POPULARITY
Jean Marie Keevins is back again on Puppet Tears for an exciting part-two conversation. Jean Marie is the founder of Little Shadow Productions, a full-service production company where she has devised work such as Elephant in the Room, Zwerge, and Whiskey Neat. She is also the Associate Artistic Director of the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and the Puppet Supervisor for Sesame Workshop's Helpsters on Apple TV+. We'll catch up with Jean Marie to discuss her unique approach to story telling, the responsibilities of working as the puppet supervisor of a new television franchise, and how she's learned to master the art of the pivot! Plus: she'll explain what makes a good puppet show, versus a radio-play, versus something else entirely... and as always, a new puppet tears story or two. For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/JeanMarieKeevins2 Release date: July 8, 2020 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity
Back for a THIRD time to help us celebrate two years and 50 episodes of Puppet Tears, we have the one and only Jim Kroupa! Jim is a life-long puppet artist, best known for his mastery of puppet mechanics, performing Batley on Eureeka's Castle, and designing and/or building characters for iconic TV programs like Whimzy's House, Between the Lions, and The Book of Pooh. Most recently, he can be found performing in Sesame Workshop's Helpsters on Apple TV+. We catch up on some of his latest projects, including an inside look (literally) at his ever-growing cast of puppets for The Howdy Doo Show: Part Duh originally scheduled to premiere at the 30th National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Jim will provide new insights into his expansive career in puppetry and how he keeps things fresh, even when re-building characters with a 50+ year legacy. PLUS: We also get to have him share another classic Puppet Tear story he hasn't told on the show yet ... this time involving a penguin directed by Frank Oz. For show notes and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/JimKroupa3
Pam Arciero returns to Puppet Tears for an exciting part-two of our ongoing conversation (plus our first guest interview during shelter-in-place). Pam is the veteran Muppet performer best known for her role as Grundgetta Grouch, and is also Artistic Director of the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. As our second returning guest, Pam catches us up on what effects COVID-19 is having on this year's puppetry conference, how future seasons of Sesame Street may reflect the pandemic in its curriculum, and the implications that social distancing can have on puppet performing. We also discuss a topic she most wanted to bring up, what style of puppetry she hopes will see a resurgence, and a brand new puppet tears story you won't want to miss! For mentions and episode highlights, vitas PuppetTears.com/PamArciero2 Release date: May 6, 2020 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity
What does the occult, a talking tongue, and children's television all have in common? This week's guest, James Godwin! Our friend and mentor James is the brilliant mind behind the one-man performances Lunatic Cunning and The Flatiron Hex. He's has worked as a puppet builder and on programs such as The Book of Pooh, Big Big World, Chapelle's Show, Oobi, and many more. He is also a performance coach for the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Don't miss this great conversation about James's evolution from painter, to stand-up and theatre performer, to one of puppetry's foremost creators. We dive deep into his artistic process, the individuals who most influenced him, and how to formulate the perfect reaction to an unruly audience. PLUS: hear an incredible tale from his time in the Hundred Acre Wood working on 'Team Pooh.' For show notes and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/JamesGodwin Release date: March 24, 2020 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity
On this episode, we're joined by Melissa and Matt Dunphy who are here to de-mystify the world of music composition and sound design for puppet theatre! Melissa is the Director of Music Composition at the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and has her doctorate in Music Composition from the University of Pennsylvania. Matt is a master of electronic sound design and synth music and performs in numerous bands. Together, they are owners of The Hannah Callowhill Stage and hosts of The Boghouse Podcast. You will not want to miss our deep-dive into creating score for theatre... We cover everything from how music can shape a performance, the importance of story and emotion in developing new works, and even how best to network with musicians on your own pieces. It's a hilarious, info-rich chat -- so put on some eye shadow and tune right on in! For Mentions and Show Notes, visit www.PuppetTears.com/TheDunphys Release date: April 24, 2019 Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity
We're journeying to TWO very special locals on this week's Puppet Tears -- Sesame Street and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center! Our guest is Pam Arciero, veteran Muppet performer, best known for her role as Grundgetta Grouch, and Artistic Director at the O'Neill's National Puppetry Conference. Listen in for an in-depth discussion about Pam's career as a puppeteer -- from her early days meeting Kermit Love at the University of Hawaii, to working as one of the first full-time female Muppeteers Jim Henson hired for Sesame Street, to her present-day position as a true ambassador to the art-form. PLUS she'll share some time-tested tips for applying your projects for conferences and grants! For show notes and mentions, visit PuppetTears.com/PamArciero Release date: February 27, 2019 Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity
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. For mentions and show notes, visit www.PuppetTears.com/DerekLux Release date: November 21, 2018 Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity
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 & Grettel. For episode mentions and show notes, visit www.PuppetTears.com/MartinRobinson Release date: October 10, 2018 Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity
Terrible intro aside, you'll enjoy this episode. Sorry, I am. Kato McNickle has been diving head first into creative projects for many years, and that includes as a playright. She's worked for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, and her projects are numerous, including the overnight writing she did just hours after our conversation. You can follow her on Facebook.com/katomcnickle to keep up to date on her projects. And visit NewPlayExchange to see some of her work. Check it out! #newplays #playright #creative #eugeneoneilltheatercenter #eugeneoneill
Hosted by M. Graham Smith, we are delighted to bring you the seventh episode of our podcast series – Masters of the Stage: Regional Originals with M. Graham Smith – a series of interviews with some of the most exciting Directors and Choreographers working in America’s regional theatres today. Today Graham is with Wendy C. Goldberg, the Artistic Director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. They talk about mentoring young artists and Wendy's work with National New Play Network, surrounding yourself with 'kindred spirits', and what to do if you find yourself thinking I'm not part of the club, I'm not from New York, I didn't go to Yale, and I'm not all the things I should be.
