Build a Large-Scale Rod Puppet
from Start to Finish
Large-scale puppets have long been part of celebrations, protests, parades and theatre traditions around the world. They are bold images in motion—tools for storytelling that can transform public space and gather communities together.
About the Workshop
Rod puppets are powerful and practical performance objects: they are animated by a single puppeteer and typically consist of a sculpted head mounted on a wooden rod, with flowing fabric that both enhances movement and partially or fully conceals the puppeteer. Some designs may also include a movable arm attached to a secondary rod.
Participants will design and build their own rod puppet using clay, papier-mâché, wood, and reclaimed fabric. The process includes sculpting, structural building, painting, costuming, and introductory animation.
Participants will design and build their own rod puppet using clay, papier-mâché, wood, and reclaimed fabric. The process includes sculpting, structural building, painting, costuming, and introductory animation.
Location
Raucous Caucus Cll, 875 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON M6H 3K8
Volunteer Puppeteers
Pick up puppets between 5:45 and 6pm
Event DateS & Time
Thursday, April , 6:30–9:00pm Saturday, May 2, 11am to 3pm
Raucous Caucus Collective Studio 219 Augusta, Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2L4
Lanterns & Noisemakers
The whole journey is 660 meters long and is approximately a 50-minute event with multiple performance and resting stops along park paths and sidewalks. We will be travelling at an easy, relaxed pace so that we can enjoy the journey and the night together.
Distance
Warm Drinks & Snacks
Available at the Dufferin Grove Rink House Cafe
Lanterns & Puppets
You are welcome to bring your own lantern or candle — or borrow one of our handmade Clay & Paper lanterns.
We have luminous stars, head dresses, costume tops, and glowing puppets available for anyone to use.
Lantern pick-up: 6-6:15pm Location: Dufferin Grove Rink House
Workshops - Join us in the days leading up to the walk.
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Lantern Making Workshops - FULL
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Tin Ornament Community Studio
Volunteer as a Puppeteer
Help animate our puppets during the procession!
Volunteers arrive between 5:30–6:00pm to meet their puppet and get familiar with it.
Event Map & Accessibility
The route uses park asphalt paths and sidewalks and is flat and level
The Rink House offers:
automatic doors
four private public washrooms + accessible washroom
a heated interior
The Skating rink is open and skates are available for rental
If you have any other questions please email Clay and Paper Theatre at clayandpaper@gmail.com
Music will guide us through this year’s Winter Solstice Walk, and we’re grateful to be joined by a group of extraordinary musicians and longtime collaborators.
Each brings a distinct voice to the journey. From instrumental music leading the procession, to song greeting us in the Grove during the Ceremony of the Animals, to communal singing at the return of the Sun, their sounds will shape the pace, mood, and shared experience of the walk.
We’re honoured to gather again with musicians who have been part of Clay & Paper Theatre’s work across many seasons and celebrations.
Musical Guests
Jim Bish - Saxophonist & procession musician
Bruce MacKinnon - Accordionist & procession musician
Alan Gasser (singer, conductor) & the Echo Women's Choir
Andrea Kuzmich - Singer, conductor, guitarist
