Parker Puppetry

Parker Puppetry Mastering the Art of Live Hand and Rod Puppetry with Jess Parker (Associate Director/Resident Direct https://beacons.page/parkerpuppetry

🎭 Freelance Performer Call – ‘Bear’ (Away Resorts UK)We are looking to take on 3-4 performers for an upcoming Bear Schoo...
01/05/2026

🎭 Freelance Performer Call – ‘Bear’ (Away Resorts UK)

We are looking to take on 3-4 performers for an upcoming Bear School training and assessment, ahead of summer work with Bear in the Woods at Away Resorts.

I’m currently connecting with freelance performers/puppeteers to build a small, high-quality pool of performers to operate ‘Bear’ - a full-body character suit (think Big Bird-style), delivering immersive meet & greet experiences across resort sites.

🎓 Bear School (Required Training & Assessment)
All performers must attend Bear School before any further work is offered. This is both a training and assessment process, where we will:
* Teach performance style and handling of Bear
* Assess suitability for the role
* Build a trusted network of performers for ongoing work

Dates: 9th–11th May
Location: Cleethorpes Holiday Park
Time: 10:00 – 17:30 (3 full days)
Rate: £200 per day
Accommodation provided (shared caravan, own rooms)

🐻 The Role (Post-Training Opportunities)
Selected performers may be offered work including:
* Character meet & greets (no scripted shows)
* Up to 4 x 20-minute sets per day
* 5 days per week (Fri/Sat/Sun/Tues/Weds)
* Primarily based at Sandy Balls Resort (New Forest)

Contract Option:
15th May – 31st August
£12,282 total (~£818 per week)
Accommodation provided

👉 Also open to freelancers covering shorter blocks/weeks, depending on availability and operational needs, with potential to work across other Away Resorts sites.

👤 Performer Requirements
* Approx. 5’8” - 6’1”
* Physically fit (waist-supported suit, approx. 30kg load)
* Strong movement and character performance skills
* Puppetry/creature/costume performance experience preferred

(All genders welcome - suitability is based on performance and physical capability)

🌟 The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to become part of a core network of trained Bear performers, with potential for ongoing seasonal and future work within the Bear in the Woods brand.

📩 To Apply
Please email the following to: [email protected]

* Name
* Height
* Experience / CV
* Availability (May–August)

Happy to answer any questions - and feel free to share with anyone who might be a good fit⭐️

📣 *GIVEAWAY TIME!* Win 2 FREE spots on our Introduction to Puppetry workshop this Sunday, 11 May, at !Parker Puppetry is...
06/05/2025

📣 *GIVEAWAY TIME!*
Win 2 FREE spots on our Introduction to Puppetry workshop this Sunday, 11 May, at !

Parker Puppetry is teaming up with the brilliant for a full day of puppet magic — from Muppet-style hand & rod technique to wild creature creations, dance battles, and more!

Expect expert tuition, hands-on fun, and a Q&A with a leading industry pro. Usually £80 — yours FREE if you win!

TO ENTER:
1. Like this post ❤️
2. Follow &
3. Share this post to your story & tag us 📲
4. Tag a friend you’d bring (or say you’d come solo!) 🧵🎭

Winners announced Friday morning — don’t miss out!

Workshop Details:
📅 Sat 11 May | ⏰ 09:00–18:00
📍 , London
👥 Ages 16+ | All levels welcome

Parker Puppetry is partnering with once more to offer an exciting ‘Introduction to Puppetry’ workshop on May 11th at !T...
27/04/2025

Parker Puppetry is partnering with once more to offer an exciting ‘Introduction to Puppetry’ workshop on May 11th at !

Throughout the day, you’ll explore various techniques in a fun, collaborative environment that encourages creativity and discovery. The day will finish with a Q&A session with a leading industry professional!

⭐ What the day will look like ⭐

Animate Puppet Co. – This session introduces you to a wide range of puppet styles, including paper puppets, fabric creatures, and object manipulation. We’ll guide you through both individual and group exercises that conclude with a sharing of the work created. Plus, you’ll have the chance to test your new skills in our Assault Course and Dance Battle challenges! Animate Puppet Co. has worked on major projects like Warhorse, Doctor Who, Behind Her Eyes, The Butterfly Lion, and more.

