BC School Residency Workshops
Where Imagination Takes the Stage
Windy Hill Puppets brings the ancient art of puppetry into BC classrooms through immersive 5-day residency workshops — curriculum-aligned, creativity-driven, and unforgettable.
The Residency Program
Five Days That Encourage Creativity and Exploration
Over five school days, students take a journey from audience to performer. We learn different styles of puppetry by using a variety of puppets, we find our puppet voice, and perform with puppets. Every element of the workshop is woven into BC's Language Arts, Drama, and Social-Emotional Learning curriculum.
What Students Learn
A Stage Full of Skills
Drama
Students explore character, voice, and physical expression through their puppets — a safe, imaginative distance that unlocks even the most reluctant performer.
Storytelling
From plot structure to narrative arc, students craft and perform original stories, building literacy skills through the oldest form of human communication.
Improvisation
Quick thinking, active listening, and spontaneous creativity are at the heart of every session — skills that serve students far beyond the stage. They must actively listen to each other and adapt. When something doesn't work that's OK! There is no failure, only trying something new.
Creativity
Performers get to stretch creatively using the puppet theatre, scene work in groups, games, directed exercises, shadow puppets, sound effects, props and more. We build our skills to ensure confidence building and creative expression and problem solving.
Collaboration
Using the puppet theatre is ensemble work. Students learn to share the stage, support their peers, and build something together that none could create alone. They must actively listen to each other and adapt. When something doesn't work that's OK! There is no failure, only trying something new.
Why It Matters
When children pretend, they're using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero.
"Mr. Rogers"
Builds Confidence
Students who struggle to speak in front of peers find their voice through a puppet character — a documented outcome in drama-based learning research.
Oral Communication
The workshop directly supports BC curriculum goals for oral language development, active listening, and expressive communication.
Social-Emotional Growth
Empathy, perspective-taking, and emotional regulation are woven into every story students create and perform.
The Collection
Over a Hundred Characters, Ready to Perform
From hand puppets and rod puppets to shadow figures and full marionettes, the Windy Hill collection spans cultures, styles, and centuries of puppet-making tradition.
For Teachers, Administrators & PACs
Ready to Bring Windy Hill Puppets to Your School?
Residencies are available for Kindergarten through Grade 7 and can be tailored to your school's specific curriculum goals and scheduling needs. Spaces fill quickly — reach out early to secure your dates.