Studio Babette Mission Statement

Studio Babette Puppet Theatre strives to provide quality puppet performances in a myriad of styles, which reflect the European background of traditional puppet forms, combined with the unique artistry of modern Canadian puppetry. Studio Babette explores heritage themes, and stories from the many cultures which contribute to the wonderful fabric of Canadian life. Our productions represent the creativity and hard work of a vibrant community of local artists, craftspeople and promoters in the Hamilton area. Studio Babette advocates: • equity for all, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, political viewpoint or economic circumstance; • eating locally, to sustain the environment and optimize health; • appreciation and respect for our heritage, and others’ heritage; • freedom of speech and artistic expression; • independent artistic sustainability. However, we do not use these beliefs as themes for our plays, but rather as ideological under-pinnings, by having these values represented with artistic subtlety in all of our work

HONOURS 2015 – Marie Franek nominated for a Hamilton Arts Award in Children’s Performance 2014 - Haldimand County Community Culture Award with Ruthven Park and Historic Site, for From Ruthven to Passchendaele 2012 - Veterans Affairs Canada’s Community Engagement Partnership Fund Grant 2011 - Studio Babette nominated for a Hamilton Arts Award in Children’s Performance 2010 - Trillium Foundation Grant

All shows written, built, directed and performed by Studio Babette Puppet Theatre Marie Franek, Helena Adamczyk and Kerry Corrigan

All members of Studio Babette Puppet Theatre have passed a Hamilton Police Security Check. STUDIO BABETTE PUPPET THEATRE PRODUCTION RATES 2016

FROM RUTHVEN to PASSCHENDAELE For ages 10+, adults (middle school Grade 4 - 8, high school Grade 9 - 10) 3 puppeteers In honour of the 100th anniversary of the First World War, Studio Babette tells the true story of the sacrifice made by the Thompson family of Cayuga. Puppeteers recreate the green fields of Ruthven Park and the grey fields of Passchendaele with shadow play and a large cast of 13 puppets. length 60 minutes (suggested audience size 25 - 80 people) $350. for one performance, $475. for two performances same day.

YOUNG SOPHIA: the Diary All Ages, 3 puppeteers and one stage manager Inspired by the diary that Sophia MacNab wrote in 1846, age 13, growing up in Dundurn Castle, this play features the founding father of Hamilton, Sir Allan Napier MacNab and his 2 daughters Sophia and Minnie. Young Sophia: the Dundurn Castle Diary provides a unique and entertaining look at Victorian pioneer life at Dundurn. length 50 minutes (suggested audience size 25 - 80 people) $350. for one performance, $475. for two performances same day.

PULCINELLA, il Cameriere (Pulcinella, the waiter) For ages 12+, adults (high school Grade 9 - 12) 2 puppeteers and one stage manager Performed on a vintage stage, Pulcinella brings the Commedia dell’Arte style of hand-puppetry to your school or venue. Featuring Pulcinella, Pantalone, Angelina and the DemonDog, this zany puppet play has plenty of silly laughs and action gags. length 35 mins (suggested audience size 15 - 60 people) $300. for one performance, $425. for two performances same day.

CARLOS and His 5 Reasons For ages 2 - 12 (elementary school Grade 2 - 8) 2 puppeteers and one stage manager Carlos handles his anger and frustration with life in a simple way; he looks for witches in his house to cast a spell on his family. Watch with delight as Carlos works through his problems with the help (or lack thereof) of some funny witches. length 35 mins (suggested audience size 15 - 60 people) $300. for one performance, $425. for two performances same day.

continued

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] www.studiobabette.ca Where are you CINDERELLA? For ages 2 - 12 (elementary school Grade 2 - 8) 2 puppeteers and one stage manager Cinderella merges past with present, as vintage, refurbished hand puppets perform a vintage script on a brand new set, with new, original sound effects and historic music. Funny and silly, Cinderella is another fairy tale favourite, re-imagined for a whole new generation of puppet fans. length 40 mins (suggested audience size 15 - 60 people) $300. for one performance, $425.00 for two performances same day.

LITTLE FAIRY TALES For Little People - Little Red Riding Hood, The 3 Little Pigs, Goldilocks & the 3 Bears Intimate Shows for young ages (pre-school, kindergarten to Grade 2) These small-scale shows, performed with table-top and finger puppets, are designed to introduce young children to live theatre. Each play is performed by a single puppeteer on a mini-stage and is prefaced with an original song The Puppets Are Coming To Town sung with guitar accompaniment. length approx. 20-25 mins each (suggested audience size 10 - 35 people) Package #1 $150. for one performance of one play Package #2 $250. for two performances of one or two plays Package #3 $300.for three performances of two or three play Package #4 $350. for four performances of two or three plays

Private Workshops for 25 and under, are also offered, in conjunction with performances only, for $75. Venues outside a 30km radius of Hamilton may also be billed $.50 km.

