What do snowflakes and puppets have in common? 

The Snowflake Man Puppet Show

Say goodbye to winter with this amazing Trunk Show illustrating the life of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the local farmer and scientist who discovered that “no two snowflakes are alike.”

 “The Snowflake Man,” features marionettes and pop-up watercolor scenery, highlighting Wilson’s wonderful discoveries along with striking views of nature.

This show coincides with an exhibit of Wilson’s photographs and other memorabilia, and is presented in  conjunction with the Fairbanks Museum.

All Ages Welcome.

PuppetKabob’s The Snowflake Man swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of water color scenery. This UNIMA-USA award winning show combines art, science, and a little known piece of Vermont history to magical effect! 

Curl up for the cozy, wintery tale of “The Snowflake Man” and be blissfully lost in a world of marionettes, miniatures, pop-up paper art, music, storytelling, and a bit of New England history told with fun, dramatic, and personal touches.

Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley– the self-educated farmer and scientist– attracted worldwide attention in 1885 by adapting a bellows camera to a compound microscope. Not only did Bentley become the first person to capture the image of a single snow crystal, he coined the phrase “no two snowflakes are alike. 

Inspired by Bentley, this unique trunk show features beautifully designed Czech-style marionettes and a pop-up book of striking watercolor scenery. The tiny details of this production, when placed next to the intricate designs within a snow crystal, bring harmony and focus to the wondrous beauty of the minute in nature. 

The story of The Snowflake Man is inspired by Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the self-educated farmer and scientist who attracted world attention when he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. The SnowflakeMan swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of water color scenery. This UNIMA-USA award winning show combines art, science, and a little known piece of New England history to magical effect!

$4 Tickets can be purchased in advance through Eventbrite or the day of at the museum admissions desk.

Inside the Arts Center, visit the art exhibit “Mechanical Marvels” and create some simple “sweet” crafts to take home. Make your own hot chocolate, adding toppings and flavors galore! Then bundle up and enjoy a walk though our lights display “Sweet Adventures” featuring giant lollipops, candy canes, butterflies and gingerbread. Then at 7:00 pm, enjoy a puppet show about Snowflake Bentley — the man who first photographed a snowflake!
Schedule:
$5 Sunday, December 17 6:00 – 8:00 pm Winter Lights Walk open
+ 6:00 – 7:15 pm Crafts & hot chocolate in the lobby (plan for 15-20 mins)
+ 7:00 Puppet show: Snowflake Bentley
8:00 pm Event ends

This winter, the Arts Center invites you to learn about the man who first photographed snowflakes! The story of The Snowflake Man is inspired by Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the self-educated farmer and scientist who attracted world attention when he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal.

The Snowflake Man swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of water color scenery. This UNIMA-USA award winning show combines art, science, and a little known piece of American history to magical effect!

Purchase a ticket for the show only, or join us for a snowflake tea party! Two tea sittings are offered — one at 12 pm before the 1 pm show or and one at 2:00 pm after the puppet show.

$5 Sunday, December 17 1:00 pm Puppet show only
$10 Sunday December 17 12:00 pm Tea and 1:00 pm puppet show
$10 Sunday December 17 1:00 pm Puppet show and 2:00 pm Tea

This winter, come chill at the Black Cherry Puppet Theater for the wintery tale of The Snowflake Man and be blissfully lost in a world of marionettes, miniatures, pop-up paper art, jazzy music, and live storytelling.

Inspired by Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley - pioneer of snowflake photography, this unique trunk show features beautifully designed Czech-style marionettes and a pop-up book of striking watercolor scenery.

PuppetKabob swings audiences into the historic 1920s as the tiny details in this UNIMA-USA award winning show bring harmony and focus to the wondrous beauty of the minute in nature combined with a little known piece of rural American history to magical effect! 

Paper cut-out by the incredible Katherine Fahey

Tickets: children $5, adults $15 (or $10 hardship)

Click on BLACK CHERRY for tickets!

