Hands-On Puppetry in the North East: Spring Courses with Moving Parts Arts
Craft, community, and creativity — exciting opportunities for this April 2026
British UNIMA are thrilled to spotlight a brilliant set of upcoming courses from Moving Parts Arts, an award-winning organisation at the heart of puppetry and community creativity in the North East of England.
Founded in 2017, Moving Parts Arts has built a vibrant reputation for bringing people together through puppetry, festivals, and participatory events — engaging over 20,000 people each year. Their work is rooted in a powerful belief: that everyone can be creative, and that puppetry offers a unique, playful way to connect, collaborate, and tell stories.
This April, they’re offering a series of hands-on, small-group courses led by artist Gretchen Maynard-Hahn — each limited to just 15 participants, ensuring an intimate and supportive learning environment.
Featured Courses
🌟 Weatherproof Worbla Puppet Lantern Making
6–7 April 2026 | Ages 16+
£120 (materials included) | Paddy Freeman's Pavillion, Freeman Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2EY, UK
Design and build your own illuminated puppet lantern over two practical, hands-on days. Participants will sculpt a character head in clay before forming it in durable thermoplastic. Bodies will be constructed from ripstop fabric, with exploration of surface treatments to create rich textures and striking finishes. A simple wood and bamboo frame mechanism will give structure and movement, and battery-powered lights will bring each creation to life. The workshop focuses on accessible construction techniques suitable for outdoor use, and may culminate in a small celebratory parade where participants animate their glowing puppets together.
Carved Marionettes for Beginners
8–9 April 2026 | Ages 16+
£120 (materials included) | Paddy Freeman’s Pavillion, Freeman Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2EY, UK
This two-day workshop introduces participants to the charm and mechanics of Czech-style marionettes. Working from prepared lime wood blanks, attendees will learn safe, fundamental wood carving techniques using traditional hand tools. Guidance will cover shaping expressive forms, refining features, and assembling a simple but effective stringing system that allows for characterful movement. The focus is on craft and playful performance potential. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have created a small, fully functioning marionette with its own personality and a deeper understanding of traditional puppet-making methods.
🎬 Creature Clips: Stop-Motion Animation
10–11 April 2026 | Ages 11+
£95 (materials included) | Paddy Freeman’s Pavillion, Freeman Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2EY, UK
Over two dynamic days, participants will design and build simple animation puppets inspired by animals, monsters, or hybrid creatures. Using accessible materials and straightforward construction techniques, they will create characters designed specifically for stop-motion performance. On day two, the focus shifts to film making: learning the fundamentals of frame-by-frame animation and producing a short clip using their own smartphones and a pre-downloaded animation app. The workshop introduces storytelling, movement, and visual composition in a fun, supportive environment. Each participant will leave with a completed short animation and the skills to continue creating independently.
Whether you’re a puppeteer, maker, educator, or simply curious, these workshops offer a chance to deepen your practice and connect with others in the field.
🎟️ Also Coming Up…
Moving Parts Arts’ spring programme includes a rich mix of screenings, exhibitions, and community events — from The Dark Crystal and Muppet Treasure Island screenings to exhibitions like A Treasury of Tyneside Tales and filmmaker socials at Tyneside Cinema.
🔗 Book Now
Places are limited and expected to fill quickly.
👉 https://www.movingpartsarts.com/whatson
British UNIMA is proud to champion opportunities like these — supporting learning, connection, and the continued growth of puppetry across the UK and beyond.