The Cartoon Puppet

Create a unique, individualized puppet character under the tutelage of David Pannabecker. The puppet kit will be pre-sewn and you will assemble your puppet character in class.

HIS Heart

June will teach you how to build a quality foam-based heart puppet using high quality foam. This puppet is durable enough for everyday use and has all the colors of the "wordless book" object lesson. In this class you will learn how to: correctly cut foam patterns; correctly and precisely glue foam together; and finish a puppet mouth cleanly and professionally.

Blacklight Gooney Puppet

In this class you will build a 13" Gooney puppet. Gooney's can run, jump, swim, fly and sing and are eager to be a part of your next blacklight performance.

Experimental Puppetry

Experimental Puppetry is a hands-on workshop designed to guide you through the process of discovery and experimentation. This year the class will be directed by Dave Privett. Class members will begin by making masks and then move to the experimentation part of the session! You won't want to miss this opportunity to be stretched by Dave in this creative environment. Anyone is welcome to observe the session however, only the first 20 who sign up may participate. Participants will perform on Friday afternoon. There will be a Q and A or discussion session following their presentation.

The Singing Piano Proppet

It's a prop...it's a puppet....it's a proppet! This great piano is useful for any gospel band number and if needed it can turn, face the audience and sing along! This little beauty is fluorescent and while you are building the piano you will also be learning valuable techniques for working with foam rubber!

The Sun Puppet (and Variations)

Get practice constructing puppets made of foam. This class will start with basic training in cutting and gluing polyfoam. Then you will create a puppet based on the sun pattern. This versatile pattern can be altered to make almost any object.

Puppetry 101:

Start the week right with a crash course in puppet technique and choreography. This class is designed for beginning and intermediate puppeteers who want to get their "head in the game" for I-Fest 2010! Additional attendees are allowed to observe this class session.

Dowel Rods: "Because You Are"

This is a beautiful song by Point of Grace that is illustrated with dowel rods and shadow puppetry and drama. It takes four people for the dowel rod part and then other puppeteers for the shadow puppetry and the out front drama.

In Pursuit of Jesus: Stepping Off the Beaten Path

Who do you say Jesus is: Join this group as we explore who He is...because you're fascinated by Him and drawn to Him. Participants will acquire new abilities to articulate why they follow Jesus. Sessions will use creative experiences, art, intriguing discussion questions, video, music and more. Come ready to participate and stir your desire to know Him in more intimate ways.

Pathways of Purity

Pathways of Purity will get you up on your feet, out of the classroom and off on a discovery of the many blessings God has waiting for you as you live a pure life for Him. Join our teams as we criss-cross the campus in a GPS scavenger hunt for hidden caches that reveal God's answers to Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man live a pure life? By living according to your word." Wear your walkin' shoes, bring your Bible and a pen and get ready to understand what it means to face the dangers of temptation, and what it takes to guard one's heart from all that is impure.

Open Lip Synch Challenge

Lip Synch Challenge is an opportunity for puppeteers to try their skills at lip synching difficult songs they may have never heard before. An elimination process will determine the "lip synch stars" of I-Fest. The number of participants is limited, but anyone can watch and enjoy the fun. Only one person per team please. If you enter this Open Lip Synch Challenge, you will cannot participate in the International Finals: Lip Synch Challenge later in the week.

One Way Street People Puppet Pattern

Learn techniques and tricks used to build great looking puppets as well as customizing tricks. You will learn how to add different features that will take your puppet to the next level. Intermediate experience with sewing machine required and it is imperative you know how to operate the sewing machine you bring.

Project Runway

Each person in the class will design their own clothing for a people puppet they have brought for a particular performance of their choice. They will be judged by 3 judges at the end of the two hour class for originality, technique, performance capability, and best illustration of performance. The winner will be announced at chapel the next morning after all come down the runway and the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate from Son Shine Puppet Company.

Gift to Cross

This simply wrapped gift opens up quickly to become a cross. It's simple to put together, somewhat simple to manipulate and completely effective in spreading the message of God's Gift of Jesus Christ. What a great addition to your puppet closet.

Moon or Star Foam Puppet

This class will be a cellestrial event of making a foam moving mouth star or moon. All pieces are pre-painted, pattern included!

The Full Body Versatile Proppet

You will find this Versatile Proppet Head, with a removable five foot body, very useful! It is compact for storage and adaptable to any type of character you'd like to create. We will use inexpensive readily available materials making this Full Body Proppet one you can easily duplicate at home!

The Big Lip Fish

Once again Bram has come up with a winner with the Big Lip Fish. It is bright and colorful and you will definitely find many ways to use this character. The BLF would look great in any aquarium. You will learn a number of puppet making techniques in this class.

