From Concept to Ask
Followed by a puppet performance “Everything That Follows” at 6pm
Runtime: tbd
Turning a puppet show from an idea into a real production means facing a budget and a pitch, two things most puppet artists were never trained to build.
A strong show can stall for the simple reason that the numbers were never worked out or the ask was never made clearly.
From Concept to Ask is a one-day intensive with producer and puppet artist Jean Marie Keevins, built for artists who already have a project, or a dream project, in mind. Over the course of the day, participants build a working budget and a working pitch for that project, grounded in real numbers rather than guesswork.
The day includes the group’s shared attendance at that evening’s performance of Everything That Follows by Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre, followed by a talkback, used as a live example to work from. Participants leave with tools they can put to use immediately, not just notes to revisit later. Enrollment is limited to 12 so that everyone gets direct feedback.
$100 per person, includes the workshop, performance, and talkback.
Credits
Led by Jean Marie Keevins
The artist
Jean Marie Keevins
bio
Jean Marie Keevins is a NYC-based Emmy-nominated supervisor, award-winning producer, writer, and puppetry artist. She is the founder of Little Shadow Productions, which has originated productions such as You Have Arrived and Zwerge, produced acclaimed works such as Lunatic Cunning, The Flatiron Hex, and Martin P. Robinson’s sold-out All Hallows Eve, and is a producing partner of Annie Evans’ Aanika’s Elephants. Her company provides puppets and talent for stage and screen, including Netflix’s Wyatt Cenac’s Brooklyn and Apple TV+’s Helpsters. Through Little Shadow Academy and the Lil’ Talks on Puppetry, Jean Marie champions accessibility and professional growth for all in the puppetry field. When not working in puppetry, Jean Marie marries her creative skills with her work as an internationally accredited sought after coach, working with executives, teams and people in transitional phases of their lives. It’s all a narrative and Jean Marie guides people in writing their new story.
The 12th La MaMa Puppet Festival Fall 2026 is made possible by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Howard Gilman Foundation, The Jim Henson Foundation, and The Shubert Foundation. Additional support from Cheryl Henson is gratefully acknowledged.
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