Coni Koepfinger hosts today's Air Play. With Interview of Amy Oesreicher. Plus Highlights from Amy's Live Performance.Amy Oestreicher is a PTSD peer-to-peer specialist, artist, author, writer for Huffington Post, speaker for TEDx and RAINN, health advocate, survivor, award-winning actress, and playwright, sharing the lessons learned from trauma through her writing, mixed media art, performance and inspirational speaking. As the creator of "Gutless & Grateful," her BroadwayWorld-nominated one-woman autobiographical musical, she's toured theatres nationwide, along with a program combining mental health advocacy, sexual assault awareness and Broadway Theatre for college campuses and international conferences. Her original, full-length drama, Imprints, premiered at the NYC Producer's Club in May 2016, exploring how trauma affects the family as well as the individual. To celebrate her own “beautiful detour”, Amy created the #LoveMyDetour campaign, to help others cope in the face of unexpected events. "Detourism" is also the subject of her TEDx and upcoming book, My Beautiful Detour, available December 2017. As Eastern Regional Recipient of Convatec’s Great Comebacks Award, she's spoken to hundreds of healthcare professionals at national WOCN conferences, and her presentations on diversity, leadership and trauma have been featured at National Mental Health America Conference, New England Educational Opportunity Association's 40 Anniversary Conference, and have been keynotes at the Pacific Rim Conference of Diversity and Disability in Hawaii, the Eating Recovery Foundation First Annual Benefit in Colorado. She's contributed to over 70 notable online and print publications, and her story has appeared on NBC's TODAY, CBS, Cosmopolitan, among others. Learn more: amyoes.com and support her work at patreon.com/amyo. Amy is currently participating as a playwright and performance artist in the National Musical Theatre Institute at the world-renowned Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.-- Amy OestreicherActress, Artist, Playwright, Author, Speaker, Survivor, and DetouristHuffington Post Columnist, TEDx, Great Comebacks Recipient SheSource Expert Featured in Cosmopolitan, & NBC's TODAY*Celebrating Life's Beautiful Detours Through Creative PTSD Education & Mental Health Programming*Award-Winning Musical Gutless & Grateful: See '17 NYC DatesSocial Media Channels)
Coni Koepfinger hosts today's Air Play. With Interview of Amy Oesreicher. Plus a reading of Amy's Play by Christy Donahue.Amy Oestreicher is a PTSD peer-to-peer specialist, artist, author, writer for Huffington Post, speaker for TEDx and RAINN, health advocate, survivor, award-winning actress, and playwright, sharing the lessons learned from trauma through her writing, mixed media art, performance and inspirational speaking. As the creator of "Gutless & Grateful," her BroadwayWorld-nominated one-woman autobiographical musical, she's toured theatres nationwide, along with a program combining mental health advocacy, sexual assault awareness and Broadway Theatre for college campuses and international conferences. Her original, full-length drama, Imprints, premiered at the NYC Producer's Club in May 2016, exploring how trauma affects the family as well as the individual. To celebrate her own “beautiful detour”, Amy created the #LoveMyDetour campaign, to help others cope in the face of unexpected events. "Detourism" is also the subject of her TEDx and upcoming book, My Beautiful Detour, available December 2017. As Eastern Regional Recipient of Convatec’s Great Comebacks Award, she's spoken to hundreds of healthcare professionals at national WOCN conferences, and her presentations on diversity, leadership and trauma have been featured at National Mental Health America Conference, New England Educational Opportunity Association's 40 Anniversary Conference, and have been keynotes at the Pacific Rim Conference of Diversity and Disability in Hawaii, the Eating Recovery Foundation First Annual Benefit in Colorado. She's contributed to over 70 notable online and print publications, and her story has appeared on NBC's TODAY, CBS, Cosmopolitan, among others. Learn more: amyoes.com and support her work at patreon.com/amyo. Amy is currently participating as a playwright and performance artist in the National Musical Theatre Institute at the world-renowned Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.-- Amy OestreicherActress, Artist, Playwright, Author, Speaker, Survivor, and DetouristHuffington Post Columnist, TEDx, Great Comebacks Recipient SheSource Expert Featured in Cosmopolitan, & NBC's TODAY*Celebrating Life's Beautiful Detours Through Creative PTSD Education & Mental Health Programming*Award-Winning Musical Gutless & Grateful: See '17 NYC DatesSocial Media Channels)