Escape to Freedom: Underground Railroad History Through Shadow Puppets

This 5 day curriculum infused residency teaches Iowa Underground Railroad History through shadow puppetry. Each of four classes develops two scenes, making their own puppets to depict incidents that occurred in Iowa between 1856 and 1859. At the end of the week, the eight scenes are performed chronologically, giving the audience a nutshell history of the period.

Puppeteer Monica Leo developed this residency through the Creative Classrooms program, developed by the Gallagher-Bluedorn at the University of Northern Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council, in association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

 

 

Curriculum Connections:
  • Iowa history
  • African American studies
  • Art
  • Drama