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] www.studiobabette.ca Studio Babette Puppet Theatre

From Ruthven to Passchendaele

In honour of the 100th anniversary of the First World War, Studio Babette tells the true story of the sacrifice made by the Thompson family of Cayuga. Puppeteers recreate the green fields of Ruthven Park and the grey fields of Passchendaele with shadow play, multi-media and a large cast of 14 table-top puppets. The puppets wear detailed historical costumes from 1904 - 1917, and music is native to the time. This production also honours the conribution made by the Native population in the 114 Battalion Infantry of Cayuga, nicknamed “Brock’s Rangers”.

This original play was made possible through the generous support received from Veterans Affairs Canada’s Community Engagement Partnership Fund.

From Ruthven to Passchendaele is designed to enhance the Ontario Curriculum for Grade 8 History, Grade 9-10 History, Grade 10 Civics, as well as Drama programs at all grade levels.

For ages 8+, adults (middle school Grade 4 - 8, high school Grade 9 - 10) 60 minutes Suggested audience size 25 - 80 people $350.for one performance, $475. for two performances same day. Venues outside a 30km radius of Hamilton add $0.50 per km mileage.

For one-hour private workshops following each performance, add $75. per workshop. Limit one class per workshop.

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] . www.studiobabette.ca Studio Babette Puppet Theatre

Young Sophia: the Dundurn Castle Diary

Young Sophia: the Dundurn Castle Diary is inspired by the diary of Sophia MacNab, written in 1846 when she was 13 years old and living in the Dundurn mansion with her younger sister Mary (Minnie), her older step-sister Anne Jane, her father Sir Allan Napier MacNab, her bed-ridden mother Mary and many relatives and servants. All events are based in fact with some fictional extrapolations.

Life in the “castle” comes alive as Sophia and Minnie grow up like two normal girls, in a very special home. Puppets include the two sisters, their father, Sir Allan, who was to become Prime Minister of the Province of Canada and Mr. Reid the gardener, as well as the poodle puppies Finn and Finette. The set is styled like the bedroom and kitchen garden at Dundurn Castle in 1846, and also features shadow plays and lively Scottish music.

This engaging one-act play is the perfect solution for teachers looking for accompaniment to a thematic unit on diaries, Canadian government, Canadian history, pioneers, first settlers, life in Dundurn castle, garden and healthy nutrition, character studies, friend- ship, family, community, puppetry especially rod marionettes and tabletop puppetry, shadow puppetry, drama, arts and fine arts.

Young Sophia is performed by 3 puppeteers with a stage manager. It was first performed in the Cockpit Theatre at Dundurn Castle, September 2010.

All ages. Length 40 minutes Suggested audience size 25 - 80 people $350. for one performance, $475. for two performances same day. Venues outside a 30km radius of Hamilton add $0.50 per km mileage.

For one-hour private workshops following each performance, add $75. per workshop. Limit one class per workshop.

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] . www.studiobabette.ca Studio Babette Puppet Theatre

Pulcinella, il Cameriere (Pulcinella, the Waiter)

Pulcinella, il Cameriere is based on the traditional Italian Commedia dell’Arte style of puppetry. The fast, rhythmic movement and traditional characterizations of Commedia are the source of many of the comic principles seen in today’s modern entertainment.

Pulcinella was workshopped in the traditional method, by creating improvised “Lazzo”, or scenes, and is performed in the Guaratelle style of Italian puppetry, with hand puppets on a vintage wooden stage. Meet Pulcinella, Zanni, the DemonDog, Pantalone and his beguiling daughter Angelina, and of course a policeman and Death both make an appearance. A host of props are also part of the comedy.

This high-energy show is an excellent way to introduce the study of the history of puppetry to high-school age students who will appreciate the combination of slap-stick humour and double-entendre gags. It also provides an entertaining example of Commedia dell’Arte staging and comedy.

This puppet play is performed by two puppeteers, with a third running lights and sound. Studio Babette is indebted to Philip Farah of Italy, a master of the Guaretelle style and a most generous instructor.

Ages 13+ (high school Grade 9 - 12) & adults length 35 mins (suggested audience size 15 - 60 people) $300. for one performance, $425. for two performances same day. Venues outside a 30km radius of Hamilton add $0.50 per km mileage.

For one-hour private workshops following each performance, add $75. per workshop. Limit one class per workshop.

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] . www.studiobabette.ca Studio Babette Puppet Theatre

Carlos and His 5 Reasons

Five reasons to be angry are a lot of reasons... and Carlos has them! When a little boy’s toy car gets broken by his sister, and his parents don’t give in to his demands for attention, he gets angry. So angry that he devises an ingenious plan. Carlos will go on a journey to look for witches - surely one of them will bewitch his family!