The Snowflake Man show at Black Cherry Puppet Theater will be followed by a Puppet Social at 3:30pm with tea & biscuits AND a Master Artist Presentation exploring of the process behind the creation of The Snowflake Man with creators Sarah Frechette and Jason Thibodeaux!

Bring something sweet to share!

Black Cherry will provide tea, although folks are welcome to bring their favorite blend.

Admission to the Puppet Social is sliding scale with suggested donation of $5, $10 or $15

Click here for tickets to the Puppet Social & Presentation!

Schattentheater: Die Metamorphose des Frosches mit Puppetkabob

“I Love Frogs” performance + two hour Shadow Puppet workshop for current & prospective students!

Curl up for the cozy, wintery tale of “The Snowflake Man” and be blissfully lost in a world of marionettes, miniatures, pop-up paper art, music, storytelling, and a bit of New England history told with fun, dramatic, and personal touches.

Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley– the self-educated farmer and scientist– attracted worldwide attention in 1885 by adapting a bellows camera to a compound microscope. Not only did Bentley become the first person to capture the image of a single snow crystal, he coined the phrase “no two snowflakes are alike. 

Inspired by Bentley, this unique trunk show features beautifully designed Czech-style marionettes and a pop-up book of striking watercolor scenery. The tiny details of this production, when placed next to the intricate designs within a snow crystal, bring harmony and focus to the wondrous beauty of the minute in nature. 

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me: is a groovalicious coming of age tale, told through handcrafted paper pop-up theatre by Sarah Frechette & foley artist Jason Thibodeaux.

Twist & shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell (creator Sarah’s actual Mom who coined the title and stars in the show as a paper puppet!) as she hands down lessons about sewing, fashion, and friendship. And finds that the trick to fitting in — is to not fit in at all!

This far out show is a colorful blend of historical fiction, ’60s pop culture, and technicolored confetti!

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me: is a groovalicious coming of age tale, told through handcrafted paper pop-up theatre by Sarah Frechette & foley artist Jason Thibodeaux.

Twist & shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell (creator Sarah’s actual Mom who coined the title and stars in the show as a paper puppet!) as she hands down lessons about sewing, fashion, and friendship. And finds that the trick to fitting in — is to not fit in at all!

This far out show is a colorful blend of historical fiction, ’60s pop culture, and technicolored confetti!

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me: is a groovalicious coming of age tale, told through handcrafted paper pop-up theatre by Sarah Frechette & foley artist Jason Thibodeaux.

Twist & shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell (creator Sarah’s actual Mom who coined the title and stars in the show as a paper puppet!) as she hands down lessons about sewing, fashion, and friendship. And finds that the trick to fitting in — is to not fit in at all!

This far out show is a colorful blend of historical fiction, ’60s pop culture, and technicolored confetti!

The story of The Snowflake Man is inspired by Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, the self-educated farmer and scientist who attracted world attention when he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. The Snowflake Man swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of water color scenery. This UNIMA-USA award winning show combines art, science, and a little known piece of New England history to magical effect!

So Crafty Together: Franklin explores Bradford

Puppetkabob will read “Franklin’s Neighborhood” by Bourgeois & Clark. Taking inspiration from the book, kids will draw a picture of what they like best about their community in the form of a 3D Paper Toy Theater. Kids will then create a paper rod puppet of Franklin to explore!

So Crafty Together: Franklin explores Williston

Puppetkabob will read “Franklin’s Neighborhood” by Bourgeois & Clark. Taking inspiration from the book, kids will draw a picture of what they like best about their community in the form of a 3D Paper Toy Theater. Kids will then create a paper rod puppet of Franklin to explore!

Vintage style Folded-Face Puppets

Kids will learn a special paper folding technique used by PK to create Under The Sea themed moving-mouth puppets!

Look for us under the shade of the big tree on the Heritage House lawn!

The story of The Snowflake Man is inspired by Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, the self-educated farmer and scientist who attracted world attention when he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. The Snowflake Man swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of water color scenery. This UNIMA-USA award winning show combines art, science, and a little known piece of American history to magical effect!

Popsicles will be handed out by the Chamber of Commerce after the performance!

