The Puppet Project!
This spring, we hosted The Puppet Project and it was INCREDIBLE!
What is The Puppet Project?!
The Puppet Project is
a creative experience
designed for kids + their grown-ups!
A chance to get creative, meet other families,
and learn from people in our own neighbourhood
- who are highly skilled and passionate about what they do.
So let’s introduce you to
Jordi Mand and Marcus Jamin…
Jordi Mand is one of the most sought after writers for theatre and TV in Canada. Her globally acclaimed plays have been translated and published internationally. She absolutely loves storytelling, and she’s the sweetest person you’ll ever meet.
Marcus Jamin is an award winning puppet designer, builder, performer, and director. He has worked on all kinds of puppets - marionettes, hand and rod, glove, and many more. Not only has he worked on puppets of all shapes and sizes for some of Canada’s leading theatre companies, he’s also been a part of several TV and commercial puppet projects. It’s fun to see him doing what he loves.
And me, well, I’m Lainie! I’m the founder and creator of LYKKE Kids TM. The visionary behind the magical space that brings people together through play and creativity.
Together, with Marcus and Jordi, we created, The Puppet Project!
How did you come up with the idea?
Jordi and Marcus live in the neighbourhood, and we’ve loved getting to know them through their visits to LYKKE Kids with their daughter.
Last March, when they both shared what they did for a living, I couldn’t help but think, how cool would it be to do something together for kids…
Then one day, I had a conversation with someone visiting the space with her niece. She told me about how she still remembered back in elementary school, her class had a puppeteer visit their classroom. She loved it so much and still thinks about it to this day.
It made me think about kids and the impact of meeting grown-ups who have professions in the arts. Myself, I still remember having a guest visit our classroom in grade 3. She taught us how to create our own books; we created our own hardcovers with cardboard and wallpaper, learned to write a dedication page, and then used a needle and thread to bind stories we had written. I still love books and writing.
So when Jordi was in one day, I said, “I have an idea and want to plant a little seed with you. Would it be okay if I sent you an email with what I’m thinking?” She was so excited and happy to be asked.
When our kids were in bed, we hopped on Zoom calls and started to brainstorm and figure out the details. And what came out of our creative process together was an experience for families that was so incredibly sweet…
On Sunday, March 30th, families came together at LYKKE Kids to design their own puppets and bring them to life with the support of Marcus + Jordi!
Then on Sunday, April 27th, we hosted another session for big kids! It was so neat to see what kids could do (of all different ages) through the same creative process. Made me think of universal design. Anyways, it was fun :)
Highlights from the sessions:
two little ones becoming quick friends. They met for the first time at The Puppet Project, and at the end, went to find each other to say good-bye before going home.
watching the kids dance and twirl around the space with their puppets to Taylor Swift (a favourite in the group) + watching the parents dance along too
with the big kids, seeing a group of friends creating together (friends from the same school whose parents signed them up to have the experience together)
the laughter and fun in the session with the older kids, the characters and personas they created were hilarious
seeing how excited and confident the kids were to perform for a live audience
watching the kids make their puppets bow at the end of their performances
watching parents play with the puppets and their kids asking, “What are you doing?” Parents, “we’re playing too!”
seeing everyone gathered around the art studio table together
the ooohs and aaahs, when the marionette puppets came flying in from above
the awwwws, when the kids introduced their characters to one another
the collaboration and sharing amongst families while creating, “what do you need? Here are scissors! Has anyone seen…”
seeing how incredible Marcus and Jordi were with the kids. They created such a warm and inviting space. They were silly with the kids and got lots of giggles with the puppet “butt shaking” :) The way they supported the kids in crafting their little performances, down on the floor chatting with them. The time they spent in getting to know the kids’ interests and favourites so they could incorporate them into the session was amazing.
having families in the neighbourhood arrive to join in as audience members! Seeing little ones sitting on grandparents laps or cuddling with parents to watch the live show.
the excitement of the After Party!
seeing 8, 9, and 10 year olds enjoying the sandbox (this age group is not too old to play!)
seeing excited kids going home with their puppets
hearing families saying good bye to each other and “it was nice to meet you!” “Hope to see you around the neighbourhood!”
watching kids walk their puppets down the sidewalk, past grown-ups who couldn’t help but smile
and overall, that the kids had the experience of designing their own puppets with two people who absolutely love what they do. For them to meet a real life puppet designer and builder, and someone who loves storytelling. I bet they’ll remember it for a long time.
So Why a Professional Puppet Designer + Builder and Playwright for a kids’ session?
Some might wonder why I’d ask a professional puppet designer / builder and a playwright to facilitate a session for kids as young as 4 - 6 years old?
It’s exactly who should spend time with kids. So kids can grow up seeing “the arts” as a profession. There are men / women / people who use their creative skills and passions to make a living wage. Art isn’t just a hobby or a nice thing to do. It brings the world comfort, joy, and so much more (like the books we love to read, the shows we love to watch, the music we dance and sing to… all because of professions in the arts).
And we have incredibly talented and skilled people living right in our own neighbourhood! How amazing for kids (and grown-ups) to meet and learn from them. Then to see each other around the neighbourhood afterwards and know each other by name. It’s why we’re here - to help create those connections. And I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Marcus and Jordi better through our time together in the space.
Marcus, Jordi, and I
A huge THANK YOU to Marcus and Jordi. You’re good people. Collectively, we created such a neat experience for kids + their families. Can’t wait for more puppet making and butt shaking with you both :)
Our next Puppet Project
is happening on
Sunday, June 8th
2 - 5 p.m.
(ages 4 - 6)
Sign up is here
The LYKKE Kids Collective
is all about connecting kids + families in the neighbourhood
through fun, collective experiences created by
incredibly skilled and creative people.