BELFAST — Creative Learning and Performance (CLAP!) has received a $3,000 grant from the Maine Expansion Arts Fund of the Maine Community Foundation for the continued development of a marionette theater at The Playhouse.

The grant award includes the refurbishing of the marionettes, construction of the puppet stage, the acquisition and installation of sound and lighting equipment, and the creation, development, and rehearsal of an original script for “Les Petits Amis” – a company of 15 marionettes and many hand puppets. The puppets and marionettes were created by Mary Weaver and Joe Ascrizzi of Freedom Works.

“We thank the Maine Community Foundation and the Maine Expansion Arts Fund for the continued support of The Playhouse and encouragement for our plans and programs we offer,” said CLAP, in a news release.

The Playhouse has been producing comedies and training young actors since 1994 at 107 Church Street in Belfast. The nonprofit CLAP! was founded in 2008 to support the theater programs and productions at The Playhouse. For more information: clapbelfast@gmail.com.