So Crafty Together: Franklin explores South Hero

Puppetkabob will read “Franklin’s Neighborhood” by Bourgeois & Clark. Taking inspiration from the book, kids will draw a picture of what they like best about their community in the form of a 3D Paper Toy Theater. Kids will then create a paper rod puppet of Franklin to explore!

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me is a paper doll and pop-up extravaganza! This one-of-a-kind show for families is a groovy blend of historical fiction, ‘60s pop culture, and colorful confetti. Twist and shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell as she finds the trick to fitting in, and discovers the best way is to not actually fit at all!

All ages welcome, recommended for 4+
Paper pop-up puppets

This presentation was funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me is a paper doll and pop-up extravaganza! This one-of-a-kind show for families is a groovy blend of historical fiction, ‘60s pop culture, and colorful confetti. Twist and shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell as she finds the trick to fitting in, and discovers the best way is to not actually fit at all!

All ages welcome, recommended for 4+
Paper pop-up puppets

This presentation was funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me is a paper doll and pop-up extravaganza! This one-of-a-kind show for families is a groovy blend of historical fiction, ‘60s pop culture, and colorful confetti. Twist and shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell as she finds the trick to fitting in, and discovers the best way is to not actually fit at all!

All ages welcome, recommended for 4+
Paper pop-up puppets

This presentation was funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me is a paper doll and pop-up extravaganza! This one-of-a-kind show for families is a groovy blend of historical fiction, ‘60s pop culture, and colorful confetti. Twist and shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell as she finds the trick to fitting in, and discovers the best way is to not actually fit at all!

All ages welcome, recommended for 4+
Paper pop-up puppets

This presentation was funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

This hands-on family workshop is inspired by paper arts innovations of the ‘70s. Participants will learn to engineer paper to create their own moving mouth puppets, inspired by an “Ocean of Possibilities” theme. Dive under the sea to draw the big mouth of a hammerhead shark then add triangular teeth to complete the design, or switch to pink to add flippers and a fluke to create a swimming dolphin! Cut yellow tentacles with orange spots to make the suction cups of a dancing octopus! Anything is possible and this project is great for all creative levels.

All ages welcome, recommended for 4 - 7 and their grown-ups

Two sessions to choose from!

Session 1: Sat May 6 | 11:00 am
Session 2: Sat May 13 | 11:00 am

Call the Puppet Showplace Theater to register today!

CLOSED SHOW for SCHOOLS ONLY

Call Puppet Showplace to book a field trip for your community group or school.

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me is a paper doll and pop-up extravaganza! This one-of-a-kind show for families is a groovy blend of historical fiction, ‘60s pop culture, and colorful confetti. Twist and shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell as she finds the trick to fitting in, and discovers the best way is to not actually fit at all!

This presentation was funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

Making and Manipulation

Learn how to build your own Roser-style scarf marionette and bring it to life in this hands-on workshop! Award-winning artist Sarah Frechette will share wisdom from the String Academy, drawing on her years of study with German master puppeteer Albrecht Roser. You'll be amazed at how simple, elegant, and expressive a marionette can be. All participants will take home a completed scarf marionette and the basic movement vocabulary needed to create a solo performance.

Recommended for adults 18+

Thursdays May 4 & 11 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Call the Puppet Showplace to register today!

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me is a paper doll and pop-up extravaganza! This one-of-a-kind show for families is a groovy blend of historical fiction, ‘60s pop culture, and colorful confetti. Twist and shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell as she finds the trick to fitting in, and discovers the best way is to not actually fit at all!

All ages welcome, recommended for 4+
Paper pop-up puppets

This presentation was funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

She Thinks She’s Queen Elizabeth But She’s Dirty Gerts To Me is a paper doll and pop-up extravaganza! This one-of-a-kind show for families is a groovy blend of historical fiction, ‘60s pop culture, and colorful confetti. Twist and shout with middle schooler Carol Lee Bell as she finds the trick to fitting in, and discovers the best way is to not actually fit at all!

All ages welcome, recommended for 4+
Paper pop-up puppets

This presentation was funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.