WRITE A PLAY --- MAKE A PUPPET

PLAY CONTEST:

Tri-state area children in grades 3-6 are eligible to enter the Fever River Puppeteers 5^th annual Puppet Playwriting Contest.

The deadline for entries is Saturday, Jan. 30. Kids can send original stories suitable for the puppet stage to: Puppet Playwriting Contest, c/o 362 E. Main St., Benton, WI 53803 or emailed to voight@mhtc.net. Winning entries will be performed Saturday, June 5, during the Day of Puppetry at the Hazel Green Opera House.

Each entry must include:

Name, age, address and phone number

Grade in school, name of school.

Be original. Use your imagination (not Sponge Bob's or Disney's). You can, however, use our characters:

Bossy, Witch Hazel, Farmer Boy, Pig, Goose, etc.

Don't worry -- we have lots of princesses and puppets who came become someone else with a costume change. Try not to have too many characters on stage at the same time. We only have 2 hands!

Older kids can try to write in play script form. But don't just write dialogue. Puppets must move. Have them do interesting things.

If you have any questions, send us an email at voight@mhtc.net or call 608-759-4425.

Note: We're trying an earlier deadline this year to give us more time to prepare.

MARIONETTE CLASS

We will host a marionette-making class for adults as well as children ages 9 and older.

Classes will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6 and 13, with a makeup day/extra session Feb. 20, at the Hazel Green Opera House, 2130 Main St., Hazel Green, Wis. The extra day is in case of snow and because some people work faster than others.

The $25 fee includes a wooden control and all materials. You can pay half on the first Saturday, and half the second. The project will include simple sewing activities; adult helpers are recommended for children ages 9-12. They can help kids who might not be able to thread a needle or need a little guidance.

Adults are welcome to attend on their own.

Registration is absolutely required by calling 608-759-4425 or contacting voight@mhtc.net.

Bring a sack lunch. A refrigerator is available and the coffee pot will be on. The opera house is likely to be a little cool, so bring a sweater or sweatshirt, but wear clothes you don't mind getting paint or glue on.

You'll be making a character of your choice -- human or at least two-legged! I will have a variety of fabrics and other materials available, but feel free to add any embellishments for your special creation. You'll need to have a character in mind. Feel free to bring a sketch.