Theatre with Youth

Seth uses puppetry and mask performance to teach and perform Theatre with Youth.  His general teaching philosophy is to design a process where youth are able to have as much input as possible into the creative process.  He often uses performance as a means to teach nature education or emphasize elements of the curriculum while still allowing freedom for youth to do whatever allows them to shine.  He has worked with and designed programs for preschool youth ages 4-6 at Silverwood Park, lower elementary school in grades 1-3, upper elementary school in grades 4-5 through In the Heart of the Beast, and also has done long-term programs with high school students, including teaching for the North Dakota Governor's School for the Performing Arts.  

Oh the Places We'll Go at St. Anthony Park Elementary School

This was a puppet and mask production through In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre.  The three fifth grade classes at St. Anthony Park Elementary created masks, puppets, and a backdrop in order to perform a version of Dr. Seuss' Oh the Places You'll Go!  This was a residency completed over the course of three weeks on site at the school and performed outdoors.  

War Horse Make-N-Take Puppet Design

When the play War Horse came to Minneapolis, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre commissioned Madeline Helling and I to design a puppet for audience members to make and take with them before the performance.  After the puppet was designed, other teaching artists assisted in facilitating the creation of the horses with the audience including Lynette LaRue, Tina Nemetz, Bart Buch, Jason Rodney, and Kat Luna.  Photos below are courtesy of Heidi B Photography.  

The New Governor's Revue:  Governor's School for the Performing Arts Production Assistant and Puppet Creation

The elephant and yeti were created with high school students in Governor's School for the Performing Arts.  All of the acts and dances for this performance were devised and collaborated with other members of the production team and the students themselves.