Are you a fan of the Muppets? Have you ever been curious to learn how puppets are built, or wanted to explore your creative side through puppetry? Join us for a workshop which will guide you through the process of designing and building your very own puppet pal to take home and perform with. Nobody is too old to get started in puppetry, as proven by Jim Henson who famously built and performed with puppets for years.

This 6 hour workshop for youth and adults will lead you in building a functional and unique hand-and-rod puppet, designed to match your vision using a variety of materials and a sewing machine. Assistance will be provided in using a sewing machine if students are not familiar.

During the last hour, Jon Morgan will cover the basic performance techniques you'll want to know when you're bringing your character to life.

This workshop will be held from 10 am-4 pm, Saturday, August 15, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant. A lunchtime break will be included for students to bring a lunch or purchase from a nearby eatery.

Recommended age: 12 and up (youth 12-16 may have an adult accompany them to assist)

Tonya Huber has been building puppets for 20 years. She has built puppets for storytellers and ventriloquists as well as worked on puppets for a kids math show. Some of her favorite puppet builds include her replica of Sweetums from the Muppet Show, Necco from “Positively Necco” and her Calvin and Hobbes puppets. She is extremely excited to bring and share her love of puppets with all of the participants.

Jon Morgan has been performing puppetry during the last five years , and is a member of both the West Michigan Puppetry Guild and the Detroit Puppeteers Guild. He also a co-founder of Mid Michigan Puppetry Club, and in December produced and performed as a member of the Pleasant Puppets troupe in a holiday puppetry show titled "A Christmas Mystery" which was hosted at the Shepherd Community Library. His puppetry videos can be found on Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.