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COMMUNITY OUTREACHDragon Theater performed by museum's puppet group

The museum has developed innovative ways to reach Oregon's diverse community. The Education Department has expanded outreach programs to senior centers, after-school programs, and community organizations, and participates in numerous festivals and school assemblies.

What is an outreach visit? An outreach visit is approximately an hour-long visit led by staff or trained museum volunteers. During this time, we provide an overview of the museum's collection or of a specific theme. This visit can be designed to fit your organization or classroom's unique needs and can also include an art activity.

Puppet Theater

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art's Puppet Theater brings ancient folktales from around the world to life with colorful puppet shows. The group performs with hand crafted, authentically-costumed puppets for both K-12 classrooms and community groups.

The puppet shows are based on stories that have been handed down from generation to generation in China, Japan, and the American Northwest - all regions of focus in the art museum's collection. Join the puppets in the following performances:

Kintaro
A young Japanese boy demonstrates great strength as he grows up in the wild. Relying on the animals for companionship and survival, the boy learns many important lessons that prepare him to become a great Samurai.

Dragon Boat Festival
Discover the story behind the origin of the ancient Chinese spring festival that remains a special tradition today.

 The Dragon Prince
Inspired by the Chinese Opera, Lawrence Yep's story of the Dragon Prince is acted out in mime with actors wearing masks.

The Dragon and the Pearl
Set in ancient China, this folktale tells the story of a magic pearl that changes the lives of an entire village and causes a surprise ending.

The Raven and the Petrel
Based on the Northwest American tales of the trickster, Raven, this story tells of how Raven brought lakes and rivers to the people and explains why ravens are black. This story's puppets are designed to reflect the art of Northwest Native American tribes as shown in masks, dancing blankets, and wall paintings.

If you are interested in scheduling an outreach visit or puppet show, please contact Becky Tonkin, Museum Educator for University and Community Audiences, at (541) 346-0968 or rtonkin@darkwing.uoregon.edu.




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