Fri, Jun 8, 2018
On the inaugural episode of Puppet Tears, we're joined by the mechanism master himself: Jim Kroupa. Jim has been involved with on-screen puppetry for nearly 40 years, having designed and constructed characters for The Muppets, Sesame Street, Eureeka's Castle, Wimzie's House, Gullah Gullah Island, and many more. Our conversation skims the surface of the puppeteer's robust C/V and provides some insight to the 'dark side of puppetry.'
Fri, Jun 8, 2018
On this episode, we talk to Rick Lazzarini, who has an extensive history with the performance and construction of animatronic puppets through his studio, The Character Shop. You may not know his voice, but you certainly know his work... Rick talks about his time on the set of Aliens, Ghostbusters II, Space Balls, and more - which all stemmed from a childhood wish to own a pet chimp. If you were ever looking for insight into how special effects in your favorite movies came to life, you won't want to miss this talk.
Sat, Jun 23, 2018
We're back with Muppet performer Peter Linz, who originated the role of Walter in 2011's The Muppets movie and, more recently, took on the additional responsibility of Ernie, Herry Monster, Statler, Link Hogthrob, Lips, and Robin the Frog. He also worked on shows like The Puzzle Place, Bear in the Big Blue House, and Big Big World. A man who self-describes as "someone with zero marketable skills," Peter pursued a childhood passion for Jim Henson's creations all the way to a successful career as a television puppeteer. Join us as we discuss inheriting legacy characters, developing original roles, and some nightmare scenarios from the sets of your favorite 90's programs.
Tue, Jul 31, 2018
On this episode of Puppet Tears, we sit down with puppet producer extraordinaire Jean Marie Keevins. As both the founder of Little Shadow Productions and the Associate Artistic Director of the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, Jean Marie has become an integral figure within the American puppetry community. We'll talk to Jean Marie about what drives her as an artist, why she believes puppetry is our most effective tool for non-verbal storytelling, and her long-term goals for creating new productions in the future. We will also touch on her experiences of working for The Muppets and The Daily Show, while a Vice President at Puppet Heap.
Tue, Aug 14, 2018
This week, Puppet Tears welcomes puppet builder extraordinaire the winner of German puppetry talent show Die Puppenstars, viral YouTube sensation Barnaby Dixon. Barnaby has taken the Internet by storm on multiple occasions with his short videos featuring meticulously constructed puppets. Barnaby will share a glimpse into his history as a stop-motion animator and how that experience segued into a career in puppetry. He'll also talk about how he goes about building his characters and some of the avenues his new-found fame his brought him (hint: he name-drops both Netflix and J.J. Abrams).
Tue, Aug 28, 2018
On the second international episode of Puppet Tears, we have a chat with Sangya Ojha, the Muppet performer and puppeteer from Mumbai, who performs Anchoo, Raya, and Elmo (among many other characters) on the Indian co-production of Sesame Street, Galli Galli Sim Sim. We'll talk with Sangya about the responsibility of performing those characters for Indian audiences. And we also learn about her co-founding the traveling puppetry troupe, The Puppetarians, which models positive life skills for the young and the young at heart.
Tue, Sep 11, 2018
Katie Williams joins us on this episode from Bristol in the UK. We talk to her about what it has been like to come up as a puppet builder in today's competitive industry. She is a puppeteer and stop-motion model-maker who has worked at Aardman Animation Studios and on Wes Anderson's 2018 film Isle of Dogs. We'll discuss her process in networking, finding new projects, and building a portfolio while strengthening her craftsperson skills. We will also talk about her many solo projects, including the live performances Howard and Freak Show, as well as her studies at The Curious School of Puppetry.
