Storytelling with Shadow Puppets in Schools

Cockington Primary School, at Torquay in Devon, celebrated this Diwali as part of their project exploring ‘stories that stand the test of time’. The engrossed year 4 students created fabulous shadow puppets, to tell the traditional Hindu story of Rama and Sita, in their own words and images.

Their teacher, Leah Fraser, said that everyone enjoyed the “Wow factor” of my introductory demonstration and that this school workshop was very effective as a project hook, because it was “an interactive, exciting opportunity for the children.”

This picture is of the wicked, multi-headed monster Ravana, who tricks, then kidnaps the goddess Sita, for himself, although she is already married to Rama. (Who of course then rescues her, with the help of an army of monkeys.) I love how the faces show Ravana’s conflicting personalities and we see his cold and glowing broken heart.

Properties of Light in Schools

These year 6 students, at Brixington Primary Academy Devon, explored light and shadow, as part of their science and art curricula. They saw how using different light sources and colours, varying the distances and materials that create the shadows, can be used to artistic effect, for making their own puppets and performances.

Luke Pattison, their teacher said “They [the workshops] were perfect in allowing children to explore different materials”

It was a joy to be amongst so many happy faces, sharing my passion for shadow puppetry again in this first workshop since the pandemic.

Climate Change Workshop

The families who came to our “What’s 1 Degree to Me?” workshop at Dartington in March, were passionate about climate change…. and very inventive.

We started with a discussion, an exchange of ideas and clarification of facts from our climate specialist Harry Jennings. This was followed by frenzied activity from the 3 teams: sketching storyboards, cutting out puppets, experimenting with different materials and images, then rehearsing their scenes.

The finale was performing 3 humorous, thought provoking, scenes covering different aspects of climate change, to each other and a small enthralled audience. (Video to follow when edited)

One participant, Liz Sheldon described it as “A wonderfully creative day, but with great learning opportunity, and for the seriousness of the ‘messages’ to be felt deep down/in the heart.”

You’ll be surprised at what this tree can do!

Light and Shadow school project

A sea of excited faces greeted me at St. Michael’s Primary School, Kingsteignton, South Devon, in February, for our shadow puppetry workshop exploring the qualities of light and shadow. The year 3 children investigated the interaction of light with colours and textures, along with how to design and perform silhouette art.

I was amazed at how empathic the 7-8 year olds were, able to communicate and recognise emotions solely by the movements of each others’ simple, non-articulated puppets!

It was a pleasure to share the magic of shadow play with such an attentive group, who all created and performed their own shadow puppets by the end of the day.

Flower Fox by a year 3 student

Shadows and Soil - Community Art

Tess Wilmot from “Growing Community Abundance” invited us to deliver Light Bulb Fantastic’s “Our Soil is Alive” shadow puppet activity for adults and children who make their own soil in the city, just from neighbours’ kitchen waste!

This is what Tess had to say after the workshop….

“Light Bulb Fantastic came to Food Plymouth’s Growing Community Abundance celebration event on 22nd February 2020 and made the event magical! People of all ages and interests worked together and enjoyed the conversations about the soil and the amazing creatures that live in it. Highly recommended the creativity that comes from making shadow puppets together.”

At the end of the day we were treated to a shared supper of the delicious home produce grown from the community’s own soil! Yummy!

Shadow Puppets for Schools

When Ian Crowford from Plymouth Academy of Creative Arts asked me to deliver a workshop for his year 5 students that would “push their expectations and provide an insight into what ‘Great’ looked like” I was delighted to oblige.

The 9 to 10 year olds had previously created basic shadow puppets and now wanted inspiration to develop their skills for a special shadow puppet show to be part of the 2020 Mayflower celebrations in Plymouth.

I felt such a buzz from the kids, sharing our excitement about the creative process, as we explored design, articulation, lighting and performance skills. The class teacher, Ian, said that he learnt from “The professionalism of the show and the mechanics needed to build it from scratch!” and enjoyed “Seeing how ALL the children engaged with it!”

Next year the school want to book 2 days instead of 1, Ian describing the workshop as “Wonderful, an absolute must if you’re creating your own show!”

This lighting effect from my demo was a “wow!” with the children

"What's 1 Degree to Me?"

Adults and children will explore the causes of climate change, its effects and what we can do about it, in a
fun, informative, creative, self-expressive, shadow puppetry workshop.

