I had an interesting experience the other night as a writer or, more accurately, as a storyteller. I had to pick up a prop two blocks from the Puppet Kitchen and thought I’d poke my head in to see what they were working on. A big group of my favorite people were there, making what […]
Writing and storytelling Read More »
The live musicians came in today, which was fantastic. Yuri, the violinist paired with the Peter character, is funny and immensely talented. Initially she looked a little nervous, when we described the way Peter would be running in circles around her and said, “Be careful.” “Don’t worry. I played.” ((Seventeen years)) She immediately relaxed. “Okay.
Working with live musicians Read More »
The puppets arrived yesterday from China. I was so tired when I got home after rehearsal that I didn’t write it up. So, I’ll try to hit what yesterday and today were like. Yesterday: The puppet is beautiful, with a bright lively face and a vibrant costume. It’s a curious blend of old and new
Rehearsing with the Peter puppet Read More »
I know a number of you are coming into town for Comicon. Why not take a break from all that industry stuff and come see a show? I’m puppeteering Peter in Peter and the Wolf. Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter and the Wolf is re-imagined by Mabou Mines co-artistic director Terry O’Reilly and Jane Catherine Shaw
Come see Peter and the Wolf Read More »
I spent today getting props together for Steve and Idi a new play that I’m working on for Rattlestick theater. In the afternoon, Rob and I went down to pick up a rug for the Bully Pulpit, a play about Teddy Roosevelt. In the evening, Katherine and I headed down to the Peter and the
Steve & Idi, Teddy, Peter and Katherine Read More »
Found via PuppetVision
Why I hate riding the subway with puppets Read More »
This is a beautifully manipulated short with a paper puppet. Now, I have to say that though I think this is really well done, it disappointed me. Let’s sum up. Puppet comes to life. Discovers world. Discovers that it is a puppet. Dies. I was really excited when the video started, because it is beautifully
A paper puppet meets a certain end Read More »
March Fourth Marching Band has this amazing music video with shadow puppets that I’m totally in love with. Should you have any doubts about watching it, you should know that one of the title cards says, “Meanwhile in Deep Space…” How can you pass that up? Seriously. This is one of the hottest uses of
March Fourth + Shadow Puppets = Awesome! Read More »
The intarwebs use the word sockpuppet to mean someone who has created a character for the purpose of supporting his or her arguments by pretending to be someone else. Let’s take a look at that term, shall we? Most puppets fall into five basic categories broken down by the method in which they are manipulated.
Names redacted for protection. M.S. was trying to get Barge into a tight corner inside the head on which he and E.D. were working. E.D. said, “Why don’t you glove up, squirt it onto your finger, and apply?” M.S. replied, “This might be a little cold.” And people wonder why puppeteers have so much fun.
Barging into the head Read More »
PuppetVision Blog pointed out that Cookie Monster was on NPR yesterday. There’s a long tradition of puppet characters appearing on radio, but we are lucky that the wise folk at NPR also made a short video of Cookie answering the famous Proust Questionnaire. You can listen to the whole interview at the same link. “C”
Cookie Monster on NPR Read More »
For the past several months, I’ve been helping out by recruiting volunteers for SFWA. As I do, it becomes apparent to me that the organization faces several hurdles. 1. It lacks continuity. 2. There are no clear lines of communication 3. The public interface is out-dated. 4. Volunteers’ time is not efficiently managed. Here is
I am running for SFWA secretary Read More »
Normally I’m all etiquette books and puppets, but there are days when what I really want to see is a movie with things that explode, you know? Today was one of those — don’t ask — and so Rob went out to find something for me. He came back with The Bourne Supremacy, which I
Movies with things that explode Read More »
I’m designing props and masks for The Odyssey Experience for McCarter Theatre’s education department. Here are the drawings I’m sending up to them for review. The idea is that rather than masks, each character has a helm which they wear, to signify which character they are. Athena has her classic helm, which I want to
The Odyssey Experience Read More »
This article covers so many of the things I geek out on. Old books? Check. This issue of The Gentleman’s Magazine came out in 1852. Puppets? Check. MADAME DE PUYSIEUX was a witty and vivacious lady. Among her recorded sayings is one that exceedingly well suits us for the nonce. “I would rather,” she said,
1852 Article on Puppetry Read More »