"The Chocolate War"
How do you resolve a conflict that is getting too big?
Open Hand Theater tackles the issue of bullying and conflict resolution in a creative way in this production that features original music, puppets from 12 inches to 12 feet tall, and a stilting blue moon. It is an amazing visual experience. But much more, the puppets themselves become larger and larger as the conflict grows… acting as a visual metaphor readily understandable by children. Almost out of control, the size of the conflict is finally resolved to a friendly level.
Best for grades K-8
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"Grandfather Frost's Stories of Russia"
Our International Puppetry Artist in Residence, Vladimir Vasyagin, presents these winter tales from his home.
Grandfather Frost weaves his magic in the Russian taiga, spinning tales with Baba Yaga and her mischievous cat. Through the antics of these wonderful folk characters, live music, authentic instruments and unique style of puppetry, Leslie Archer and Vladimir Vasyagin introduce the vast heritage of Russia.
Best for grades K-6
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"The Secret Of The Puppet's Book"
"The Stonecutter"
The fun and lessons inherent in great folk tales are relevant to all cultures and times.
This gorgeous puppet show, based on a lovely folk tale from Japan, weaves together two delightful stories about self-esteem, caring, and changing one's world. "The Stonecutter" is an engagingly simple tale with roots in both Japanese and Indian folklore, performed in the beautifully visual style of the Japanese theater with bunraque and other forms of puppetry. This performance features three performers, live music, a wonderful array of puppets and a mountain range.
Best for grades K-6
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"Unbridle that Mule!"
Bringing Central New York's history to life.
Join Mr. Downey, the showboat barker and magician, for the true story of life on the Erie Canal. This fast paced performance features a rowdy cast of original and historic puppet characters, including Teddy, a nine-year-old boy who works on the canal. Enjoy live music from the canal era played on traditional instruments.
Best for grades 3-8
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"Traveling Mask and Puppet Museum Residency"
Bring your World Studies curriculum to life with interactive demonstrations and vibrant cultural masks, puppets and artifacts. Explore the use of masks, puppets, and stories in early and present day cultures. Beautifully enhanced touring stages and displays introduce cultures found in Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, Russia and Europe. Variations of the basic overview are available to suit your specific curriculum focus. (Presentations on India, England, and Italy are also available.)
Best for grades 2 - 12
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"Masks of Life"
The magic of traditional celebrations throughout the world.
An amazing one-man show by artistic director Geoffrey Navias whose masked characters transform before your eyes, this lively educational performance introduces masks and cultures from around the world and traces the important moments and celebrations in human life.
"Masks of Life" is an excellent stand-lone performance and is also superb as the opening assembly for a visit of the Traveling International Mask and Puppet Museum.
Best for grades 2 - 12
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WORKSHOPS:
Open Hand Theater has designed creative arts in education workshops that integrate performance, music, puppetry and visual arts into classroom studies and introduce traditional arts around the world.
Please contact Leslie Archer, Director of Arts Education Programs, leslie@openhandtheater.org to plan the right workshop for your classroom.
" Monkey Business "
For ages pre-k - 2nd, one class at a time
Open Hand Theater visits the classroom with its interactive play stage, engaging children in their own performance of the well-loved story, "Hats for Sale". In our version each monkey is a vowel sound. With puppets and a stage, sounds and lots of fun with repetition, children participate in acting out the story.
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"Commedia Dell'Arte"
For middle and high school students
Students learn about the origins of Improvisational Theater using Italian character masks and scenarios.
Up to 20 students per session.
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"Mask or puppet making"
For all ages
Students can create simple or more complex character masks or jointed puppets
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"Stories behind the Masks"
For all ages
Students explore specific cultures through their mask traditions |
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Open Hand Theater has a number of long term Arts in Education partnership programs that it has developed with individual schools. These generally take a year to plan and to develop the funding.
Open Hand Theater teaches a course at Syracuse University and has conducted numerous workshops and internships for several colleges.
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