About the Workshop

HAC is excited to host this puppet making workshop taught by Sol Ramirez of 1,2,3 Puppetry!

In preparation for our 2027 Handmade Parade in downtown Hillsborough, we're giving our wonderful community (that's YOU) an opportunity to work with a professional puppet maker (that's SOL!) and learn all about the incredible art of bringing puppets to life.

Join us as we make our very own puppet creations that are rooted in sustainability! This workshop will focus on quick and simple cardboard puppets that we will start and finish in class.

This workshop is designed for ages 12 and up. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. If collaborating on one puppet, purchase one ticket per child/adult pair. Space is limited, and is first-come, first-serve.

This workshop is brought to you through collaboration between the Hillsborough Arts Council and 1,2,3 Puppetry! Additional support for this program is provided by the Tourism Board of the Town of Hillsborough. Stay tuned for more 2026 workshops that will cover more aspects of the puppet making process.

Introducing Our Instructor: Sol Ramirez

Sol Ramirez is the founder and director of 1,2,3 Puppetry, a puppet theater company based in Chapel Hill. This group is dedicated to leveraging puppetry, acting, music, and movement to champion social justice and shed light on underrepresented issues. Sol became interested in puppetry at the age of three, and at age six, 1,2,3 Puppetry was born. Sol now helps lead the Handmade Parade and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Puppet Arts from the University of Connecticut!

What to Bring

Water bottle
Clothing that can get messy
Puppet sketches

Other materials, such as cardboard, hot glue guns, Sharpies, paint, etc. will be provided.

Intro to Puppets! - May Workshop

with 1, 2, 3, Puppetry and the Hillsborough Arts Council