The Salem Courthouse Community Center is offering a unique opportunity for home schooled children between the ages of seven and 12.

The CCC is starting the Homeschool Puppet Club, which will meet on Tuesday mornings from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. starting on Oct. 8 and running until Dec. 3. Students will learn to manipulate puppets, make a sound track and work on scenery.

There will be three plays from which the participants will select one and stage a performance in December.  Courthouse volunteers are building a puppet theater that will be part of this new program.

Participants will learn all aspects of puppetry and putting on a professional performance, and they will audition for speaking parts. Non-speaking parts will also be integral to the presentation, assisting with scenery and sound.

The instructor, Debi Craig, has more than 30 years of experience running puppet clubs. She is a retired educator from the Saratoga Springs City School District, but she still maintains her involvement with the puppet club she started there. Craig is a local resident and looks forward to creating the same magic in Salem that she produced in Saratoga. For more information call the CCC at 518-854-7053.