Looking for "puppet techs"... is this you?

The Puppet Improv Project is looking for "puppet techs" for the fall show, "Off The Reef".  Could this be you? Are you interested in the magic of black light puppetry? Do you want to be involved with one of the most spectacular improvised shows of 2012? Are you free on Tuesday nights to join in the fun?

If you answered "YES!" to any of these questions, then you are a good candidate for our show! The roll of the puppet tech is to support the show by filling it with background characters and environment. In our show, "Off The Reef", we are looking for beginning to advanced level improvisers who understand the basics of improvisation and want to learn more about puppetry and movement.

Our puppet techs will play with giant fans, flags, ribbons, streamers, props, etc. to create the form and space of the reef, as well as the more abstract creatures on the reef. They will also help the cast bring our giant Chinese dragon styled "Eel" puppet to life.

The show is directed by David Buckman, and includes a cast of 8 veteran improvisers and puppeteers. Our rehearsals are on Tuesday nights, and start in August, and go through October, with mandatory rehearsals on 10/23, 10/30 (Tech) and 11/01 (Dress). Show dates are Friday & Saturday @ 8pm on 11/2, 11/3, 11/9, and 11/10.

If you are interested, please email: sara@puppetimprovproject.org

Puppet Improv Festival?

Talked on the phone yesterday with Elizabeth Westermann! our puppet improv friend in Seattle, WA. Elizabeth runs "Puppet Crush", and the two of us talked about the problems of doing the same stuff, but living so far apart. When she asked me, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could find a way for all the puppet improvisers in the United States of America to come together and play in one place?!" -- my answer was a resounding, "YES!" So we sketched out some rough notes, and then parted to let the ideas stew and cook for a bit, with a promise to talk again soon. So I think it's safe to say, we have taken the first step towards getting the ball rolling on what may just be the best idea yet -- a Puppet Improv Festival!!!

So! If you are reading this and YOU do puppet improv in your city, somewhere here in the USA, please let one of us know. We haven't started anything official yet.  We of course will need to start small, perhaps latching onto an existing improv, puppet or comedy festival. BUT! Our goal is to KEEP THE FUZZY BALL OF PUPPET IMPROV rolling!

Producing Shows

Had a great meeting with Shana Merlin of Merlin Works to talk about producing shows and got some good tips on how I can work to take PIP to the next level. We have a lot of great shows planned for the next few years -- bigger and better and more spectacular! But it all takes planning, and a producer's job is never done.

Group Build Weekend for "Off The Reef"

Several people have asked me "When are you going to offer another [b]Puppet Building[/b] workshop" and the inevitable answer always is, "When we finish working on the stuff for our own show".

The PIP is in production for our fall show, Off The Reef. This weekend (Fri-Sun) we are doing a GROUP BUILD.  If you want to lend a hand (or two) and get some sewing tips and puppet building tricks, this is a GREAT way to learn some puppet building techniques.

FYI, this is not a workshop, but a production day. You are welcome to bring your own projects and get some advice -- as long as that doesn't distract us too much from our work.

Wanna help? Email sara@puppetimprovproject.org