Above you'll find my performance reel as a puppeteer -- ENJOY!
I began studying puppetry summer of 2005, and I'm so excited about adding this performance skill. I participated in a masterclass with John Tartaglia and Leo Daignault of Avenue Q. We studied film/television and theatrical style puppetry with hand/rod puppets. During the 5-week course I learned:
Eye Focus, lip synch, wrist placement, fluidity, etc (working with ping-pong ball eyes and puppets)
Working with television monitors and contrasting that to theatre style
Developing a voice and character
Improv skills
Working in groups
I'm puppeteering for KidZone TV, located within Mount Sinai Hospital, the first live, interactive Broadcast Studio in a Children's Hospital in the world. KidZone TV produces live programming at least twice a day for patients throughout the hospital who are restricted to their hospital rooms. A special television channel (KidZone TV, Channel 78) is designated for live and/or pre-recorded television programs for children. Patient ages range from infant to 26 years of age. Programming includes Music shows (with call-in request), Bingo, Word Scramble, Art Shows, Science Shows, News Shows, etc.
Karen Sommers produces the channel and does an amazing job. The Henson Workshop donated the puppet I'm using -- this big, blue, live-hand monster named Madison. I'm really excited about this project. If you're in NYC and want to come to a taping, let me know!
And had an original puppet built for me by Jarrod Boutcher. Her name is Penina, and she has become a star! She really is my alter-ego; if I were a pink monster, this is who I would be.
I've also purchased a little girl puppet from Puppet Productions. I picked a red-head like me!
Some of the tools I've acquired include a pair of platform shoes to make it easier to share frame on camera with taller puppeteers. I had them custom made for me by a vendor on St. Marks Place in the East Village of NYC.
