Thursday, November 13, 2008
The new "book" show
Please make some suggestions for our upcoming show at the South Lyon Library. Some ideas we discussed were adapting a few Shel Silverstein poems, a Dr. Seuss book or "Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day". Be creative. Think about your favorite books growing up and list a few. What are some reasons that would make those titles adaptable for puppets?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The new and exciting project
Coming Soon: SaturQuack
What is SaturQuack? Well, its a little tough to describe, but here goes. SaturQuack is a new family program being developed by SD in cooperation with the EMU Theatre Department. The plan is to put together three Saturday morning events to take place in May. These events are free for families and will feature juggling, magic, live music, group games, crafts and of course puppets. The SD puppets to be precise. Utilizing the "magazine format" executed so well by Sesame Street, SaturQuack will be a kind of weekly variety show with each act tying loosely to a central theme.
What does this mean for SD? For one, it means a really crazy rehearsal schedule over the next month. Starting from scratch, we'll be writing, re-writing, staging, tweaking and performing more material than any single show we've ever done. It also means that we'll be pushing our creativity to a point it's never been before. Minimalism and varied puppet styles are at the core of this project and could really change to spirit of SD. We're breaking the standard conventions of the box stage, exploring shadow, bunraku, marionette, and any other creative convention we think looks cool or makes 7 year-olds laugh. We've got our work cut out for us - it's now a matter of pushing brainstorming to reality.
Hopefully this blog will be updated a few times between now and May, when we open. Along the way, tidbits of our brainstorming and progress will be posted for your viewing pleasure. Also, watch for changes on the website (www.SDpuppets.com) over the next few weeks.
SaturQuack is coming...
What is SaturQuack? Well, its a little tough to describe, but here goes. SaturQuack is a new family program being developed by SD in cooperation with the EMU Theatre Department. The plan is to put together three Saturday morning events to take place in May. These events are free for families and will feature juggling, magic, live music, group games, crafts and of course puppets. The SD puppets to be precise. Utilizing the "magazine format" executed so well by Sesame Street, SaturQuack will be a kind of weekly variety show with each act tying loosely to a central theme.
What does this mean for SD? For one, it means a really crazy rehearsal schedule over the next month. Starting from scratch, we'll be writing, re-writing, staging, tweaking and performing more material than any single show we've ever done. It also means that we'll be pushing our creativity to a point it's never been before. Minimalism and varied puppet styles are at the core of this project and could really change to spirit of SD. We're breaking the standard conventions of the box stage, exploring shadow, bunraku, marionette, and any other creative convention we think looks cool or makes 7 year-olds laugh. We've got our work cut out for us - it's now a matter of pushing brainstorming to reality.
Hopefully this blog will be updated a few times between now and May, when we open. Along the way, tidbits of our brainstorming and progress will be posted for your viewing pleasure. Also, watch for changes on the website (www.SDpuppets.com) over the next few weeks.
SaturQuack is coming...
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Living Water and a taste of things to come
Last Sunday the troupe performed its brand-new show, Pete's Predicament for the kids at Living Water. Aside from minor glitches the show went quite swimmingly, though we did run into one snafu before the show even got rolling.
The plan was to have Gordon (as Tony) do a short, back-and-forth banter with Dan Flynn for the entire congregation. Following that, the kids would proceed to children's church to enjoy the full puppet show. Things were in place, mics were checked and everyone was prepared. While waiting for his cue, Gordon went to go check on the team in the other room. There was a general consensus that a particular scene needed one more run-through, so Gordon swapped puppets and the team went through it. Well, at some point during the rehearsal, Gordon's cue came up and incidentally so did his mic. The whole scene was broadcast to the congregation, who believed it to be a planned part of the service...'til Dan nervously explained otherwise. An embarrassed Gordon appeared on the stage some time later to perform the actual skit.
Pete's Predicament will be performed again at EMU's Family Day Saturday Oct. 27. Showtimes will be at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. in the Sponberg Theatre. Come on out; it's free!
The plan was to have Gordon (as Tony) do a short, back-and-forth banter with Dan Flynn for the entire congregation. Following that, the kids would proceed to children's church to enjoy the full puppet show. Things were in place, mics were checked and everyone was prepared. While waiting for his cue, Gordon went to go check on the team in the other room. There was a general consensus that a particular scene needed one more run-through, so Gordon swapped puppets and the team went through it. Well, at some point during the rehearsal, Gordon's cue came up and incidentally so did his mic. The whole scene was broadcast to the congregation, who believed it to be a planned part of the service...'til Dan nervously explained otherwise. An embarrassed Gordon appeared on the stage some time later to perform the actual skit.
Pete's Predicament will be performed again at EMU's Family Day Saturday Oct. 27. Showtimes will be at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. in the Sponberg Theatre. Come on out; it's free!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
What A Weekend
So we made it through the craziest weekend to date. An all-day setup on Friday, SUPER Market rummage sale on Saturday, and a full performance on Sunday. Praise God we made it out alive.
On the plus side, the SUPER Market went well and Sunday's performance of "3 Fables" was perhaps the best yet. With that all out the of way, the team can focus its efforts on writing this mammoth program for the Costa Rica trip. We'll also be trying to squeeze in some summer performances and events along the way. Overly ambitious? Maybe; but Overlyambitious is our middle name...that or Dwayne.
On the plus side, the SUPER Market went well and Sunday's performance of "3 Fables" was perhaps the best yet. With that all out the of way, the team can focus its efforts on writing this mammoth program for the Costa Rica trip. We'll also be trying to squeeze in some summer performances and events along the way. Overly ambitious? Maybe; but Overlyambitious is our middle name...that or Dwayne.
Friday, May 11, 2007
PuppetGrams Are Off And Rolling
PuppetGrams is officially established after the successful delivery of two Grams so far. Gordon and Theresa had the pleasure of delivering messages of "Happy First Day Of Work" and "Happy Baptismal Birthday" earlier this week. We're all crossing our fingers for the day when someone orders a breakup Gram. I call dibs.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
New content up
There's some new content up on the website (www.SDpuppets.com if you forgot). Under the Shows page there are now active links for Shadrach as well as 3 Fables. Also, pages for the Bottle Drive, PuppetGrams, and the SUPER Market have been created on the Costa Rica page.
Oh, and are you guys able to create new posts here?
Oh, and are you guys able to create new posts here?
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