Carlos and His 5 Reasons explores the emotion of anger and what is behind it, in a warm and amusing manner. This funny puppet play raises lots of questions and discussion points: What should I do about my anger? Should I seek revenge or forgive when I feel angry? Is my anger justified? As Carlos searches for the witches, he confonts these questions while gradually reaching his delightful solution.

The puppets were made using a special doll-making technique called “needle felting”, an ancient and laborious technique using one tiny needle. The wool comes from different sources, including Angora goats from Flamborough farm Valbaine Angoras. Some have wire rods, some have wooden sticks and there is one mask-like puppet. They are not typical stereotyped witches but more comical, contemporary characters.

The set is a multi-layered, cut-away house, with many staircases for Carlos to explore in his search. This play also features shadow puppetry. Carlos and His 5 Reasons is performed by two puppeteers, with a third running lights and sound.

For ages 2 - 12 (elementary school Grade 2 - 8) length 35 mins (suggested audience size 15 - 60 people) $300. for one peformance, $425.for two performances same day. Venues outside a 30km radius of Hamilton add $0.50 per km mileage.

For one-hour private workshops following each performance, add $75. per workshop. Limit one class per workshop.

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] . www.studiobabette.ca Studio Babette Puppet Theatre

Where Are You Cinderella?

When Helena first spied the well-worn Cinderella hand- puppets for sale at a Puppeteers of America regional festival in Michigan a few years back, she immediately saw the potential for restoration. The chap who was selling them was sad to see them go, as he’d entertained many, many children over the years with the eight large puppets. But it was time for him to retire, and he was thrilled to pass them on to someone who might bring them back to life. Where are you Cinderella? features beautifully refurbished, and re-costumed puppets on a 2-tiered stage with all new props and sets.

Where are you Cinderella? is performed by two puppeteers with a stage manager

For ages 2 - 12 (elementary school Grade 2 - 8), adults & seniors length 35 mins (suggested audience size 15 - 60 people) $300. for one peformance, $425. for two performances same day. Venues outside a 30km radius of Hamilton add $0.50 per km mileage.

For one-hour private workshops following each performance, add $75. per workshop. Limit one class per workshop.

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] . www.studiobabette.ca Studio Babette Puppet Theatre

Little Fairy Tales for Little People Little Red Riding Hood, The 3 Little Pigs, Goldilocks & the 3 Bears Little Fairy Tales for Little People is the perfect way to introduce the youngest children to live theatre. Each of these short shows is performed by a single puppeteer on a personal stage. Let these endearing fables live on through the next generation with these adorable, often tongue-in-cheek tales of fun and adventure.

Marie Franek performs Little Red Riding Hood, Kerry Corrigan handles The 3 Little Pigs and Helena Adamczyk has fun with Goldilocks and the 3 Bears.

Each play is presented in its own unique and ingenious format, using all manner of home-made and found objects to create the magic of puppetry. Pre-school, kindergarten and primary grade children respond to the delightful, traditional story-telling of Little Fairy Tales for Little People.

length approx. 15-20 mins each

(suggested audience size 10 -30 children) Package #1 $150. for one performance of one play Package #2 $250. for two performances of one or two plays Package #3 $300. for three performances of two or three play Package #4 $350. for four performances of two or three plays Venues outside a 30km radius of Hamilton add $0.50 per km mileage.

For one-hour private workshops following each performance, add $75.00 per workshop. Limit one class per workshop.

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] . www.studiobabette.ca Studio Babette Workshops and Tech Requirements

Workshops for Fairy Tales or Carlos: Younger children will enjoy the hands-on creative challenge of making their own wooden spoon puppets, with hair and simple costume, featuring short performances if time permits.

Workshops for Pulcinella, Young Sophia or Ruthven: Older students respond more readily to performance workshops. Studio Babette will make a presentation of various kinds of puppets through the ages and provide hand puppets for participants to practice puppetry techniques. Short student performances are part of the workshop.

Workshops are limited to a single class.

Technical Requirements: We need at least two electrical outlets adjacent to the performance area. This performance area must be a minimum of 8’ x 8’ x 8’. (10’ x 10’ x 10’ for Sophia & Ruthven)

We need another small area at the back of the audience, with room for a small table and chair and two electrical outlets, for the Stage Manager, who will run sound and lights. Studio Babette will provide all light and sound equipment.

Carlos, Young Sophia & From Ruthven to Passchendaele benefit from being presented in an area that can be darkened, as the plays employ shadow puppetry. Fairy Tales and Pulcinella do not have this requirement.