“Animate is an excellent company with a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging workshop. I’m amazed at what the students created and the skills they continue to use. I would highly recommend them!”

Parker Puppetry - mastering Hand and Rod Puppetry! Here’s your chance to learn how to bring Muppet-style characters to life! Our expert Puppeteachers are seasoned professionals in Hand & Rod Puppetry for both Theatre & Screen, including credits like Avenue Q.

“I would absolutely recommend them to anyone wanting to learn Muppet-style puppetry. Jess is a fantastic teacher, giving crystal-clear, incredibly helpful feedback, and creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I always leave with new things to think about and practice!”

Event Details:
11/05/25 | 09:00 – 18:00
Chisenhale Dance Space, 64-84 Chisenhale Road, London, E3 5QZ
Price: £80

Booking link in comments!

🧡🙌🏻🧡 Puppetry Workshop Weekend at Stagecoach Performing Arts Stourbridge
06/07/2024

🧡🙌🏻🧡 Puppetry Workshop Weekend at Stagecoach Performing Arts Stourbridge

“I guess it’s better to be who you are. Turns out people like you best that way, anyway.” — Big Bird 💛Big Bird is a char...
18/06/2024

“I guess it’s better to be who you are. Turns out people like you best that way, anyway.” — Big Bird 💛

Big Bird is a character who made his gigantic debut in 1969 on the wonderful

He is an 8’2” tall anthropomorphic Canary.
His best friend is Mr. Snuffleupagus and has a total of 4,000 feathers!

Big Bird was originally performed by The late great Caroll Spinney until his retirement in 2018.
Now Big Bird is performed by the incredible

When Caroll was first introduced to Matt, he said “’Vogel”? That’s ‘bird’ in German. This may be the job for you!”

The puppet is one of the most complex to operate...As the performer is completely enclosed within the costume and extends his right hand over his head to operate the head and neck of the puppet.
The Muppeteer’s left-hand serves as the Bird’s left hand, while the right hand is stuffed and hangs loosely from a fishing line that runs through a loop under the neck and attaches to the wrist of the left hand. Occasionally, a second puppeteer operates the right hand in scenes where Big Bird moves both of his hands or holds a prop.
Add into that the only way to see out is via a monitor strapped to the performer - AND add in that Caroll used to rollerskate... PHEW!!!!!!!

I love Big Birds innocence and wide-eyed nature with his world. He believes in the good in everything and he melts my heart.
💛💛💛

Please give a watch, it’s beautiful.

Also check out ‘s podcast ‘Below The Frame’ to hear from all your favourite Muppet performers!!!


(Image does not belong to Parker Puppetry)

⭐️🙌🏻 Had the best day in Dorset with these wonderful students! 🙌🏻⭐️
31/05/2024

⭐️🙌🏻 Had the best day in Dorset with these wonderful students! 🙌🏻⭐️

Parker Puppetry and Paper Puppets present 🎉🙌🏻THE BIG PUPPETRY WEEKENDER🙌🏻🎉This 2-day weekend workshop will introduce par...
13/01/2024

Parker Puppetry and Paper Puppets present
🎉🙌🏻THE BIG PUPPETRY WEEKENDER🙌🏻🎉

This 2-day weekend workshop will introduce participants to the wonderful world of puppetry through industry-level training. We’ll give you the fundamental tools you need to create new and exciting work in a fun and supportive environment that promotes teamwork and discovery through play!

Join us and explore HAND AND ROD puppetry, BUNRAKU puppetry, OBJECT and FABRIC MANIPULATION, and more in a jam-packed weekend of fun!

You’ll be sent footage from the weekend and there’s also a special quest Q&A on the second day with a top industry pro!!

