In honour of
Saralee Lewis
Co-Founder and Visionary
As a co-founder of Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, Saralee Lewis did more than simply build an organization; she cultivated a sanctuary where imagination could take flight through the ancient and profound art of puppetry
MERMAID STUDIOS PUPPETRY INTENSIVE
5 Day Training Intensive April 27 - May 1
Claim your spot in this year’s Puppetry Intensive at Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia!
This week-long program with puppetry instructors Struan Robertson and Alex Cubbon will provide you with new skills in simple puppet building, scene creation, and puppet manipulation.
Meet your puppetry instructors
Participants will get hands-on experience with a range of different types of puppets, like:
Hand puppets
Table puppets
Floor puppets
Multi-person puppets
Shadow puppets
And MORE!
The Puppetry Intensive will take place:
Time:9:30am - 5:30pm
Dates: Monday, April 27th - Friday, May 1st, 2026
Where: at Mermaid Studios in Windsor, Nova Scotia.
Kindly note that participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation, meals, and transportation.
Tuition Options $400
$150 Deposit A refundable deposit $150 plus HST (within 30 days of the start date) can hold your spot.
Full Tuition for the course is offered $400 plus HST. Should you have any questions, please contact us at connect@mermaidstudios.ca.
Participants can expect to learn about the art of puppetry through a series of diverse exercises, including focus and dexterity training, independent and collaborative scene work, and the development of finished scenes using puppets designed and built by participants.
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 workshops 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.
Sample Workshops:
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
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is currently developing new camp programming.
Please revisit our website for any updates to our camp program.
Meet
Your
Instructors
Struan Robertson
Puppetry Intensive InstructorStruan Robertson leads Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s Production Department, where he oversees the technical and design operations of one of Canada’s most prestigious touring companies. A graduate of Bishop’s University, he has spent over two decades refining his craft as a puppeteer, designer, and educator. Throughout his tenure, he has played a pivotal role in bringing beloved stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar to life for audiences across North America and Asia. Robertson also serves as a senior instructor at the ISaralee Centre for Puppetry Arts, where he mentors emerging artists. His expertise seamlessly blends the logistical demands of international touring with the delicate artistry of object-based storytelling. He remains a cornerstone of the Atlantic Canadian arts community, dedicated to fostering imagination through the unique medium of puppetry.
Puppetry Intensive InstructorAlex Cubbon
Alex Cubbon is based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Alex Cubbon is a versatile theatre artist and technical specialist with a career defined by the intersection of performance and innovation. Since graduating with honors from Dalhousie University in 2016, she has become a vital cornerstone of the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Alex has toured internationally across North America, Singapore, and Hong Kong, performing in acclaimed productions such as The Rainbow Fish and Guess How Much I Love You. Her expertise extends into the digital realm, where she served as a key creator for MermaidTV, assisting in the production of over 50 episodes of original content. Currently serving as a Technical Artist and Production Associate, she acts as the company’s resident 2D animator and 3D structural designer for complex animation projects. Beyond the stage and screen, Alex continues to advance the craft of puppetry through diverse film and television projects across the Maritimes.
