Honourable Harvest
Theme: Creating large-scale puppets inspired by nature, reciprocity, and the idea of “take only that which is given.”
Participants: Young artists (approx. ages 8–16)
Outcome: A collaborative puppet ensemble and short performance piece exploring connection to Country, ocean, plants, animals, and community.
Week 1 — Stories from the Land & Ocean: Designing Our Creatures
Focus: Inspiration, storytelling and design
Introduction to the concept of honourable harvesting and gratitude
Explore local ecosystems and creatures as inspiration
Nature observation, sketching and character development
Create puppet design drawings
Assign roles: puppet builders, performers, storytellers, musicians
Creative outcome: Puppet concepts and character stories
Week 2 — Building the Skeleton: Bringing Puppets to Life
Focus: Puppet construction
Learn large-scale puppet-making techniques
Build lightweight frames using recycled materials
Create movement systems (handles, rods, joints)
Explore balance, weight and puppeteer teamwork
Materials: Bamboo/dowel, wire, cardboard, recycled materials, fabric
Creative outcome: Puppet structures ready for shaping
Week 3 — Texture, Colour & Character
Focus: Turning structures into living beings
Add fabric, paper, natural materials and textures
Paint and decorate puppets
Explore patterns inspired by Australian landscapes
Create masks, costumes or wearable puppet elements
Creative outcome: Completed puppet bodies and visual identity
Week 4 — Puppet Movement & Performance Skills
Focus: Learning to animate the puppets
Puppetry techniques: breath, rhythm, walking, flying, swimming
Working as a team to operate large puppets
Develop character movements
Experiment with sound, music and storytelling
Creative outcome: Puppet movement sequences
Week 5 — Creating the Story: Everything is a Gift
Focus: Performance creation
Develop a short participatory story
Incorporate songs, soundscapes and environmental messages
Rehearse scenes and transitions
Refine puppetry skills
Creative outcome: Draft performance piece
Week 6 — Rehearsal, Celebration & Sharing
Focus: Presentation
Final puppet rehearsals
Performance preparation
Reflection on the creative process
Showcase for families/community or festival audience
Creative outcome: Final puppet performance
Skills Developed
Puppet design and construction
Creative problem solving
Collaboration and leadership
Environmental storytelling
Performance and communication skills
Recycled material design
Connection to place and community
Final outcome: A youth-created puppet ensemble that celebrates the natural world and shares the message that everything we receive from the Earth is a gift that comes with responsibility.