Workshops & Seminars

• Make Your Own Puppet Creature
  Build a professional-quality moving-mouth puppet from scratch using real TV and film materials. All tools and materials included. No experience necessary. Multiple sessions offered.

• From Good to Great: Building Unforgettable Puppet Characters
  Learn how to design strong characters that stick—with emotional range, signature movements, and a performance-ready personality.

• Arm Rod Techniques: Win the Puppet Arms Race
  A practical workshop on how to master the essential skill of expressive puppet movement using arm rods.

• From Sesame Street to Avenue Q
  A behind-the-scenes seminar on Michael’s career designing for the Muppets, theme parks, and more. Includes exclusive clips and tips for getting your designs approved.

• Puppet Building Techniques (Panel)
  A roundtable with industry pros covering construction methods like flat-pattern, foam carving, and sculpting.

• From Sesame Street to the Big Blue House to Avenue Q: Carving Out a Home in Puppet Design

  A seminar on how to get your start in puppet design and three crucial tips on how to get your designs noticed and approved.

• How to Win the Puppet Arms Race: Mastering Puppet Arm Rod Techniques
  A hands-on workshop where attendees practice using puppet arm rods to master smooth gestures, expressive movements, and more

• From Good to Great: Building Unforgettable Puppet Characters
  This workshop helps both beginners and veterans deepen their character work. Learn how to develop backstory, emotional range, and signature moves that bring your puppet to life.

• Puppet Building Techniques
  A seminar featuring industry experts (co‑hosted by Timothy Taylor, Stacey Gordon, Gordon Smuder, and Michael Schupbach) exploring key puppet-building methods such as wedge construction, flat patterning, sculpting, and more.