All posts by Margaret Moody

News & Events

Visiting Puppeteers in Taiwan

Tsai Su-jen is the troupe leader for the I Wan Jan Traditional Hand Puppet Troupe based in Sanchih, Taiwan.  She and her family also operate the Li Tien-lu Puppetry Museum, which I was very happy to visit in August. Su-jen is the daughter-in-law of Li Tien-lu and puts a lot of warm energy into burnishing his legacy.

ahhong

I also had the chance to see a performance by Chen Hsi-huang, who has been designated a “National Treasure” in Taiwan for puppet performance and puppet-making. Funny and beautiful!

Here is the view on a foggy morning from Yangmingshan, where I stayed with my father-in-law.

ymsroof

Shows

Cow and Mouse’s Picnic

To share or not to share, that is the question! Cow and Mouse have a terrific picnic, until Cow decides not to share his cookies. A magical twist in the story lets Cow try out different ways of being a friend. This interactive show is performed with original hand puppets and gentle humor. Best for ages three to seven. 25 – 30 minutes

About

About

Come soar with the Monkey King, fly with fairies, dig in the mud with a happy little pig. I love the way puppets carry us into different worlds with the flip of a hand.

On this site you’ll see photos of solo shows I perform in schools, museums, on playgrounds and in homes for groups of people ages 3 and up. I had the good luck to study traditional Taiwanese hand puppetry with the I Wan Jan Troupe. Watch for lively movements of that style in every show from Monkey King stories to farm adventures.

Mostly I perform in New England, making little journeys from my home in Arlington, Massachusetts. If you’re further away, e-mail me. I like big journeys, too.

News & Events

“Badger Meets the Fairies” in Dorchester 6/20

“Badger Meets the Fairies” tomorrow at First Teacher Summer Fun Day in the playground, 6 Shirley Street in Dorchester, 11:30am.
Thanks to Jacek Zuzanski for the new photo!

blossomtreesmall aboutmesmcrop

 

News & Events

“Mathilda’s Bath” and “Cow and Mouse’s Picnic” 3/14

Join Margaret Moody for two funny puppet shows this Saturday at 2pm at Arlington Center for the Arts. In “Mathilda’s Bath,” adapted from a Mrs. Piggle Wiggle story, Mathilda loves mud baths — but not the soapy kind. And in “Cow and Mouse’s Picnic” two friends share everything except dessert. Come for the show, stay for coffee and puppet-play.
Tickets are $7; 3 for $20. Please pay by cash or check at the door. Best for ages 3 and up.

This Saturday we team up with Arlington Center for the Arts to offer a “Puppets Together” workshop for families, after the show. Make puppets and perform with your family! More about the class: acarts.org/classes.php

News & Events

Farm and Town Fables

 

“Cow and Mouse’s Picnic” and “Mathilda’s Bath”
by Margaret Moody

Saturday, March 14 at 2pm
Arlington Center for the Arts
41 Foster Street
Tickets $7; 3 for $20
(tickets may be reserved via [email protected] or call Margaret at (781) 643-1228)

Spring is almost here. Cow and Mouse are frolicking at a picnic — but do they have to share their cookies? In in the second story, Mathilda wallows in the mud. Can Mom coax her into the tub? Join Margaret Moody for two funny fables for ages 3 and up. We hope you’ll stay around for puppet-play and coffee after the show.

On March 14, the Saturdays with Puppets series teams up with Arlington Center for the Arts to offer a puppet workshop after the show from 3 to 4:30. Make puppets with fabric and paper; then practice your show with your family. More info:acarts.org/classes.php

 

News & Events

Mischief with the Monkey King

Monkey Makes Mischief in Heaven
by Margaret Moody of Galapagos Puppets
 
Saturday 2/14 at 2pm
Arlington Center for the Arts
Tickets $7; 3 for $20, cash or check
(can be reserved by emailing [email protected]
or calling Margaret at (781) 643-1228)
Celebrate the Year of the Sheep with a funny Monkey King puppet show performed with traditional Taiwanese puppets and choreography. Please stay after to decorate and dance with a New Year lion. And drink a little oolong tea!
News & Events

Welcome the Year of the Goat! Show on 2/14

Lion dancing last year!

“Monkey Makes Mischief in Heaven” 
by Margaret Moody
Saturday, February 14 at 2pm
Arlington Center for the Arts theater
41 Foster Street
Tickets $7; 3 for $20
Come welcome the Year of the Goat with a lively Monkey King story and lion dancing!
About the story: The Monkey King is thrilled to have a job in the Heavenly peach garden but when he isn’t invited to a Heavenly banquet he flies off to make some mischief. Margaret Moody presents the story with traditional Taiwanese puppets and choreography — and traditional monkey humor.
About the lion dance: In Chinese communities people invite lion dancers to bring good luck to all. We invite you and your children to help decorate and dance with our lion.
Please stay for some oo-long tea as well.
To reserve tickets: please email Margaret at [email protected] or call her at (781) 643-1228.
News & Events

Warm Stories for a Cold Saturday

“Stories from Snowy Lands” by Sparky’s Puppets
Saturday, January 10 at 11am & 2pm
Arlington Center for the Arts theater
41 Foster Street, Arlington
Tickets $7; 3 for $20 (cash or check at the door)
Watch a snowman come to life and visit a toymaker’s shop through the gentle magic of Sparky’s Puppets. Children as young as 3 will enjoy Sparky’s funny shows. 
Show times are 11am and 2pm, tickets are $7 at the door. Enjoy puppet-play and coffee after either show.
After the 2pm show we invite you to stay for “Puppets Together,” a workshop for parents and children to make simple puppets and practice ways to use them in shows at home. Best for ages 4 and up. Show plus workshop: Parent/child pair: $30; Parent/child/child: $40. 3pm to 4:30.
For more information or to reserve tickets: call Margaret at (781) 643-1228 or email [email protected]