Course Description: With master-crafter, Chris Takashima's guidance, make an amazing Rat King Head for your Nutcracker Ballet. The sinister Rat King is one of the Nutcracker's most iconic characters. We plan to offer this class every other year, beginning this coming summer, 2026 (alternating with a Nutcracker Head which will be included in the class offerings for 2027).

We will have re-usable forms in class on which you will shape and build the basic Rat King head, using variform to create the shell of the head.Next, you wlll be using thick, EVA foam and regular foam to build the internal structure, giving you the ability to resize the inner head for different people.

Using Worbla, Variform, Crystal Worbla Beads, EVA foam of various weights, fake fur, and other materials, you will decorate your rat king, bringing him and the unique personality you give to him to life. 

We will be moving very fast in this class, so it is mandatory that you have already taken the Introduction to Thermoplastics Level One class, and recommended (but not mandatory) that you have also taken the crown-making thermoplastics class.

Pictured: An illustration of a rat king. You will have plenty of room to personalize your design and make your Rat King as scary or friendly-looking as you prefer him to be.

Course Length: 8-hour session at the Tutu.Com Costume Shop. 

Payments: Tutu.com Courses are available for those attending TutuSchool. Cost for this course INCLUDES the class, the teacher, and all fabrics and notions. Payments are non-refundable, however a TutuSchools credit, less 10%, will be granted for use within one year at any of our seminar locations when requested more than 30 days in advance of your seminar. If you must drop out within 30 days of the class date, no credit will be issued. Pay in monthly installments with ShopPay or PayPal Credit.