Marionette Making at The Church

Kim Profaci of the Modern Marionette Company will lead a marionette-making workshop on Sunday, November 13, at 2 p.m. at The Church in Sag Harbor. Inspired by The Church’s current exhibition “Hand Made,” the workshop will be a magical, hands-on experience that will lift imaginations and excite creativity.

The workshop will begin with a brief introduction of marionettes and the art of puppetry. Participants and spectators will gather around for a demonstration of various techniques as Profaci and her marionettes perform the tale of “Strega Nona.” Following the performance, Profaci will guide participants through the process of creating a scarf puppet, allowing everyone to leave with a marionette of their own creation. The session will conclude with an open discussion of puppetry and the possibilities of marionette creation and fabrication.

Kim Profaci and the Modern Marionette Company have been capturing the imagination of young, old and everyone in between for over 20 years. The craft of puppet-making and the art of teaching and performing come naturally to Profaci. She was raised in Irvington, New York in a highly creative family of artists and educators. She earned her bachelor’s in English from Boston College and her master’s in education from Fordham University. And in modern dance class, she developed a fascination for movement and an understanding of body language and nuance that are central to puppetry.

Profaci envisions and builds the puppets, props and sets using every imaginable resource. Driftwood becomes a puppet’s limbs, blades of grass morph into a praying mantis, and scarves take on a life of their own. She adapts classic stories and has developed her own take on music legend Elvis Presley. “It’s a great joy for me to inspire children to want to create for themselves,” Profaci said. “And to watch adults look on with a sense of wonder is a special experience all its own.”

The cost of the workshop is $45. All necessary materials will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring specific decorations or elements which they would like to incorporate into their scarf puppet design. The workshop is for adults seeking a joyful experience in a historic whimsical craft and an introduction for children into the beautiful art of puppetry. Ages 8 and up are welcome and encouraged to register. Children must be accompanied by an adult (the adult need not participate in the workshop). To register, visit thechurchsagharbor.org. The Church is at 48 Madison Street in Sag Harbor.