Hey, I just wanted to announce that I was just awarded an artist grant to attend the Beyond the Sock Puppetry for Television and Film Workshop. I’m so excited to meet some excellent puppeteers and to acquire some new puppetry skills. It will be really refreshing to be around people with a love for puppets.

About Beyond the Sock Workshop

From their website:

Beyond the Sock is a workshop co-hosted by the University of North Texas Department of Radio, TV and Film and Department of Dance and Theatre. This four and a half day intensive workshop will allow attendees to learn techniques for performing with “hand and rod” style puppets similar to those found in some of entertainment’s most endearing television series and films. Over the course of the workshop attendees will learn the vocal and physical techniques vital to creating compelling performances from two of the top names in the field.

Attendees will also learn character development, design and construction methods by participating in hands-on puppet crafting sessions where they can conceptualize and build their own basic puppet for use during the workshop. There will also be practical application of the skills learned through a culminating studio performance on the final day of the workshop. DVDs of this performance will be available to attendees for a nominal fee.

Learn more on Beyond the Sock Workshop website.

So, I’ll be further refining my skills under the tutelage of some fantastic professional puppeteers including Peter Linz, Pasha Romanowski, and Noel MacNeal.  I’ll be sure to snap some pictures while I’m there and I’ll let you know how it goes.  Please donate here if you’d like to help with travel and food expenses https://www.gofundme.com/travel-and-lodging