Allowing children to explore their creativity.

Louise starts with a few short, sharp, witty puppet skits to show that puppets can certainly appeal across the age range from toddlers to adults. Puppets allow us to do things that we humans are just not capable of doing. They surprise us with the unexpected. They can endear us with the incredibly cute and cuddly and free us to be the character we are not.

Within the first 30 minutes Louise not just shows and explains the workings of the various puppets but shows them in action doing what they do best, entertain. There are so many different styles of puppets and Louise has a good number with her. She has Shadow puppets that are performed behind a screen. Marionette manipulated from above by the strings they are attached to. There are Rod puppets with their mouth operated by a trigger; Glove puppets who have the puppeteer's hand operating their mouth and Puppets who are slightly exaggerated human characters, complete from head to toe who walk among the audience.

While many of the puppets used have been made especially for this performance, Louise also brings with her puppets from the 1960's and 80's originally made and used in shows from the Marionette Theatre of Australia and Sydney Puppet Theatre. There are even a couple of traditional puppets from other cultures and all of this is just 'Puppet Watch' the first part of this experience. What follows is the 'Make and Manipulate' when everyone gets to make their own cardboard puppet with a very expressive articulated mouth. It's all designed to stimulate your children's creativity both in performing and design.

Louise Dodge has been working in theatre and film for close to 20 years as a puppeteer, performer, director and writer. She has toured extensively across Australia from Perth to Sydney and Far North Queensland to Tasmania. She has worked in casting for film and television and well as teaching acting for the screen.