Basic Ventriloquism, Parts 1, 2 & 3

This three part class is for anyone who wants to learn the art of ventriloquism from the beginning, or brush up on the basics. You will experiment with character voices, practice convincing puppet manipulation, and learn good lip control of the difficult letters as well as have an opportunity to do a short performance in class.

Director Mentoring - Puppetry

The Director Mentoring sessions are 30-minute, one-on-one counseling or question/answer sessions allowing you as a puppet team director to have individual, private time with an experienced puppet team director. You can ask all your questions, share your frustrations, or brainstorm solutions to your leadership problems. The session will end with a time of prayer.

Private Coaching - Ventriloquism

Here is your chance to get some tips and coaching from an experienced ventriloquist, and spend time polishing your own vent performance skills. You may choose your ventriloquist coach on a first come, first served basis, so get your reservation in early for your private coaching session.

Private Coaching - Puppetry

Here is your chance to receive some tips and individual coaching from an experienced puppeteer/director. Spend 30 minutes polishing your performance skills, character development, and/or subtle believability techniques. Choose your coach on a first come, first served basis. Come prepared to get the most of your coaching session!

Extreme Team Challenge: Puppet Construction Mystery

You and your teammates must make an original puppet in 12 hours or less. The catch? A specific style of puppet must be made from "mystery ingredients" which will only be revealed when the challenge starts! The team leader must be present to check in and pick up the supplies following chapel Wednesday (at the back of Chalfant). At this time you will receive instructions and rules as well as schedule the return of your completed project at the I-Fest Office (upstairs Ludwig).

Iron Arm Challenge

Puppeteers, start your x-axis! Fight for your life as puppets lip synch nonstop songs in an attempt to find out who can endure the longest and still be demonstrating proper lip synch. Spectators welcome! No current dream team members allowed.

Shadow Puppetry

Even if there isn't an artistic bone in your body, you too can design and construct your own shadow puppets. In this class, attendees will learn the basics of shadow puppet design, how to create moving parts for your puppets, and be able to construct a shadow puppet of their own.

Ant Puppet

If you need an army of ants we have just the right class for you. Brett will show you how to construct a very realistic rod operated ant puppet from materials that can be found at your local craft store.

The Making of the Song "Virtuoso"

This song was done by POWER CO in their last show performed at I-Fest. It is a blacklight song about creation with some unusual props. Christy will show you how the props are made and then teach you the song so you can perform it with your team. This is a learn by doing workshop: you will learn how to stage, where to move and how to help each other so there is flow.

Making a Scene

It is your turn to make a scene. Scenery is the puppet's environment. It is where the puppet is at. It's time to give your puppets a place in their world. With a few strokes of a paint brush even beginners can transport their audience anywhere you want to take them. Class members will work together as a team to complete 2 six foot scenes which will be displayed in a public area of the conference. Class members will learn how to draw scenery onto fabric using an overhead projector and simple line drawings on transparencies. They will also learn how to paint the scenes using flat latex paint. Instruction will include; scenery tips, selecting scenes, drawing scenes, painting and mounting the scenery onto a puppet stage. Participants will also receive a 6-foot panel of blank fabric to take home to complete a scene on their own.

Suds the Soda

Come wet your appetite as we make a soda puppet that will add variety to your 50s numbers or soda shoppe. Pieces will be pre-painted so you take home a finished puppet. You may use this fun puppet under blacklight or without.

The Basics of the Art of Face Painting

Learn the techniques of face painting and what product to use from one who has trained with the best. The class will teach you how to make simple designs and you will leave with the tools and skills to make your own faces. You will also leave with handouts, and your own kit of paints and brushes.

Jukebox Joe

This "prop-it" is a must for those 50's numbers. It can start out as a prop or set piece, then suddenly become part of the action! The puppet has a moving mouth and light-up front panel. All pieces will be pre-cut and pre-painted. We'll assemble "Joe" in class. "Jukebox Joe" is always a hit.

Props Galore for "This Little Light of Mine"

Class members will learn how to create a hinged wing flying butterfly, a monochome to full color changing flower prop and a simple flying bumble bee. The butterfly and color changing flower will be created in miniature to make transportation home in a suitcase possible. Materials will be inexpensive and readily available at most hobby or home repair stores.

The Happy Hatters

Hats identify the character. From playing dress-up as kids, we've learned the importance of hats to create the character of our imagination. What if the hat was the character? Choose a hat, any hat; add a blank puppet head with moving mouth (that you just made) shoved deep into the hat. Add some big eyeballs creatively placed on the front of the hat and a few embellishments and you've created a "Happy Hatter." In no time your "Happy Hatter" will be narrating stories, singing songs, and carrying the dialogue in a must-see skit. These easy to manipulate puppets will deliver the message. Price includes all supplies needed to complete two "Happy Hatters" (one in class and one at home).

