Birthday Parties and Other Events
Hire me for your next birthday party, school activity, or corporate event! I have offerings for all ages below. Send me a message and let's start chatting!
PUPPET CLUB: THE POP-UP PUPPET SHOW
Welcome to Puppet Club! The most extraordinarily out-of-the-ordinary puppet show, where puppets will pop out of unusual places and hullabaloo their way into your hearts! This interactive one-woman show invites kids to meet and greet 3 imaginative puppets and help them tell their stories through improvised act outs and games! All puppets are original creations designed by me–not the mass market ones anyone can buy online with 2-day shipping! Ideal for ages 4 to 10, but fun for all ages! Run time 25 - 30 minutes. Choose a puppet theme based on what your kids love:
Animal Adventurer
Oddball Objects
Food Friends
Monster Mayhem
Mix ‘Em Up!
Add-on a 1-hour Puppet Craft Activity or Balloon Twisting!
Photo by Adam Kritzberg
PUPPET CRAFT ACTIVITY
Ideal for ages 4 to 10
Book a 1-hour puppet craft activity for either large or small groups, where kids will not only build their own party favors, but learn tips and tricks about how to perform with their puppets like a professional puppeteer! Choose from a selection of age-appropriate designs, or request one themed to your event!
EVENT PUPPETEER
Guests of all ages love puppets! I've worked events big and small (Skirball Puppet Festival, Great Big Family Play Day, and the Doo Dah parade to name a few) entertaining guests from the stage and as a walk-around performer, spreading delight through one-on-one interactions. I can either bring your puppet characters to life or provide one of my bombastic creations.
BALLOON TWISTING
Nothing fills a party with more delight than balloon animals! I focus on simple balloon designs, meaning I work fast and fun to keep your guests happy.
MAKE YOUR OWN MEEP
Adults, Teens, and Crafty Tweens Puppet Building
Build your own Meep monster hand and rod puppet! In this 2-hour guided activity, you will follow basic steps to use foam and fur to build the puppet’s body structure. Then, you can let your creativity run wild as you add eyes, arms, ears, horns, or whatever else your imagination can dream up, all with the support from a professional builder! The build focuses on a no-sew approach using hot glue, but it can include sewing upon request. Works best as a stand-alone small group event, rather than an addition to a party with other activities happening.
Workshops / Private Lessons
I am a dedicated arts educator, with nearly 20 years of experience sharing my eclectic knowledge with students of all ages. I've travelled nationally working with kids, teens, and adults in:
PUPPET BUILDING
PUPPETRY PERFORMANCE
IMPROV
CLOWNING
SKETCH COMEDY
FILMMAKING
and more!
I’ve created curricula for one-off workshops, multi-day residencies, afterschool programs, camps, and one-on-one private sessions. Tell me what topic you’d like to work on! I’m happy to tailor my workshops to meet your learning goals!
Photo by Frances Gerard
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:
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Eagle Rock Elementary: 10-week afterschool puppet building program for K - 3rd
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Santa Susana HS: 10-day clowning residency, introducing red nose mask clowning techniques to the advanced theatre students
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Agoura Hills HS: Mentoring high schoolers in devising, designing, constructing, and performing puppets for an original children’s theatre touring production
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Camp Bravo Adult Alumni Retreat: 1-weekend puppet building and performance intensive with over 40 adult participants
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Make Your Own Meep Private Lesson: 2-hour build with two tweens learning the basics of constructing a hand and rod puppet monster
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In addition to my extensive background in the arts, I have a Masters in Educational Psychology, and am passionate about promoting literacy and arts integration. As a guest artist and lecturer, I’ve worked with universities, school districts, and private institutions. Let’s talk about professional development for your organization!
"Sherry is a talented, knowledgeable, and passionate teacher who has incredible skill at instilling that same passion in her students. She is caring and tuned into her student's needs and abilities which lets her adjust her lesson plans to better reach every student in her class.
She creates a supportive and caring environment in her classroom so every student feels safe and is an important part of the ensemble.
Sherry's students leave class smiling, laughing, and excited to go back and learn more."
Laura Grandi-Hill
Co-Director of the OCVTS Performing Arts Academy
"We have had the pleasure of working with Sherry for years. She is a consummate professional and brings enthusiasm and joy to everything she does. Sherry is an immensely talented puppeteer, teacher, and performer. She has instructed our children's music teachers in many puppeteer workshops and is always fun and inspiring. Our students and their families are enthralled with her puppeteer skills, bringing our LoveBug mascot to life before their eyes!"
Mary Arden Gorman
Founder & Creative Director, LoveBug & Me Music
"You're weird... but I like you."
4th Grader