Storytelling with shadow puppets for all ages

Since arriving in the Fermanagh & Omagh District on at the start of July, Artsland Artist in Residence, Randel McGee and his wife Marsha from California, USA, have been busy sharing their skills in storytelling using shadow puppets at summer schemes at Strathroy and Hospital Road Community Centres.

Randel, a performing artist and teacher with decades of experience in live performances, workshops, and artist residencies throughout the USA and Asia, is based in An Creagan Centre, from July to September. His programmes have been praised not only for their entertaining nature, but also for their inspirational and educational content. Randal has years of experience sharing his expertise in using performing arts, such as storytelling, puppetry, and ventriloquism, to enhance educational goals, such as cultural enrichment and language fluency.

Randel and his wife Marsha have worked extensively with both children and adults in developing talents in performing arts. They have been college teachers and workshop directors for regional and national library, school, educational and cultural organizations. Their style is friendly and easily applied in most school and community settings.

A free masterclass, facilitated by Randal and Marsha and focusing on how to design and create shadow puppets to tell a story, will take place on Wednesday 31 July from 10.30 – 12.30 pm in Strule Arts Centre, Omagh. This is aimed at all teachers, youth leaders, art facilitators or anyone interested in learning more about the art of shadow puppetry. Booking is essential and places can be booked by visiting the Strule Arts Centre website at www.struleartscentre.co.uk.

Places are also still available on the Summer Scheme in Strule Arts Centre from 19 -23 August.