dramatic mechanics
shadow puppetry workshops with Linda Wingerter
I specialize in helping puppetry artists implement basic mechanisms for flat puppets with an emphasis on rapid prototyping. These online and in-person workshops are hands-on group explorations using cheap and abundant materials with an approach of play and discovery.
I primarily work with the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival in leading a 5-session virtual workshop called Shadow Puppetry II. Participants come from all levels of experience, and sometimes come with a mental block towards mechanisms. We replace any blocks with a practice of practical experimentation.
I’ve been lucky to get to work with incredible puppetry artists in these sessions! The kinds of discoveries they’ve made can be seen in this video of experiments from the workshops. Explore their work by clicking on their names below. Thanks to all of them for letting me share their puppetry, and especially to Linda Boyle for the end song. Her music can be heard here.
Shadow Puppetry II Volume 1: July & August 2021 Sessions
July & August 2021 Participants:
Tom Lee * Rotem Goldenberg * Milissa Orzolek * Lisa Difford * Linda Boyle * Katherine Fahey * Jesse Njus * Jaerin Son * Honglan Huang * Deborah Hunt * Carrie Morris * Tina Orlandini * Tania Yager * Sarah Nolen * Maisie O’Brien * Lizzy DuQuette * Kimberly Cotter-Lemus * Kate Brehm * Grant Wuellner * Emmalee Pearson * Carny Val * Bonnie Kim * Ayesha Mehta * Ailin Ruiz
More workshop compilation videos to come.
Some Resources
Shadow Puppets, Shadow Theaters and Shadow Films, Lotte Reiniger. The workshops are inspired by the film and live puppetry work of Lotte Reiniger.
Richard Bradshaw’s Guide to Shadow Puppets, Richard Bradshaw. The unofficial textbook of the shadow mechanic workshops.
Cabaret Mechanical Movement, Aidan Lawrence One & Gary Alexander. An approachable book on mechanics for automata that can be applied to puppetry.
The Art of Tinkering, Karen Wilkinson & Mike Petrich. From the Exploratorium and the maker movement, a good companion to starting a practice of prototyping and research.
Making, Tim Ingold. A case for thinking through making from an anthropological perspective.