We will address common questions and explore misconceptions that participants may have.  Small teams will then create their own shadow puppets and scenes, focussing on their chosen aspect of global warming.

Space kindly donated by Meadowbrook Community Centre, who are opening a brand new artisan pizza restaurant on site in time for the workshop!

Only 20 places available so book soon, via the contacts page or by calling Kate on 07977 777 869.

This workshop is also available to book for your events.

"Our Soil is Alive" in Plymouth

Come along to a free, drop-in shadow puppet workshop discovering the wonderful creatures that live in a healthy soil and how they are affected by the activities of humans above them! Make your own puppets of such amazing characters as tardigrades, springtails and rotifers. For the finale you are welcome join in with a short performance at the end!

Climate Change Awareness Film

Following on from our workshop in August, Light Bulb Fantastic has been inspired to make a short, gentle, thought provoking film addressing some of the common questions that we have about climate change. Currently we are recording the voices of a variety of people, from environmental experts to some of the young people whose future is in peril. These words will form the backbone of the narration. Adding shadow puppetry, we are looking at new ways to visualise the changes that we cannot see in the world around us.

The more I learn about climate change, the more complex I realise it is, so this film will focus on exploring the evidence that global warming is caused by human activity, discuss popular misconceptions and explain why we need to take action now. What that action needs to be, would have to be covered in another film. It is included in our shadow puppetry workshop.

Creative Climate Awareness Workshop

Researching for this workshop I am focusing on understanding the science behind the climate change headlines. I am designing the workshop so that participants can engage at a deeper level, using shadow puppetry to devise visual representations of the problems that we face globally.

The second part of the workshop will be facilitated by Tiffany Strawson of Totnes Young Peoples’ Theatre, who will use live action theatre to explore the personal effects of climate change and what we, as individuals can do about it.

Greek heros and monsters come alive

This week Light Bulb Fantastic helped year 3 and 4 children at Landscore Primary School, at Crediton, in Devon to bring their Greek myths alive. The students had written their own tales of what Heracles 13th task might have been.

Teacher Mei-Lin Houston said that the best part was “Being able to make their stories into real performances” and “their monsters into puppets”.

Students explored different skills. One child who struggles with written work in class, narrated a whole scene, from memory, described in a rich language that his teachers did not know he had.

The classroom was buzzing with excitement. I agree with teaching assistant, Karen Kirby, who said that the best part was “Their proud little faces when they put on their shows”

Wood Fair

Create your own woodland animal or animated tree with Light Bulb Fantastic at Sustainable South Brent's Wood Fair.  This shadow puppet workshop will be from 12.30 to 1.30pm, on Saturday 9th September, at the village hall in South Brent, Devon.  Upstairs but there is a lift. Entry is free and there will be lots of other tree related activities and displays.

"Our Soil is Alive" workshop

27 participants of all ages enjoyed our workshop for Sustainable South Brent. Conversations were sparked off about the importance of the precious life in healthy soil, while tardigrades, termites and rotifers magically appeared before us.

"Our Soil is Alive"

This Saturday 3-6pm, we're running a free shadow puppet workshop "Our Soil is Alive", exploring the fascinating creatures that live in healthy soil and seeing how they are affected by our activities above it.

The workshop is part of Sustainable South Brent's 10 years party, with displays, refreshments, story telling, live music and DJ. From 3-11pm in the Village Hall at South Brent, Devon. The village hall is on the other side of the railway line from the main car park.

All ages are welcome, but under 11s need an adult to remain at the hall. It's all free.

www.sustainablesouthbrent.org.uk for details.

Fractions and Percentage Puppet Workshop

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June 4, 2016

Adults and children alike enjoyed the shadow puppets and maths workshop.

"A creative and interactive way to learn maths. I furthered my knowledge of fractions. I also think shadow puppet workshops could be a great way to develop social/communication skills and perform comic strip stories"

Adult participant, Heather.

"Exploring Maths with Shadow Puppets"

A Light Bulb Fantastic workshop Sunday 22nd May 2016, 2-4pm. For 8 year olds upwards including adults. We will create shadow puppets, who will explore the relationships between fractions and percentage.  The workshops will culminate in a short performance for friends and family. No knowledge of fractions or percentage are necessary.

Now fully booked.

Fractions fun!