For three decades Chris has been working to inspire and facilitate original thinking in the realms of theatrical, educational and public-art design. Chris received a 2006 Bush Artist Fellowship, a 2008 Public Art Saint Paul Sustainable Practices Fellowship and a 2012 McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship.
In 2016 Chris founded Big Animal Productions LLC, a public art production company that sprouted out of Puppet Farm Arts 501c3, with the ongoing mission: to improve the health of human communities and the Earth by teaching people the process of transforming waste materials into imaginative art.
Chris regularly performs his famous “Big Animal” puppets in the public square—in parks, schools, parades—at libraries, fairs, and anywhere else where the intervention of marvelously-large wild-animal puppets might be desired!
Chris is also a bona-fide, licensed, certified, accredited, registered, and bonded puppet doctor.
Teaching Artist Statement
I am a sculptor and theater artist who believes that there is a deep-residing need for hands-on, kinesthetic creative work. Puppetry combines materials exploration, an engaging hand-crafting and invention component, and an intersection of movement, language and imaginative theatrical invention. All of these aspects provide a holistic sensory experience, as well as a broad appeal to a wide range of learning styles. I predominately work with waste materials and place a strong emphasis on the ecology of the waste-to-art process. Through this process I teach the science and environmental intersections of the various materials used.
Program Offerings
Art Kit
Found Object Puppets (Art Kits)
Using recycled materials, such as: plastic bottles, grocery bags and clothes hangers and natural found materials, such as: sticks and stones and feathers, students will construct puppet figures, taping, tying and gluing the pieces together.
Materials in kit: One or more of the following: plastic bottle(s), wire hanger, cereal/ cookie/ tea box(es), cotton balls, tape, glue, string, colored tissue paper, paint brush, sticks, stones, feathers.
Residencies
Creative Classroom
Hand Puppet Theater
Using a variety of household waste materials, students will make hand puppet figures and showcase them, at the end of the week, on the puppet stage! Script-work, physical and vocal theater training, musical accompaniment and small group collaboration may also be included. Requires at least 5 sessions or one week of programming. Puppets can also be displayed in an exhibit instead of performance. Best for grades K-5.
Homemade Parade
Make a huge dragon, a gaggle of frogs, a herd of wild animals, undersea creatures, insects … you name it! Choose a theme and we’ll make a parade! Expect an interactive, immersive, and improv style residency that builds up to a parade. Integrating masks and puppets to create an event. Requires at least 5 sessions or one week of programming. Great for middle schools and can be customized to K-5!
Adults – Older Adults
Traditional Glove Puppets
Using clay, papier-mâché, fabric, paint, fibers and other decorative elements, participants craft highly personalized characters for the hand-puppet theater. These puppets are also known as “Punch-and-Judy-style” or simply “fist puppets.” The variety of materials used in the process make for a very rewarding hands-on experience, from sculpting the head and hand-forms in clay, to papier-mâching, cutting, tailoring and sewing of costumes; and painting and gluing-on of details. No experience is necessary!
Workshops
Be an Animal! Mask & Movement
With ready-made animal masks provided by the instructor, students will learn the basics of mask performance. The workshop may culminate in a works-in-progress presentation to fellow schoolmates. Folk dance movement motifs may be integrated for younger students. Great for all ages. Workshops are adapted to age groups and participant types.
Waste-to-Wonder
This eco-conscious mask and puppet construction workshop uses everyday household consumer packaging waste such as cereal boxes, grocery sacks and soda bottles to construct unique masks and puppet creations. Wire hanger insects, paper bag beasts, milk jug doves, soda bottle spiders, paper carton fish—students will learn how to transform everyday recyclables into fun puppets and masks … FAST! Great for all ages! Workshops are adapted to age groups and participant types.
“Christopher was excellent, very patient and calm. He was a lot of fun and the elders enjoyed having him here. When speaking with one of the Residents that worked with Chris, he said that at first he didn’t think he would like making puppets, but after he met Chris and started working with him he was hooked!”
Activity Director, Older Adult Care Center
