How Could the Power of Puppetry Benefit Your Organization?

Apply to Be Featured in the Rapid Idea Generation (RIG) Session at Puppet Power 2025!

WP Puppet Theatre is offering a FREE opportunity for all Calgary-based organizations working in education, community service, or helping professions.

Puppets do more than entertain. They ignite connection, communication, and healing. They:

Break down barriers

• Open the door to big feelings and honest conversations
• Inspire joy, empathy, and understanding across all ages
• Imagine what puppetry could bring to your organization:

A performance? A mascot? A community or team building workshop? A fundraiser?

We’re looking for two organizations to feature in our Rapid Idea Generation (RIG) at Puppet Power 2025. In this fun and engaging session, a panel of experienced puppeteers and artists will collaborate with you to brainstorm creative, practical ways puppetry can support your mission. Using the principles of Arts for Social Change as well as storytelling, dialogue, and audience participation, we’ll explore ideas tailored just for you.

This is not a sales pitch or funding request. It’s a free creative consultation — and an exciting opportunity to reimagine how puppetry can help you fulfill your mission.

How to Apply:

1.        Submit your interest in using puppets, in any way, by September 15, 2025.

2.        If selected, you’ll give a brief introduction to your organization during the RIG session.

Not selected?  You’ll still get:

·      One free ticket to attend the session in person, or free access to the event recording

·      Event Date: October 19, 2025, 1:00–4:00 PM

·      Location: Calgary Centre for Newcomers – Auditorium

·      Regular Tickets: $35 per person (free if you submit an idea!)

Love the ideas we come up with?
If you’re excited to bring one to life, we’ll gladly support you in developing it i.e.: co-write for funding, help with artistic development, train your staff or volunteers in puppetry skills.

 

An example:

In our 2013 RIG session, we featured the Calgary Schizophrenia Society. They shared a powerful metaphor — that living with schizophrenia felt like walking a tightrope across a landscape of glass. This vivid image sparked the imagination of our panelists. Drawing on their ideas, WPT artists Allan Rosales and Wendy Passmore-Godfrey developed The Healing Ointment — an online exhibit and resource directory. The project visually represented various mental health diagnoses through compelling art installations, while also providing information and support resources. You can explore the evocative exhibit.
https://www.wppuppet.com/articles/healing-ointment

 

What is Rapid Ideation?
The purpose of rapid ideation is to produce an abundance of ideas in a short amount of time unconstrained by judgements or perceived limitations. Rapid ideation promotes out-of-the-box thinking and creativity, and can lead to highly innovative and perhaps unanticipated solutions to complex problems.