We would appreciate an area, just a private little room, for the puppeteers to change and prepare for their performance for 15 minutes prior to the start of the show. We require two hours to set-up, and one hour to strike our show. Move-in the day before offers the perfect scenario for us, but is not mandatory.

Studio Babette gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation

dundas . greensville . hamilton . ontario [email protected] . www.studiobabette.ca Places where we have performed:

Heritage & Conservation Sites • Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, Jordan • Battlefield Museum, Stoney Creek • Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, Southampton • Dundas Museum & Archives, Dundas • Dundurn National Historic Site, in the Castle, the Coach House and the Cockpit, Hamilton • Hamilton Chidren’s Museum, Hamilton • Ireland House, Burlington • John McCrae House, • Ruthven Park National Historic Site, Cayuga • Westfield Heritage Village, Rockton

Theatres & Stages • , Hamilton • Artword Artbar, Hamilton • Bar2020, Toronto • Best Start Fair, Brantford • The Davedi Club, North Bay • Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse, Hamilton • Loose Canon Gallery, Hamilton • Morden’s Farm Barn, Dundas • The Pearl Company, Hamilton • The Staircase Cafe and Theatre, Hamilton • Theatre Aquarius Studio Theatre, Hamilton • Village Theatre Waterdown, Memorial Hall, Waterdown • Whispers Restaurant, Elora • Zuke Studio, Toronto

Schools • Aldershot High School, Burlington • Colin MacDonald School, Hamilton • Greensville Public School, Greensville • Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts, Dundas • Monarch Park C.I., Toronto • Nottinghill Pre-School, Oakville

Libraries • Greensville Public Library, Greensville • Lillian H. Smith Library, Toronto

Churches • Sparks, Brownies & Girl Guides, Christ Church Flamborough, Flamborough

Retirement Homes • Amica Retirement Home, Dundas • Shalom Village, Hamilton Numerous Private Birthday Parties and One Bridal Shower! Over 1900 students have seen our shows, either at their schools or at heritage sites.

Festivals • Ancaster Heritage Festival, Ancaster • An Old-Fashioned Christmas, Ireland House, Burlington • Best Start Fair, Kitchener • Christmas Open House, Westfield Heritage Village, Rockton • Festitalia, The Pearl Company, Hamilton • Fringe Festival, Hamilton • Fringe Festival, Toronto • Hamilton & Scourge Memorial, Dundurn National Historic Site, Hamilton • Imagine in the Park, Arts Hamilton & Children’s Museum, Gage Park, Hamilton • James North Art Crawl, The Pearl Company, Hamilton • James North Art Crawl, Artword Artbar, Hamilton • Made in Dundas, Dundas Museum and Archives, Dundas • Morden’s Family Festival, Morden’s Farm, Dundas • Open Streets Hamilton, Loose Canon Gallery, Hamilton • Opus Mundi Festival, The Pearl Company, Hamilton • Puppet Allsorts, Toronto • Puppet Slam, Toronto • Regency Family Picnic, Battlefield House, Stoney Creek • A Scottish Celebration at Dundurn, Dundurn National Historic Site, Hamilton • Straight From the Garden, Dundurn National Historic Site, Hamilton • , Hamilton Homegrown, Hamilton • SuperCrawl, HCA Family Area, Hamilton • Telling Tales, Westfield Heritage Village, Rockton • (Tim Murton’s) Twilight Zoo, Whispers Restaurant, Elora • Westfield Ice Cream Festival, Westfield Heritage Village, Rockton • WindDown Festival, Toronto

2015 Commemorative Events • The Great War Commemorated: A Family Event - Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre • Ruthven Remembers: Commemorating the Great War - Ruthven Park National Historic Site • Hamilton Goes to War – A Day of Commemoration - Dundurn National Historic Site, Hamilton Military Museum

Workshops Given • Puppet Performance Workshop, Aldershot High School, Burlington • Plastic Spoon Puppet Making, Dundas Museum and Archives, Dundas • Puppets in the Castle - Children’s Puppet Performance Workshop, Dundurn Castle Coachhouse, Hamilton • Sock Puppet Workshop, Grade 9 Art Class, Monarch Park C.I., Toronto • Wooden Spoon, Foam & Shadow Puppet Making, Colin MacDonald School, Hamilton • Wooden Spoon Puppet Making, Imagine in the Park, Arts Hamilton & Children’s Museum, Gage Park, Hamilton • Wooden Spoon Puppet Making, Ontario Puppetry Association Day of Puppetry, Mississauga Public Library, Mississauga Puppet Displays • Best Start Fair, Kitchener • Open Streets Hamilton, Loose Canon Gallery, Hamilton • Toy & Puppet Display, with Hamilton Toy Museum, Artword Artbar, Hamilton