In this full-day workshop, participants will learn how to incorporate various mechanisms and rigging points into paper pop-ups to turn them into animatable or puppeteer-able, hand-held (also known as: direct contact), and/or table-top puppets. Sarah will also demonstrate how to direct intention, concentration, and energy from within oneself, down the arms, into the hands, and through a paper puppet to give it its own independent focus and breath – the two elements that give any object life.

Finally, participants will present their projects to each other. For some, this will be a new challenge and like stepping outside their comfort zone; however, everyone should feel supported during this brave step so it feels both personally and creatively fulfilling, as well as productive. Each artist needs to gather information individually to continue developing their puppet pieces and to feel empowered outside the classroom.

Date: Saturday, March 28th 2026

Time: 9am - 4pm (with an hour lunch break; please bring your own lunch or available to purchase at the USM Cafeteria) 

Location: KCC’83CBA Book Arts Studio, Studio160, Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St. Portland ME 04103

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

Sarah Frechette is an award winning puppetry artist, teaching artist and stop-motion animation fabricator. As art director for PuppetKabob, she produces original programs, tours internationally and received the prestigious UNIMA-USA citation of excellence for her Vermont based solo show “The Snowflake Man”. Sarah is also a Vermont Arts Council Teaching Artist creating unique theater experiences for all ages. Sarah has been Guest Artist at the University of Connecticut, MECCA+D, Willamette University; and has led the Marionette Performance strand at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center National Puppetry Conference.

Questions?  Please contact Professor Annie Lee-Zimerle, Kate Cheney Chappell '83 Center for Book Arts Program Director: aemin.leezimerle@maine.edu