A Creative Two-Hour Workshop for KS1 & 2 Pupils
Step behind the scenes of theatrical storytelling in Bigfoot’s Puppetry Masterclass, an imaginative and skill-based workshop designed to bring inanimate objects to life. Through teamwork, creativity and precision, students explore the fascinating world of puppetry, learning to animate movement, emotion and story with nothing more than breath, focus and collaboration.
Led by a professional Bigfoot facilitator, this two-hour session introduces participants to the three core principles of puppetry — breath, weight and focus, and shows how these can transform a simple object into a living, breathing character on stage. Students begin with physical and emotional warm-ups to heighten awareness of body language and expression, before experimenting with movement through playful ensemble games that build trust and coordination.
The workshop blends practical craft and performance as students design their own puppets from everyday materials such as brown paper and newspaper. In small teams, they explore the discipline of synchronised manipulation, working together to give their puppet life, intention and personality. By experimenting with rhythm, scale and storytelling, students discover how puppetry can open up imaginative new ways of presenting narrative — whether representing humans, animals or abstract ideas.
Through guided devising, performance and reflection, the session culminates in each group sharing a short animated sequence that demonstrates their creative process. Along the way, participants build essential theatre skills including concentration, teamwork, problem-solving and expressive physicality, while gaining an appreciation for the artistry and technical craft behind professional puppetry.
This Puppetry Masterclass encourages curiosity, discipline and play in equal measure, inspiring young performers to see theatre in a whole new light, where even the simplest piece of paper can tell a powerful story.
Perfect for enrichment days or fun ways to bring storytelling and theatre into the curriculum.
Each masterclass session is 2 hours in length and caters for a class group of 30 pupils.
