"Trash" -- Heap Design Sketches

Sketching out how the Heap might be built. Challenge?? We want it to be BIG and able to GROW BIGGER, yet only require one (1) puppeteer to manipulate it.

Solutions? Height gained with internal, bendable spinal support. And when we can't make it any bigger, use forced perspective on the set to make everything else feel smaller.

"Trash" Heap -- Construction Research

Here are some things I'm researching for inspiration on puppet construction of our Trash Heap.

• Muppets Eating Other Muppets
• Stand By Me
• Delicious
• Ive Got You Under My Skin
• StanWinstonSchool.com
• Swazzle.com
• FoamMart.com
• StormTrooperGuy.com/workshop/Jabba_the_Hutt
• Antinomia: Big Puppet Build
• Ocean's Motion Puppet Design

 

"Trash" Cast Announcement

Today was our first go at the script with our new CAST! Our objective? Get a sense for how a musical FULL of characters could be handled by just 4 puppeteers -- at least vocally. Thankfully, we can already see that -- though it will be challenging -- we should be able to pull it off!!

AND on top of that, it was amazing hearing the cast bring the story and characters to life. We are trying to create the show to be self-sufficient with just 4 actors, and are designing the lighting and music so it can be run from within the show.

SO! even though we don't have our promo shots ready, we wanted to introduce these fun loving people. We are thrilled and delighted to have in our cast (pictured below, with place holder puppets): Joel Ausanka, Jennifer Bateman, Elizabeth Buchanan, and Chad Wellington.

The talented Ammon Taylor is writing our music (of which we got a taste tonight) and Producing Artistic Director Sara Farr is directing.  ;-)

"Trash" Script Complete!

After a month of cranking away on it, we finished the script for our upcoming show, "Trash"!!! This is a landmark in the PIP's development. Congratulations and a big warm 'thank-you' to my co-writer, Joel Ausanka! It's a fun, sharp story with a delightfully green message. We can't wait to share it with our cast when we have our first "cold read" next week. 

"Trash" Character Color Comps

 -----------------------------------------

"Trash" Design Sketches #1

Here are some sketches from the visual brainstorming process for our upcoming show. :-)

Spring "Green"

During the process of researching the world of garbage for our upcoming show, "Trash", I've learned a lot about waste and what it means to be green. Over the past 3 months, the show has metamorphosed into a puppet play with something to say about the future of our own world. Austin at large is also thinking about the global issue of waste and a lot of great minds are looking to find a green future. For instance, did you know in the push towards "zero waste" the highest percentage of our garbage is FOOD? I've also met a lot of great people who are also thinking about "green" -- including Brandi Clark of Austin EcoNetwork. Here is a link to her newsletter. http://www.austineconetwork.com/