August 3-7

Optional extension:
August 8: Parade puppets
August 9: Annie and Mary Day
parade participation

Finding the Life: Puppetry Fundamentals for the Working Actor

Instructors: Rebekah Lane

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Many professional actors find themselves cast in puppetry roles with little more than good instincts to guide them.  Imagine having the skills and know-how to walk into any puppetry situation, make it work, and make it look good. This intensive gives you the foundational principles that turn capable into skilled. Over five days, participants will be introduced to four distinct forms of puppetry - object, bunraku-style, arm and rod, and marionette - build a basic puppet in each form, and then learn to bring an object to life. The work is rooted not in choreography, but in understanding: how does this object breathe, how does it want to move, and what draws its curiosity?

Each day closes with material that feeds into a final sharing on Day 5. An optional Saturday extension invites local participants and those with an appetite for large-scale work to explore parade puppetry.  Participants will explore existing parade puppets. These puppets will find their way into the Annie and Mary Day Parade on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

Who Should Apply

Professional actors at any stage of their puppetry journey — especially those with a background or interest in dance, physical theatre, or object work. No puppetry experience required. No prerequisites.

Schedule & Classes

August 3-7: Workshop 9am–5:30pm.
Optional extension includes August 8: Parade puppets & August 9: Annie and Mary Day parade participation.

30+ hours of instruction time, plus a few hours for rehearsal outside of class. A sample day runs from 9am–5:30pm with a 90 minute lunch. Students are encouraged to spend free time exploring the forests, coasts, rivers and mountains of Humboldt County or attending some of the Baduwa’t Festival.

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PAYMENT & LOGISTICS

  • $496 — 20% off for Festival Pass Holders
    $527 — 15% off Early Bird Tuition (by 6/29)
    $620 — Full Tuition

    A minimum $100 deposit is required to secure your spot in the intensive. Links for all payments will be emailed to you upon acceptance.

  • Dell'Arte is committed to making our programs accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. We offer need-based scholarships and flexible payment options to reduce financial barriers for prospective students.

    Need-Based Scholarships
    A limited number of partial scholarships—up to a 50% reduction of full tuition—are available to applicants who demonstrate financial need. We especially encourage applications from individuals facing economic barriers to participation, including those from low-income households, first-generation students, rural and remote community members, and others for whom cost would otherwise be a barrier.

    To apply, indicate your interest in a need-based scholarship in the admissions application and briefly describe your circumstances. Awards are made based on demonstrated need and available funds.

    Other Assistance
    Additional discounts, sliding-scale options, and payment plans are available and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. We don't want cost to be the reason you can't join us—if our published options don't fit your situation, please reach out.

    Questions?
    Email our School Coordinator at schooladmin@dellarte.com before applying.

    Other scholarships and payment plans are negotiated on a case by case basis. Please email our School Coordinator at schooladmin@dellarte.com if you have further questions before proceeding.

  • This policy is in place to ensure our ability to continue offering high-quality programs to performers near and far. Registered students faced with the unfortunate need to withdraw from a course for any reason may request a refund of tuition paid based on the following timeline:

    • Early Withdrawal (45+ days out): Requests made more than 45 days before the course start date are eligible for a full refund, minus a $50 processing fee.

    • Standard Withdrawal (44–15 days out): Requests made between 44 and 15 days before the course start date are eligible for a 50% refund of the tuition paid.

    • Final Deadline (14 days or less): No refunds will be granted within 14 days of the start date or once the course has commenced.

    All refund requests must be submitted in writing to the program administrator.

    Exceptions may be made for documented medical emergencies or visa denials at the discretion of the School Director. In these cases, we may offer a tuition credit for a future intensive instead of a cash refund.

  • For information regarding appropriate attire, school policies, and other logistics, see our frequently asked questions page. Still have questions? Contact the School Administrator at schooladmin@dellarte.com or by phone at +1 707-502-2276.

    For information about housing options and travel, visit this page.

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