PROGRAMS

ANIMOTION
Multi-week Training Intensive May 13-24 2024

Book Now – Space is Limited to 12 Participants
Join us for the 14th session of Animotion, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s acclaimed Puppetry Training Intensive.  This training will provide a new set of skills related to the exciting performance art form of puppetry.

For two weeks, participants will learn how to engage with puppets through a series of carefully designed exercises, independent and collaborative scene work, and the development of finished pieces using a variety of puppet styles as well as puppets designed, and built, by the participants themselves.

Animotion runs for (2) weeks in May 2024 (May 13-24)
The ANIMOTION Intensive was created to provide a platform where professional and pre-professional performers, and others, would explore the art of puppetry and related object movement techniques in a nurturing and challenging environment. Because there are few opportunities like ANIMOTION, response to our initiative has been tremendous with interest coming from all over North America. We are very proud to be able to provide this service to the theatre community from our headquarters in Windsor. During the two-week intensive training, participants will be offered the opportunity to glean as much knowledge and technical skills as possible though a series of carefully designed exercises, independent and collaborative scene work, and the development of finished pieces using puppets designed and built by the participants themselves.

Tuition Options

A refundable deposit $150 plus HST (within 30 days of the start date) can hold your spot for ANIMOTION. Full Tuition for the course is offered $800 plus HST. Full Tuition includes a one-year UNIMA membership. Should you have any questions, please contact us at jmorrow@mermaidtheatre.ca or puppets@mermaidtheatre.ca; Space is limited to 12. For 2024 ANIMOTION scholarship opportunities please contact puppets@mermaidtheatre.ca
Mermaid will provide a special rate for those who express a need for further financial support and applicants who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, those living with different abilities, from marginalized communities, immigrant communities, and applicants faced with systemic challenges. For more information please email: puppets@mermaidtheatre.ca or jmorrow@mermaidtheatre.ca. Please note that space is limited.

Saralee Lewis Centre for Puppetry Arts
Schools | Groups | Professional | Performance

Bring Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s internationally acclaimed workshops direct to your institute, school, or venue. We tailor each workshop to fit the needs of your school and group. Institute instructors have been warmly welcomed in worldwide locations, with workshop frequently offered in conjunction with Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s global touring.  The Institute’s faculty members include professional associates who are recognized experts in the fields of theatre, music, dance, design, and construction.  We offer a standard workshop to presenters who are bringing a Mermaid production to their venue, which takes place on stage and allows children or adults to learn the basics of Mermaid's unique style of puppetry in a hands-on setting.  For more information about our workshops and bookings, Contact Us.

Puppet Demonstrations

Participants will learn how to manipulate various styles of puppets, ranging from basic hand puppets to large “doughboys,” - a five-person puppet for an interactive demo.

Build a Puppet

Participants will learn how to create their own puppet.  The puppet will be created using common, everyday items. Additional materials will be supplied.  Under supervision, the participants will have an opportunity to decorate their creations and develop the puppet’s character and costume.  

Giant Puppets

Working as a team, your group will construct a large-scale puppet while learning how to bring it to life.

CAMPS
Spring Break & Summer

Due to COVID-19, we are unable to confirm camp programming at this time. Please revisit our website for any changes to our camp program.

ANIMOTION
Production & Educators

ANIMOTION - Production (5-Day Intensive)

Production Animotion is Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s, Institute of Puppetry Arts puppet making workshop intensive.  The Production Animotion Intensive is a program designed for persons with an interest in exploring the art of puppet construction and related building techniques in a nurturing and challenging environment. The 5-day intensive will focus on three separate construction techniques commonly used by puppet sculptors for Mermaid Theatre’s international touring shows.  Participants will learn to sculpt, and mold, puppet heads by manipulating a variety of materials as well as create puppet bodies. The Intensive will be led by veteran Mermaid sculptors, Jim Morrow and Struan Robertson, with assistance from Mermaid’s Production Department personnel. At the conclusion of the Intensive, each participant will leave with new knowledge, technical skills, and three newly built puppets.  Tuition for the 2-week session will is $800 plus HST (15%).

ANIMOTION - Educators (5-Day Intensive)

The ANIMOTION Intensive for teachers was created to provide a platform where professional and pre-professional teachers and others, would explore the art of puppetry and related object movement techniques in a nurturing and challenging environment. We are very proud to be able to provide this service to Nova Scotia teachers from our headquarters in Windsor. During the 5 day intensive, participants will be offered the opportunity to glean as much knowledge and technical skills as possible though a series of carefully designed exercises, independent and collaborative scene work, and the development of finished pieces using puppets designed and built by the participants themselves. You will be able to take this new knowledge and apply to your classroom! Tuition for the 5-day session will be announced for the 2022/23 season.

Artist Residencies

From the Theatre Loft Director - A number of years ago, I established the Mermaid Theatre Loft as a place where the art of puppetry could be explored in a nurturing and supportive environment. The vision was to provide a space where individual theatre artists, and companies, with a desire to use objects as a device for telling stories, could explore ideas relating to their work, drawing upon the resources of Mermaid Theatre’s creative and administrative teams. I’m very pleased that this dream has been realized, as the roster of Canadian theatre artists who have worked with us in this capacity continues to grow, and the word spreads about what we have to share.”

 -Jim Morrow

The primary goal of the Mermaid Theatre Loft Residency is to create a professional development opportunity to emerging and established professionals that is considered unique in Canadian theatre. Participants, with an interest in developing new work, or improve existing work, rooted in object and visual theatre, are encouraged to apply. Mermaid Theatre will provide access to all our facilities including the Loft Space, as well as, access to all Mermaid Theatre personnel who will engage in relevant discussions regarding the specifics of each project. Mentoring will be provided in puppetry manipulation and construction, set and prop design and construction, play development, dramaturgy, organizational planning, administration, and touring.

If you are interested in this program please send us a project proposal and residency dates by clicking here: Contact Us.