When: 17/02 & 18/02/24 10:00 - 17:00
Where: Chisenhale Dance Space, 64-84 Chisenhale Road, London, E3 5QZ
Suitable for 16+
Price: £120.00 (early bird special)/£150.00 (full price)
18 spaces available -
10 early bird special using code ‘EARLYBIRD’ on checkout.
🚨CLICK LINK IN COMMENTS TO BOOK!🚨

Day 1 - Introduction to puppetry with Paper Puppets!
Featuring a selection of vocal and physical warm ups and puppetry-specific exercises and games. You’ll work on both individual and group exercises, create creatures from fabric, explore objection manipulation, and devise performances to share back with the group. You’ll also team up with your puppet to tackle the ‘Paper Puppet’s Assault Course’ challenge! Think 'Tough Mudder' with puppets and without the mud!

Day 2 - An Introduction to Hand and Rod Puppetry with Parker Puppetry
A rare opportunity to learn the skills you require to bring those amazing Muppet based characters to life!
On this part of the weekend - you will be learning the techniques in Hand & Rod Puppetry, with a focus on Theatrical Style (Puppeteer in-view) with Jess, working through the Parker Puppetry Syllabus exercises with your Puppets. In the first part of the day, you will be learning warm-up and strengthening exercises for this type of Puppetry, and be taught how to position, sync, walk, and manipulate your Puppet. For the second part of the day, you will be focussing on emotion work, developing a character, and creating a character voice for you to bring those bold characters to life!

DO NOT MISS THIS!!! Invaluable Puppetry training in one weekend hit… you’d be a Muppet to miss it!! 🎉🙌🏻

❤️ ‘SQUEAK’ - it’s SWEEP! ❤️Who else grew up on the wonderful UK show, ‘The Sooty Show’? Well, like me, you will remembe...
07/01/2024

❤️ ‘SQUEAK’ - it’s SWEEP! ❤️

Who else grew up on the wonderful UK show, ‘The Sooty Show’?
Well, like me, you will remember not only the famous yellow hand puppet that is Sooty... but his long eared-best friend Sweep.

I LOVED Sweep. I think it’s because he was a Dog, and I have a big huge heart for any canine friend... real or fictional.

Sweep is a grey glove puppet dog, with long ears and little red nose... and he joined The Sooty Show in 1957 as Sooty’s friend.
He (like most doggies) loves bones, and sausages... and he is the most wonderful and endearing character that children keep in their hearts to this day.

He has a very high pitched ‘squeak’ - that uses inflection and rhythm from normal speech and syllables in words... so even though he never uses words... you always sense what he’s saying ❤️

I guess Sweep also really shows us that, even though he has no mouth for a puppeteer to use to form words, a puppeteer still has the ability to make the character as engaging and full of life for the audience.

🧡🙌🏻PUPPETRY IN PANTO🙌🏻🧡 “Oh yes it is!!” This year, I have had the pleasure of working with Wolverhampton Grand on their...
09/12/2023

🧡🙌🏻PUPPETRY IN PANTO🙌🏻🧡 “Oh yes it is!!”

This year, I have had the pleasure of working with Wolverhampton Grand on their first independently produced in-house Pantomime ‘Snow White’ as Puppet Director & Puppet Choreographer.

And YES!! Snow Whites protectors were re-imaged as ‘The Peaky Miners’ - in the form of Hand & Rod Puppets.

From casting, to training in Hand & Rod Puppetry, to directing and choreographing all Puppet scenes, my work is now in the hands (literally) of this INCREDIBLE group of humans.
Not one of these guys had picked up a Puppet before, (and those of us who are Puppeteers know how hard Puppetry is…) let alone everything else they had to perform in the show.

I am so proud of them, and the work we created together… and most of all the passion they dedicated to their Puppetry to bring these wonderful characters to life.

👀 Watch out for these superstars:
Ollie Thomas-Smith (Bozza & Puppet Captain)
Daniel Walford (Cookie)
Charlie Donnelly (Ma Shelby)
Leonie Wall (Davina)
Elliot Baker-Costello (Axel)
Lucy Nolan (Brianna)
Jack Skelton (McTavish)
Elise Prosser (Puppet Swing)
Lewis Francis (Puppet Swing)

Puppet Builder: Joe Peek

Puppet Enthusiasts and general lovers of Pantomime… head to The Grand (Wolverhampton) this season to see some awesome Puppetry!




🧡🙌🏻🧡
16/10/2023

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Address

64-84 Chisenhale Road
London
E3 5QZ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 8pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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