Unlock Your Creative Potential and Join Us for an Extraordinary Masterclass in Giant Puppetry!
Have you ever wanted to bring larger-than-life characters to the streets? Here’s your chance! This unique, hands-on masterclass, running alongside preparations for the Hebden Bridge Summer Parade, offers a rare opportunity to dive into the world of giant puppet-making with expert guidance from Andrew Kim of Thingumajig Theatre (@thingumatheatre).
Over the course of this eleven-day workshop, you’ll gain the skills and techniques needed to design and create stunning, processional giant puppets. Whether you’re an artist or a puppet maker, you’ll work alongside fellow creatives to build two different types of giant puppets—covering everything from design and mechanics to sculpture, papier-mâché, Worbla (thermoplastic), foam, painting, costume making, and performance.
This is NOT a lantern-making workshop—these are daytime puppets, made to dazzle and captivate in the light of day.
Location: Handmade Productions, Unit 5 Victoria Works, Victoria Road Hebden Bridge, HX7 8LN
Date: 11-22 June (day off on 16 June, parade on 22 June)
Cost: £650
What You’ll Get:
- Hands-On Learning: Craft giant puppets from scratch, learning everything you need to know to create large-scale outdoor art pieces.
- Expert Instruction: Receive guidance from Andrew Kim, a leading figure in outdoor performance and puppetry.
- Collaborative Experience: Work alongside a community of like-minded artists in a creative environment.
- Exclusive Access: Visit the Handmade Productions workshop, meet other puppet makers, and see artworks and community parade preparations up close.
Classes run from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM with an hour-long lunch break (except on event day). And on Sunday, June 22, the giant puppets you’ve crafted will make their grand debut at the Hebden Bridge Summer Parade—a thrilling opportunity to showcase your work!
Additional Information:
- Participants should have some experience as a maker for theatre, outdoor arts or carnival. All participants must be able to commit to the entire workshop period.
- Accommodation: While accommodation is not provided, we can recommend great places to stay, including the IOU hostel and several homestays in Hebden Bridge. The workshop is a 20 minute walk from the Hebden Bridge train station which is on the line between Leeds, Bradford and Manchester.
- Scholarships: We are offering two half-price scholarships for Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority artists based in the UK, as we’re committed to increasing diversity in outdoor arts; please signify in your application if you would like to be considered for this.
- Booking & Payment: To secure your spot, we need a minimum of 8 participants. Once confirmed, full payment is required within a month.
This is your chance to immerse yourself in the magic of outdoor puppetry and join a passionate community of artists. For more information and to book your place, email hello@handmadeproductions.org.uk .
