Inviting audience members to participate in your performance involves some risk. After all, you’re relinquishing control. But exploring and playing with the audience can also create interesting, fresh experiences that can keep you entertained, as well-- if there’s one thing that’s different at each show, it’s your audience! This lecture/demonstration will leave you with techniques to involve audiences of all sizes on a wide variety of levels, from seated participation to standing movements to onstage roles, all while avoiding pitfalls and maintaining control of the crowd.

Anna Sobel first trained with Blue Sky Puppet Theatre, a children’s puppet company based in Washington, DC. In 2003, she spent nine months in India on a Fulbright Fellowship to study puppetry as a tool for social change and education. She founded her one-woman company, Talking Hands Theatre, in 2004. Her shows are designed for children and focus on educational or social themes. She is based in Shutesbury, Massachusetts and tours all over New England.