Multiple Moving Mouth Puppets

Did you ever need five loaves of bread to sing but only have two hands?? In this hands-on class you will construct a moving mouth prop that will delight and surprise your audience. There are many designs available to choose from.

Add-a-Face Trigger Puppet

Do you need a specific "look" or want to "include" someone special in your next presentation? We will use the One Way Street Rod Flower pattern as a foundation to create the "Add-a-Face" Trigger Puppet. After modifications you will have a puppet that can instantly become anyone by simply adding a picture of their face.

Sketchboarding

Sketchboard is a great tool for attention getting both on the street and in church settings. Paul will demonstrate and teach simple drawings and lettering in a way that allows even the non-artist to master this tool.

Learning to Sing Rounds with Your Vent Pal

Do you and your pal sing together? Then why not learn to sing rounds? Singing rounds on stage can not only entertain and give a message, it can make you stand out. Imagine the surprised look when you're able to perform this technical feat! This takes real effort and practice to learn but the rewards are well worth it. It's always up to you to take the "how to" home with you and practice until the new skill becomes smooth and natural. Judy will demonstrate how to have lots of fun with rounds, like going so fast, you get your voices mixed up, …or singing a round with three voices. Participants must have mastered lip sync, separate character voices, manipulation, stage presence and sing with their vent partner in performances.

International Finals: Lip Synch Challenge

US residents: First, Second, or Third place at a One Way Street Regional Festival during the fall of 2008 or 2009, or the spring of 2009 or 2010.

International Guests: None.

Supplies Needed: Moving mouth rod-arm or human-arm puppet, rods, kneeling pads (optional)

Lip Synch Challenge is an opportunity for puppeteers to try their skills at lip synching difficult songs they may have never heard before. An elimination process will determine the "lip synch stars" of I-Fest. The number of participants is limited, but anyone can watch and enjoy the fun. One person per team please. If you enter this International Lip Synch Challenge, you cannot participate in the Open Lip Synch Challenge earlier in the week.

Throwing Up Gracefully

If you have ever wanted to learn to juggle, this is the place for you. Learn to throw three balls up, and catch them all gracefully in this fully hands on and encouraging class! Quick 4 ball and 5 ball lessons will be included, along with routines for sharing your faith, and biblical lessons through juggling. Darren Collins has taught thousands of people to juggle all over the world, and claims that no less than 75% of his attendees will be juggling before the end of the class period! Give it a try!

Scriptwriting Lab

Writing puppet scripts can be a challenge, but the best way to learn how to write scripts is to just sit down and do it. We will discuss a few tips and tricks for scriptwriting before putting these techniques to work writing some simple scripts. No previous scriptwriting experience is necessary. Attendees may want to bring a laptop computer with a word processing program.

Conveyor Belt Prop

For lack of a better description, I'm calling this the conveyor belt; because that's what it does. By moving strips of laminated paper around tracks made of gator foam, the prop changes from a chaos to whatever message you choose.

Blacklight Pop-Up Book

Children's Pop-Up Books can be a great source of prop making ideas. In this class we will apply the principles from pop-up books to make a book that can be used in blacklight or regular light. The art work is the story of Noah and the Ark.

Talking Props

In this class you will be installing a moving mouth, eyes, etc. on a two dimensional prop board for use with a puppet presentation or as a talking visual aid in front of a class. Each person will make either a Talking Smiley/ Sad Face, or a Talking Fur Tree. A Talking Scenery book will be provided to each person as well with instructions and patterns for making other talking props and scenery.

Human Video: "I Will Run"

Learn the dramatic movements of this original and innovative choreography. Unfolding to the soundtrack of "I Will Run" by Misty Edwards, this human video depicts two stories in parallel: the Christ's story and a modern day young adult. Powerful episodes of the Christ's life are acted out live behind a shadow screen. Woven in between the episodes are live action depictions of the struggles of a modern day follower. The "blended" stories bring home the powerful and relevant message of the Christ's sacrifice, God's mercy, and our deliverance and freedom from sin. This class is equally helpful for both serious actors and those who have never acted.

The Plump Pumpkin Puppet

Get ready for harvest time! This pumpkin will add a festive flair to your fall performance, and will really spice up your party. (A great addition for your vent family.)

The Singing Drum Set Puppet

You won't want to miss this opportunity to add a clever and useful puppet to your instrument collection. Join this class and learn puppet building techniques that will help you in future projects and take home a fun addition to your puppet family.