On Tuesday, October 22nd, our Speech and Theatre students took a field trip to the Peoria Riverfront Museum to visit the highly acclaimed Jim Henson Exhibit. The exhibit, showcasing the creative genius of Henson and his iconic characters, gave students a close-up look at his storytelling, puppetry, and creativity. This experience has inspired them as they prepare for an exciting new project—a puppet show called "Max's Magical Musical Adventure" which they will present to the Elementary Classes in December.
Students have been studying Jim Henson’s impact on storytelling and performance in class, honing their own puppetry skills while learning the intricacies of voice work, rehearsal, and creative expression. Visiting the exhibit allowed them to see firsthand how puppetry can blend imagination with practical performance techniques, encouraging them to push the boundaries of their own work.
“We were all blown away by how Jim Henson created entire worlds out of felt and foam,” Isaiah Houseworth said.
“Seeing his original puppets and designs up close made me realize how powerful puppetry can be for telling stories," said Junior Dawson Traphagan.
With newfound inspiration, the students are now in the final stages of writing and rehearsing their own original puppet show. The performance will feature original songs, written and performed by the students themselves, adding a musical layer to the already exciting production.
This puppet show will debut in December, with the Elementary Classes eagerly awaiting a production that promises to blend creativity, heart, and a nod to the magic of Jim Henson.
Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to showtime!
Students Pictured Above Include: Tori Trotter, Sosie Blue Binder, Isaiah Houseworth, Dawson Traphagan, Riley Smith, Addison Byrd, Claire Powell and Victoria Chatfield 