Beyond the Sock: Puppetry for TV & Film Workshop | Department of Media Arts
April 12, 2016

Beyond the Sock: Puppetry for TV & Film Workshop

 June 7 - June 11, 2016.Beyond the Sock is an intensive, four and a half day workshop focusing on puppetry performance in television and film. Attendees have the unique opportunity to learn the manipulation of hand- and rod-style puppets from two of the top performers in the industry: Peter Linz and Noel MacNeal.

Attendees will also learn design and construction from master puppet builder Pasha Romanowski. Through a blend of small group instruction and hands-on training both aspiring and experienced puppeteers can develop their creative skills, discover new techniques, and learn to craft their own characters. Don't miss this unique opportunity!

Work hard. Play hard. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.

From Tuesday, June 7, to Saturday, June 11, the 2016 Beyond the Sock Workshop will encompass puppet design, building, and performance in UNT's Radio, TV, Film & Performing Arts Building (RTFP). The Department of Media Arts and Department of Dance & Theatre have again partnered to present this program of creativity with a dose of southern hospitality. You will have access to restaurants, lodging, and leisure activities in Denton -- one of the hippest towns in the DFW Metroplex and listed as one of the best college towns in America by U.S. News & World Report.

The Beyond the Sock Workshop is open to all skill levels. However, for the best experience, you must be comfortable with basic craft skills such as tracing and cutting patterns, handstitching, use of hobby knives, and use of hot glue guns. During performance training, you should also be able to stand and hold your arms overhead for extended periods of time.

Ready to sign-up or get more information?

Go online to the Beyond the Sock website or sign-up directly on the Event Registration Page. Since workshop class sizes are limited to maximize the experience, don't wait too long to decide to sign-up! All registrations must be completed online with a valid debit or credit card.

General registration is $1400; student registration is $850. Students must:

  • be currently enrolled in a college/university and be in good standing
  • provide proof of enrollment
  • provide letter of recommendation
  • be at least 18 years old

For additional information, email info@puppetclass.com.

Performance / Design & Construction Instructors

(y'know, the folks who do this for a living!)

Peter Linz.Peter Linz

  • Linz is a professional puppet performer has worked in film, theatre, and television using both hand-and-rod and full-body puppets. Trained by the Jim Henson Company, some of his most familiar roles include Theo from the PBS series Between the Lions and Tutter Mouse from Bear in the Big Blue House. His best known character is Walter from the 2012 Disney film The Muppets and 2014's Muppets Most Wanted. Linz is a longtime Muppet Performer on Sesame Street and was an original Broadway cast member of the hit musical Avenue Q.

Noel MacNeal

  • MacNeal is a Jim Henson Company trained puppet performer who has created numerous television and film characters using hand-and-rod and full-body puppets.Noel MacNeal. His most widely known role is that of Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House, and Lionel from the PBS series Between the Lions. MacNeal has also performed numerous characters for Sesame Street and various Sesame Street specials. His work has also been seen on HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and NBC's hit series 30 Rock. He is also a production consultant and head of MacNeal Entertainment, Inc., plus author of the children's craft books 10 Minute Puppets and Box.

Pasha RomanowskiPasha Romanowski

  • Romanowski is a puppet design consultant, master puppet builder, part-time puppet performer, and the owner of Project Puppet. In addition to creating patterns and tutorials for thousands of aspiring puppet builders throught ProjectPuppet.com, he also designs and builds high quality, custom puppets for television and film His numerous characters have been featured in productions across the world from the U.S. and Canada, to Australia and New Zealand.

Beyond the Sock Workshop.