KAREN TWIGHT | THEATER ARTIST
PUPPETRY, POETRY & STAGE PERFORMANCE FOR CREATIVE LEARNING
Karen Twight brings nearly two decades of experience in performing arts to the classroom. She has created and directed musicals, plays, talent shows, puppet shows, and poetry performances for students from kindergarten through middle school, often weaving in history, social studies, or language arts themes. Karen’s teaching is deeply inclusive, drawing on her experience working with neurologically diverse, learning-challenged, and at-risk students. She believes theater is more than performance—it’s a pathway to building confidence, memory, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills. Whether staging a folk tale with puppets, developing a theme-based play, or guiding students in the performance of poetry, Karen helps young people experience the joy of storytelling and self-expression.
GRADE LEVELS
Pairs well with elementary (1st – 6th) and middle school.
ART FORMS
Theater • Puppetry • Poetry Performance
ARTS INTEGRATION & CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Karen’s programs support Washington State Learning Standards by integrating theater, poetry, and puppetry with core classroom subjects:
- English Language Arts (ELA): Script reading, memorization, public speaking, and expressive performance (ELA: SL, RL, W).
- History/Social Studies: Roleplay and dramatization of historical events, cultural stories, and social themes (SS: C2, H3).
- Visual Arts (VA): Set design, prop-making, and puppetry craftsmanship (VA:Cr1–Cr3).
- Social-Emotional Learning: Collaboration, empathy, active listening, and self-expression through group performance.
Pairs well with:
- Language arts and literacy projects
- Cultural and historical studies
- Social-emotional learning initiatives
- School assemblies or family engagement events
- After-school arts or drama clubs
WHY TEACHERS CHOOSE KAREN
- Integrates theater, poetry, and puppetry with classroom subjects
- Builds confidence, focus, and collaboration through accessible performance-based learning
- Experienced with diverse learners; adapts activities for all abilities
- Fully prepared, turnkey programming with minimal teacher prep
- Flexible formats: one-time workshops, multi-week residencies, or after-school projects
- Encourages teacher participation for lasting classroom impact
KAREN'S PENINSULA PERFORMS! PROGRAMS
Puppet Theater: Bringing Stories to Life
Students bring folk and fairy tales to life through puppetry, learning about voice, expression, and character. Includes opportunities to create original short scenes or adapt familiar stories, culminating in a group performance.
Minimum: 2 class periods • Grades: K–6
Stagecraft in Action
Students rehearse and perform short plays designed for their age group, exploring the essentials of drama—character, plot, theme, and staging. Performances may be presented for classmates or families, creating a celebratory end to the process.
Minimum: 3 class periods • Grades: K–8
The Art of Spoken Word
Students learn to memorize and perform poems or short monologues, using body, face, and voice to convey meaning. Concludes with a group recital or performance—building memorization skills, language development, vocabulary, understanding of syntax, and public speaking confidence.
Minimum: 2 class periods • Grades: K–8