Tue, Sep 25, 2018
All the way from "where the air is sweet," the guys are joined by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph to talk about her 20 years as a puppeteer on stage and screen -- most notably as Lolly Lardpop and Sesame Street's Abby Cadabby. We'll discuss how Leslie's time as a visual artist and a human actor on stage has influenced her work creating characters who touch our hearts. You won't want to miss Leslie talk about the many performers who helped to bolster her; from Josh Gad (Frozen, Book of Mormon, Beauty and the Beast) and Paula Pell (SNL, 30 Rock, AP Bio) to Muppet legends like Fran Brill, Jerry Nelson, and Bill Baretta. You can't miss this episode of Puppet Tears.
Tue, Oct 9, 2018
This week, the guys are joined by puppeteer and veteran Muppet performer from Sesame Street - Martin Robinson. He is best known for bringing life to characters such as Telly Monster, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Slimey the Worm. Martin also has a remarkable history on stage, most notably as the original designer, builder, and puppeteer of Little Shop of Horrors's Audrey II. We'll talk to Martin about developing backstories and the physical demands associated with performing his signature characters. We will also spend some time discussing his involvement with The National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center - specifically developing his immersive performance piece, All Hallows Eve, a re-imagining of Hansel and Grettel.
Tue, Oct 23, 2018
On this episode of Puppet Tears, the guys have the pleasure of getting to know Patrick and Sean Johnson, the creative minds behind Swazzle puppet company. These wonder-twins have guided their LA-based studio through all kinds of dynamic projects - from Pee-Wee's Playhouse on Broadway and The Simpsons, to their own productions on screen and stage. They'll talk about their company's biggest project to date: producing and performing a vibrant cast of puppet characters on Showtime's new series Kidding, starring Jim Carrey. Patrick and Sean also discuss their puppet-upbringing throughout the early 80's, the importance of joining your local Puppeteers of America guild, and the lasting influence that Jim Henson's passing had on their spirit of creativity.
Tue, Nov 6, 2018
Happy Sesame Street month, everybody. In celebration of the show's 49th anniversary, we're talking to someone who's been working with its legendary characters for nearly 20 years. Louis Henry Mitchell is Sesame Workshop's Creative Director of Character Design, a position that has him wearing many hats - from taking promotional photography, to ensuring characters are properly represented in Sesame's merchandising. The guys will discuss Louis's upbringing as a prodigious illustrator and draftsman, how he found his way to Sesame Street, and what it was like to design one of the show's newest characters Julia, a Muppet who has autism. You'll also hear about why Louis has such an obsession with Cookie Monster and the perfect recipe for taking stellar photos of your puppets.
Tue, Nov 20, 2018
Wondering what the Peter PLAN is this week, friends...? Well, for the guys at Puppet Tears, it's talking to the one and only Derek Lux. Alongside his wife Lauren, Derek is the founder of DLux Puppet, a San Francisco-based company that produces spell-binding, multi-media performances for the whole family. Their break-out first show was a re-telling of Alice in Wonderland; in January of 2019, they'll premier their newest production - Peter Pan. You'll hear Derek talk about his roots - an early immersion in voice acting and theatre, becoming a fan of Jim Henson's technological wizardry, and re-discovering puppetry as an adult - making it his full-time profession. Don't miss this discussion that tackles everything from collaborating with puppet-master Steve Axtell to leading a production of Sweeny Todd at The National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.
Tue, Dec 4, 2018
For the last full episode of Puppet Tears in 2018, the guys sit down with their good friend and mentor - Mr. Ronnie Burkett. Ronnie is a legendary puppet artist who is best known for his prolific marionette work, including Tinka's New Dress, Penny Plain, CRAVE, and The Daisy Theatre. Join us for this jam-packed conversation, spanning from Ronnie's earliest days as a puppet-book-worm in Medicine Hat, Alberta, his foray into the lucrative world of commercial television puppetry, and solidifying his artistic voice with the Theatre of Marionettes. PLUS: a hysterical synopsis of Ronnie's adaptation of A Christmas Carol - Little Dickens - which he's touring in Vancouver throughout December. This candid talk highlights the true intellect, passion, and sticktoitiveness it takes to become a successful, career-puppeteer.