Puppetry 101: Adult Workshop

Improv + Puppets = Magic

Presented by Nashville Puppet Collective(opens in a new tab) and Gnu Tales(opens in a new tab)

with Max Kemp and John Yates

This workshop introduces adults to the fundamentals of puppet performance in a supportive, playful environment. Whether you’re an improviser, actor, comedian, or total beginner, you’ll leave with practical skills and a deeper appreciation for the craft.

We’ll cover:

• Core principles of puppet focus and breath
• Voice exploration and character development
• Partner work and simple scene building
• Tips for performing puppets in comedy settings

No prior experience required, just curiosity and a willingness to play! Attendees may bring their own puppets but it is not required. Each attendee will go home with their own peepers to practice their new skills with!

John Yates is a puppeteer, filmmaker, and founder of the Nashville Puppet Collective. A lifelong performer, John began puppeteering as a child and has since brought his passion to stages and screens alike. Based in Nashville, TN, he performs with Gnu Tales, an improvised children’s fairy tale show that blends humor, heart, and audience-driven storytelling. He also produces and directs short films featuring puppetry, crafting cinematic tales that are as expressive as they are handmade. With a rich background in improv comedy and a deep love for immersive theater, John’s work often blurs the line between performer and participant, inviting audiences to play alongside the puppets. An enthusiastic educator, John leads puppeteering workshops that celebrate the art form's creativity and collaborative spirit.

Max Kemp is the assistant director of the Third Coast Training Center, and the director of Gnu Tales (an improvised kids show, with puppets!) and Gnu Tales: After Dark (the much more explicit adult version of the show). They've been puppeteering since childhood and became passionate about the intersection of improv and puppetry after a class with Underhanded Improv.

Questions? Or need the employee or house team discount code? Email Max Kemp at trainingcenter@thirdcoastcomedyclub.com

Saturday, May 2nd 3:15-6:15 p.m. in the Annex