Join Bonnie Duncan, Andrew G. Cooper, Chad Williams, and Wendy Passmore-Godfrey, in a lively conversation around reinvigorating and reimagining the work we do with our audiences!

"Renegotiated and re-imagined ideas of access, community and interactivity, borne out of necessity, are an opportunity to rethink theatre. These should not be ignored when the return to public spaces happens: rather, they should inform theatre’s future." - The Conversation (https://theconversation.com)

Whether you are an artist, teacher, or other professional who is or did engage audiences online, this conversation will explore how we continue to think about our practices and what audiences’ needs and dreams are whether in-person or online delivery. What have we learned from our online engagements?

Celebrate how we have pivoted and continue to reimagine program delivery within the Arts, Puppetry, and Education. With endless opportunities around engaging audiences, this discussion includes time for audience questions and answers.

Accessibility: This live online session will be presented with auto-generated English captions.

A bit about the Artists:

Bonnie Duncan has blended puppetry, dance, and physical theatre in surprising and delightful ways for the past 20 years. She heads up The Gottabees whose mission is to inspire community, connection, and autonomy by providing an outlet for families to giggle, gasp, sigh, and cheer in forty-five minutes or less. Their stories reflect children's everyday aspirations, concerns, and emotional experiences. The Gottabees’ work has been performed in 18 states, 5 countries, for over 36,000 people and awarded an UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence, the highest award in puppetry in North America.

Andrew G. Cooper, (pronouns: they/he) puppeteer, theatre creator, and filmmaker, has worked extensively as a puppet director, designer, and builder. Andrew made their television debut as a puppeteer on The Jim Henson Company’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock on Apple TV+. Their work has won multiple awards and has been seen across Canada and around the world in Sydney, Chicago, and Dubai. As an artist, Andrew focuses on the creation of new works with emphasis on interdisciplinary art and storytelling through physical media such as dance, puppetry, and mask. Andrew is the president of the Canadian Academy of Masks and Puppetry.

Chad Williams, a recognized leader in his field, is one of a few professional puppeteers in the USA who specializes in hand puppets. He toured and taught puppetry internationally and is a current Fulbright Specialist. He has written, directed, and performed over 15 puppet plays for family audiences with hundreds of shows every year. Currently a current board member of UNIMA-USA, a member of an improv troupe, he hosted puppet game shows for families at Mount Sinai Children's Hospital for 10 years.

Wendy Passmore-Godfrey (pronouns: she/her) is a visual artist and writer. Wendy animates the inanimate, literally and figuratively, her curiosity spans the wonder of science, whimsy of imagination, and examines the ‘why’ in the world we live in through various mediums. She founded WP Puppet Theatre with the vision to use the power of puppetry to impact positive social change. As Artistic and Executive Director she initiated various programs such as the award winning VIEW from the Inside and Puppet Power:Festival of Ideas. As principal performer and creator, she’s taught 1000's of hours of puppetry arts workshops and toured over 20 original puppet productions nationally and overseas.

This event is also available as part of our Puppet Power: Festival of Ideas All Access Pass and Event Recording Package.