Virtual Shows for Schools and Groups
Bring a live puppetry performance to your classroom, theater, playgroup, or after school program with our new “virtual” touring shows! We offer a variety of performances, created and performed by professional puppeteers, that are suitable for many different ages, curriculum levels, and events.
Shows last 35-45 minutes and can be followed by Q&A. We stream live from Puppet Showplace Theater over Zoom, or via your digital platform of choice. We can connect to your class’s account, or we can provide hosting from our own. Virtual shows cost between $475-$675. A minimum $100 deposit is required to hold the booking date, and payment in full is due by the day of the performance.
Choose from the following productions:
Judy Saves the Day - Cheer for our hand puppet heroine as she learns to stand up for herself in this modern twist on a classic show.
Sock Monkey Circus - This lively marionette circus combines puppetry, magic, and clowning for lots of laughs!
Magnificent Monster Circus - Meet amazing monsters with astonishing talents, as kids learn about caring for creatures and being brave.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin - Kids teach grownups a lesson about fairness in this colorful, comedic show featuring multiple puppetry styles.
The Bremen Town Musicians - Farm animals become world famous musicians in this shadow puppet adaptation of the classic folktale.
Word Play! - The ABCs are the stars of this alphabet-inspired show, featuring two friendly puppeteers and live music! This performance is also available as a recording.
To schedule a virtual show, please contact the Puppet Showplace Box Office by filling out the form at the bottom of the page. Please include the age/grade level of students, the number of viewers (students and teachers) who would attend, your preferred show title(s), preferred dates & times, the broadcasting platform that will be used, and contact information for the day-of point-person. We’ll finalize the details and provide you a Zoom link if needed. Payment in full is due before the scheduled show time.
Please allow at least two weeks booking time before the start of your event. Thank you in advance for your patience as our team members are working remotely during this time!
Frequently asked questions:
Q: Is this a live show?
A: Yes! Professional puppeteers perform shows live from our theater in Brookline Village or from Gateway Studios in Western Mass.
Q: Is the show interactive and participatory?
A: In all of our shows, puppet characters actively engage with the audience and invite participation (cheering, laughing, making suggestions etc.) Over Zoom, we typically suggest that audience members remain muted so that the sound of the performance is not interrupted, and that the “chat” function remains off so it does not distract from the show. After the show, we welcome questions, and at that time performers can speak directly to the students. If you would prefer an experience where the performer is watching and directly interacting with individual audience members the entire time, we can suggest our virtual birthday party programs, adapted for a classroom setting.
Q: Is there a limit to how many people can watch?
A: Yes. Depending on your Zoom account, there may be a limit to the number of “screens” that can attend the same meeting. If you use our account, we can host up to 99 participants in “meeting” format (where everyone is visible), or up to 999 in webinar format (where only the performer and a “co-host” teacher are visible).
Q: Is it possible to have the live show recorded and available to watch for a short time afterward?
A: Due to restrictions on distributing our performers’ intellectual property, we are not able to offer recordings of live performances at this time.
Q: Are virtual workshops available?
A: We are currently piloting “virtual visits,” where professional puppeteers share examples of their work, introduce kids to puppet characters, demonstrate techniques for puppet animation, and give ideas for puppetry projects to try at home. Virtual visits are $200/session (up to an hour). We can also provide 1-on-1 or small group teacher training at the same rate. If you’re interested, or if you have other ideas for workshops or residencies, please get in touch!
Interested in booking a virtual performance?
Please fill out this form!
