Razzamataz is dedicated to bringing positive to change the communities we serve and facilitates this mission through several educational outreach programs.
Brief Description of Classes and Workshops
Contact ryan@razzamatazproductions.com for booking.
Mr. B’s Funky Salvaged Banjo Experience
This is a 2-day teen & adult workshop on building funky homemade banjos/ sitars out of recycled and salvaged materials (i.e. cookie tins, scrap lumber, and junk toys). This workshop gives each student a first-hand experience in artistic recycling as well as the opportunity to design and build a fully functional musical instrument and then decorate it with a range of 2D and 3D collage techniques using materials such as: board game pieces, salvaged plastic toys, puzzles and cards, magazine cut-outs/ photos, etc. The banjos are then coated with a thick lustrous layer of crystal clear epoxy resin. The end result is a beautifully handcrafted musical instrument that is equally at home hanging in an art gallery or plugged into an amplifier producing bizarre and wonderful tones.
8-Week Homemade Musical Instrument Class
This is an extended curriculum that begins with the Funked-Out Banjo Experience and continues with lessons on building Drums, Japanese Yokobues, Dulcimers, Rain-sticks, Finger-pianos, and Digeridoos. Each instrument is decorated with a range of 2D and 3D collage techniques using materials such as: board game pieces, salvaged plastic toys, puzzles and cards, magazine cut-outs/ photos, etc. Each of the musical instruments that are created is a fully-functional, fabulous work of art.
Razzamataz Week-long Puppetry Classes
These weeklong puppetry classes are open to ALL AGES: children to adults. During these classes, students are given a hands-on opportunity to create their own puppets and props, develop their own scripts and stories and then present a Saturday performance of student puppet shows. Mr. Ballard and interns from the Razzamataz Puppet Co. are on hand with their cast of elaborate hand-crafted puppets to entertain, educate, and perform scenes from various Razzamataz Shows and hold improvisational performances with the students.
The Razzamataz 1-Day Sock Puppet Workshop
This workshop is ideal for younger students (15 and under) and allows the children to create their own sock puppet characters and decorate them using a variety of gorgeous recycled fabrics and salvaged materials. The creative possibilities are endless and each sock puppet is unique.
The Greatest 3-D Collage/ Design Class in the Universe
This awesome 8-week class gives students (ages 12 & up) the opportunity to design and build a variety of multi-media sculptural projects and then decorate their work using a range of 2D and 3D collage techniques. The students will use materials such as: board game pieces, salvaged plastic toys, puzzles and cards, magazine cut-outs/ photos, etc., to treat the surfaces of their art-work. The projects include: building a personal shrine, creating a thematic bird-house, making a funked-out banjo, designing a functional lamp, and decorating a wacky vinyl record.
Razzamataz 8-Week Puppetry Classes
This 8-week puppetry class is open to ALL AGES: children to adults. During this class, the students will be given a hands-on opportunity to work on the development and presentation of a professional puppet production. Each student will build their own puppets and props, as well as develop their own original scripts, sketches and stories. Student will learn the art of live puppetry improvisation and will also develop and select the music, lighting, and special effects for their productions. At the end of the class the students will present their shows to a live audience.
The Razzamataz Internship Program
Razzamataz provides internship opportunities for talented young people within the Razzamataz Puppet Company. These internships give creative young people an opportunity to be involved with the development, production and performance of Razzamataz’s theatrical puppet productions. This program provides students with an exciting hands-on learning experience, and allows them to explore a multi-media art-form that integrates the visual and performing arts.
We are currently accepting applications for the Razzamataz Internship Program 2008.
To find out more contact us.
Numerous Razzamataz Workshops are scheduled throughout 2008. Contact ryan@razzamatazproductions.com for more info.
