About Us
Player One Puppetry is an interdisciplinary arts duo who blends puppetry, film, video games and therapeutic arts practices to promote healing through joy and provide socioemotional engagement. A Player One Puppetry Residency is experienced in two parts. Part one (virtual) is a virtual experience where participants follow a cast of puppet characters in an expertly shot episode series. These episodes are broken up by video games where participants can take control of the story as the puppet characters face challenges, navigate new situations, and build resilience. Part one happens independently from the comfort of the participant’s own device (i.e. tablet, laptop). Think Sesame Street meets Minecraft! While some games are there just for fun, others teach stress management and calming techniques. Part two (in-person) brings the puppet characters to the participants for an arts-based workshop. These workshops are imaginative, participant-led, and flexible to fit either individual or large-group engagement. Workshops can include painting rocks for the “Great Rock Garden,” guided imaginative play, or dressing up like characters from the story.
A Two Part Adventure
The Virtual Phase
Participants follow a cast of puppet characters as they face challenges, navigate new situations and build resilience all from the comfort of their own devices. This digital adventure includes both expertly shot videos and video games where participants can take control of the story. Think Sesame Street meets Minecraft! While some games are there just for fun others teach stress management and calming techniques.
The In Person Phase
Player 1 Puppeteers visit your organization for an arts-based workshop that best fits the needs of your children. These workshops are imaginative and child-led interactions Workshops can include painting rocks for the “Great Rock Garden,” guided imaginative play, or dressing up like characters from the story. Our facilitators can create flexible workshops to best serve the needs of your children.
Meet Our Leading Players!
Sami Topping
Co-founder
Sami Topping is a theatre maker, educator, and artist in the DMV area. After graduating with her Master’s in Applied theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Sami has been serving as the Education Program Manager at Imagination Stage for the last three years. Sami specializes in early childhood education and applied theatre interventions. Sami uses puppetry, creative drama, and play to inspire people to take part in the world around them!
Hannah Breen
Co-Founder
Hannah is a D.C. based choreographer, theatre maker, and teaching artist. She is passionate about making accessible, inclusive art and using the arts as a tool to build community, promote healing, and spread joy. Hannah studied theatre education and dance at James Madison University (2022) and documentary theatre at the Archa Theatre in Czech Republic (2021). In her free time, Hannah is known to occasionally frolic about as a clown having traveled with Patch Adams and a nonprofit organization called Maria’s Children (Moscow, RU).