Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Red Herring Puppets Master Class in Puppet Fabrication & Manipulation

RED HERRING PUPPETS

Professional Workshop Series

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MasterClass in Puppet Fabrication & Manipulation

with Master Puppeteer Lisa Sturz

A Hands-On Professional Workshop in Foam Patterning & Character Creation

Red Herring Puppets is pleased to announce a two-part professional MasterClass workshop series led by Lisa Sturz, a master puppeteer with over 50 years of experience in puppet fabrication and performance. These intensive, hands-on workshops offer participants a rare opportunity to learn professional-level techniques in foam patterning and puppet construction.

Lisa Sturz has worked with some of the most prestigious names in the entertainment industry, including the Jim Henson Creature Shop, Disney Imagineering, Lucasfilm, and NBC. She has created large-scale puppet figures for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Atlanta Opera. Her film credits include Muppets in Space, Elmo in Grouchland, The Flintstones, Ninja Turtles III, Batman Returns, and more.

Click here for more information.

   

PART ONE: Patterning in Foam

📅 Sunday, March 1

🕐 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

$200

Limit: 12 Participants

Adults and older teens only

Goal: Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how to draft two-dimensional paper patterns to create various three-dimensional shapes, and will complete a finished puppet by the end of the session.

What You Will Learn

  • Paper Patterns: Lisa will present examples of a variety of shapes with their corresponding paper patterns, demonstrating how patterns are conceived and calibrated for three-dimensional construction.
  • Sculpting with Foam: Participants will follow guided patterns to create oranges, apples, pears, and banana shapes using markers, razor blades, and contact adhesive on soft foam.
  • Complete Puppet Build: Each participant will construct their own puppet with a moveable mouth and rod arms, adding features such as ears and nose, hand-sewing fleece head coverings, and sewing fur bodies with attached arms.

   

PART TWO: Build Your Own

📅 Sunday, March 15

🕐 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

$200

Limit: Limited

Part One or equivalent experience required

Goal: Participants will arrive with an original character design and, with expert guidance, draft custom patterns, construct their puppet, and leave with a completed figure or a clear plan for completion.

What You Will Learn

  • Custom Pattern Drafting: Lisa will work individually with each participant to sketch their character design to scale and draft paper patterns specific to their creation, including facial features like ears, horns, and snouts.
  • Foam Construction: Participants will cut, shape, and glue soft foam using contact adhesive to build the head and body of their custom character.
  • Articulated Arms: Participants will build and attach arms with swiveling rods for manipulation and performance.

Note: Completion will vary based on the complexity of the figure and the experience of the creator.

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Registration & Pricing

Workshop

Price

Part One: Patterning in Foam

$200.00

Part Two: Build Your Own

$200.00

Both Parts (Save $50!)

$350.00

All materials included: foam, contact adhesive, sewing and cutting tools, fur, fleece, and fabric.

Part One is a prerequisite for Part Two.

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How to Register

Email: lisa@redherringpuppets.com

Web: www.redherringpuppets.com/masterclass

Spaces are limited — register early to secure your spot!

Coming Soon

Future MasterClass topics include:

Simple Marionettes: Scarf Puppets  •  Puppet Manipulation on Camera

Animation with Overhead Projectors  •  Casting with Neoprene

 

 

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/

 

 

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