Patti Smithsonian - Theater

EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCES :: WORKSHOPS :: ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
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Artist in Residence
Patti Smithsonian, a performer, designer, and writer for the puppet theater, has performed her original work in the United States, Mexico, Europe and Canada. Her performances often combine puppets, masks, optical effects, dance, and acting. Patti has been given the UNIMA International Award for Excellence in Puppet Theatre, the 1991 Colorado Art Educator of the Year Award, and the Colorado Springs Living Treasure Award, among others. She has a B.A. in Performing Arts from the State University of New York at Brockport. Patti’s programs focus on engaging creativity, joy, and spontaneous imagination.

Educational Performances

Lights of the Puppet World
Nationally acclaimed puppeteer Patti Smithsonian jump-starts audience imaginations with this funny and educational program, featuring ancient shadow puppets from around the globe. The "Oh, Wow!" experience begins as audiences enter the room, transformed by a multi media extravaganza. Through simple animation techniques that you can replicate in the classroom, Patti Smithsonian brings folktales from many countries, dinosaurs and tales from Colorado history to life with movable cartoon characters projected ten feet high. You’ll never use an overhead project in the same way again!
Single Performance: $380
Double Performance: $570
Grade Levels: PreK-6

The Puppet Lady
The Puppet Lady is a one-woman walking puppet show and accordion band! A complete cast of puppets emerges from her hat, veil, sleeves and skirt to perform in this highly imaginative presentation that demonstrates the amazing things puppets can do. This program has been featured at puppet festivals in New York City, San Francisco and Canadian stages.
Single Performance: $380
Double Performance: $570
Grade Levels: K-6

The Further Adventures of Mr. Softy Puppet Sho
Where does the Moon go during the daytime? Are there alligators under the bed? Do talking fishes really grant wishes? It’s up to Mr. Softy to find out. This brave little bunny will travel to uncharted territories in search of these answers. Fully animated miniature puppets and toys act out many episodes of Mr. Softy with the addition of a dancing cow and musical accompaniment on toy piano. Parts of the show challenge the normal limits of audience participation!
Single Performance: $510
Double Performance: $700
Grade Levels: K-6

Coyote's Eyeball and Other Fantastic Stories of the Constellations
What do Bigfoot, magical flying horses, sea monsters, jealous stars, and some people with bad breath all have in common? They are all characters in Worldwide constellation myths. Learn more about the night skies and myths of Native American culture, China and Ancient Greece, to name a few.
Single Performance: $380
Double Performance: $570
Grade Levels K-6

Single Workshop Experience

Easy Animation for the Overhead Projector
Revolutionize the use of the overhead projector in your classroom! Students and teachers will learn how to animate figures and make special effects for the overhead projector. Besides making their own puppets and scenery, students will create story ideas, and then participate in acting exercises to bring the puppet to life. This is a 60-90 minute workshop.
Fee: $145
Grade Levels: K-6

Making Puppets Come Alive
Students learn, not only how to make quick and easy puppets, but how to animate them through a range of expressions and voices. Using storyboards, we can create puppet shows for any classroom subject.
Fee: $145
Grade Levels: K-1