington Theatre, and Christine Brubacher, director of Wilde Tales for Shaw Festival. Most recently, Mike directed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show for Joseph Patrick Presents.