Pico's Puppet Palace

Discipline: Interdisciplinary
Homebase: Duncan, Vancouver Island
Regions Available: Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley &, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island Lower, Vancouver Island Mid, Vancouver Island North, Interior, North, Remote, Kootenays
Languages: English
Themes: Mental Health, Climate Change and/or Environmentalism
Grant Eligibility: Eligible for 70% AIE

Pico’s Puppet Palace, established in 2016 by Sally Miller and Jesse Hamilton, is a theatre company where puppets and sets are meticulously crafted from a diverse array of reclaimed, recycled, and repurposed materials. This eco-conscious approach aligns seamlessly with the ethos of the show, where each episode of Pico’s adventures delves into ecological and environmental themes. Drawing upon their expertise in working with materials such as glass, repurposed fabrics, papier mâché, wood, plastic, and metal, Sally and Jesse showcase their mastery in creating intricate puppets with dynamic moving parts. Sally's background in acting and physical performance, combined with Jesse's mechanical knowledge, results in a captivating array of puppetry styles, including full-body puppets, hand and rod puppets, sock puppets, muppets, and mechanical sculptures. In their quest to captivate audiences of all ages, Pico’s Puppet Palace embarks on national and international tours, weaving together puppetry, live music, and storytelling to forge connections that transcend generational boundaries.

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Performance(s)

Pico and the Golden Lagoon

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Music, Theatre, Storytelling, Interdisciplinary
Offered Languages: English
Grade Suitability: K - 5
Duration: 1 hour
Capacity: 300
Tech Requirements: 30mins in space to set up. Chair with no arms. Access to power. Flat performance area 4m X4m. Easy load in access
Available Formats: In Person

Pico’s Puppet Palace presents a captivating 45-minute puppet show featuring live music, complemented by an interactive 15-minute Q&A session. With a mission to connect diverse audiences globally, these engaging performances combine the art of puppetry, live musical accompaniment, and compelling storytelling to foster unity. Each show delves into the enchanting narratives from Pico's escapades, shedding light on environmental themes and innovative concepts.'Pico and the Golden Lagoon' chronicles Pico's courage, the importance of forging new relationships, and the wonders of the natural world. Journey alongside Pico as she traverses the globe in her iconic yellow bi-plane, uncovering eco-conscious practices through her encounters with a host of unique characters. Stranded on an island after running out of fuel, Pico encounters David, a passionate naturalist, and Lou, a friendly dragon residing by the shimmering lagoon. Will Lou assist Pico in overcoming her fuel dilemma? Discover the answer in this enchanting production crafted from sustainable materials, seamlessly blending puppetry, live music, and storytelling in a mesmerizing spectacle. 

Workshop(s)

Puppet making workshop

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Theatre, Other
Offered Languages: English
Grade Suitability: K - 7
Duration: 5 x 1 hour sessions
Capacity: 30
Tech Requirements: tables and chairs for workshop covered in tablecloths or butchers paper.
Available Formats: In Person

Try your hand at making your puppet with this hands-on workshop experience. Participants will be able to craft their unique puppet to cherish at home using recycled and reclaimed materials. These custom workshops are designed to spark creativity, align with various curriculums, and achieve learning objectives effectively. They serve as an enjoyable, educational, and unforgettable activity. All necessary materials for the workshops are provided. Sally and Jesse have extensive experience working with diverse groups of individuals across different age ranges. During the workshops, attendees can bring their puppet characters to life from scratch using repurposed materials. These engaging sessions foster creativity, inquisitiveness, empathy, and boundless imagination.

Classroom Residency(ies)

Contact Me: Email, Web

Puppet making and theatre residency

School Year: 24-25

The bespoke residencies engage creativity and are tailored to fit with the curriculum and to meet learning outcomes. Residencies can range from 1 Day to a longer extended period. Sally and Jesse are experienced with working with a diverse range of people and ages. In the workshops, participants can create their own puppet characters from the ground up using recycled and repurposed materials. Different types of puppet-making can be explored depending on the length of the residency. In longer residencies, students can start using the puppets, by learning simple manipulation and performance techniques. They can devise their own short skits and/or plays by collaborating with others. Encouraging creativity, curiosity, empathy, and imagination. All materials are provided.

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Testimonials & Reviews

“The highlight of the show was the full moon dragon boogie. And our four-year-old expert reviewer says “I liked the gold dust the best” – which is special magic gold dust from the dancing dragon. Pico and the Golden Lagoon is an entertaining puppet show with talented artists both in puppetry and music..” Lucy Budzynski, KIDDO Magazine

“Sally Miller and Jesse Hamilton presented a poetic, interactive, and playful world through puppetry, live music, and storytelling. Seamlessly integrating a range of ecological and environmental issues they managed to keep the children enthralled and the parents and grandparents delighted.” Peta Aubin, Arts and Cultural Facilitator, South Australia

“I had the opportunity to have Pico Puppet Palace perform as well as provide staff professional development workshops in storytelling at Clarence Valley Libraries recently. Our audiences and our staff loved them and we hope to have them return to our region soon. " Jane Kreis, Senior Library Officer , NSW, Australia

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