Handkerchief Puppet Kit
For pre-schoolers and up, we spend two hours making, then playing with puppets.

Cardboard Box Puppet Kit
For school age children and up. These puppets are made to be used in a simple-to-make home shadow theatre. Two hours of puppet making are followed by an hour of presenting our show, in groups, to one another.

Theme Workshops
If you would like your whole group to have a common theme, or to present a shadow to a larger audience, this is appropriate. You can choose a theme, and usually two 3 hour sessions before the presentations are necessary, but we can discuss your needs and wishes.

Our free-standing 2 metre high and 3 metre wide screen provides a large scale show. We can provide materials at a cost of $4.00 each or you can provide your own cellophane, material, wool scraps and sticks, etc.

Workshops for Facilitators
This is for people who want to learn the skills to facilitate the creation of shadow fun.
We will take into account your unkbers, time, theme and available light source.
$2.00 per session plus $4.00 for materials, (or provide your own)

Workshop Requirements
Sufficient space for the creation and presentaion of your shadow puppets. Groups of around 5-6 around a table with sellotape and stapler is best. Each participant needs scissors, pencil, rubber and if age level allows, a craft knife. 1-2 caregivers per group is necessary but we may be able to arrange extra facilitators at additional cost

Black-Out Curtains
Please check your venue for black-out curtains, or suitability for you to hang up curtains we provide.

Costs
$2.00 per person per session if you provide your own materials OR
$6.00 per person per session (includes $4.00 materials or kit)
Kits include cellophane, cardboard and explanation in a zip-lock plastic bag and cost $4.00 

"The Big Turnip" is a famous Russian Folk Tale with the theme of team work emphasised. Grandad can't pull out the enormously huge turnip by himself and in the end 

grandma, grand-daughter, the dog and cat and then the mouse finally succeed together.
When I created my forst solo performance in 1990 I also emphasised the importance of the balance of nature on our planet to produce the turnip in the first place. wanting a show for a family audience with the emphasis on children I chose a musical which is lots of fun to perform too.
To encourage participation and creativity after the show at home or in the classroom, "Fun with Shadows" asks for volunteers to come and help do a short show with simple puppets they now understand how to make.

The Puppeteer
Having performed this show very succesfully for five years all over Japan with an average of 150 shows a year I am sure that I am not the only one who likes it. It is wonderful to be able to share it with audiences in my home country, and to see children enthusiastic about experiencing this unusual art form, in this age of T.V. games.

In 1996 Sunset Silhouettes wvited from Japan to perform for the Japan Festival in Christchurch and Wellington. In preparation we worked for months with local people to incorporate the local Kabuki, traditional dance and the traditional puppetry of Bunraku. the result was the purification fdance used before performances, which we performed with three women puppeteers and a girl attendant.

Comment from the Wellington "Festival of Japan"
We found their performances to be of the highest standard and have had several follow up enquiries from schools requesting a return visit. We hope they will available again in 1998.

Rowena MacGill of Sunset Sihouettes produces a stimulating and inclusive programme of shadow puppets production and display. She is able to provide most of the materials needed for the programme at a reasonable cost. Rowena is able to pitch her teaching effectively at a variety of levels. Children respond enthusiastically to her motivation and tuition. We recommend SUNSET SILHOUETTES as a very worthwhile addition to a school's art or cultural programme.
Paul Kingston
Princpal Duvauchelle School May 1997

OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation)

An exciting project with eight OSCAR groups throughout Christchurch participating in shadow puppet workshops spread over three weeks.   At the end of the project the children presented their own shadows. A month long exhibition of their puppets at the Canterbury Museum was opened with a performance by Rowena of "The Big Turnip".

"Rowena's show kept children and adults spellbound. the wonderful colours andmusic interwoven with story were magic".
Margaret Stronks, OSCAR

The Venue
Does your venue have:

• One power point
• Vehicle access for the equipment
• Black-out possibility ( I have curtains to lend)
• Space - the stage requires 3m 40cm from side wall to side wall and 3m 30cm from floor to ceiling, 3m from back wall to the front row of the audience and space for your audience

Rowena at home
 
 

Bed and Breakfast stay at Bergli Farm with Rowena and Max