Puppet Tears: Puppetry Shop Talk

WE. ARE. BACK! We’re joined by Kevin Carlson, creator and star of the iconic 90’s video series Timmy the Tooth. Kevin is also known for his work on projects including The Mr. Potato Head Show, Imagination Movers, Crank Yankers, and The Muppets. Additionally, he is a co-chair of the SAG/AFTRA Puppeteers Committee, which fights to ensure fair contracts for professional puppeteers. We talk to Kevin about the responsibility of negotiating for fair wages and residuals for puppeteers, evolving Timmy the Tooth from a live variety show to a major TV program, and his fail-safe approach to preparing for auditions. Don't miss this conversation with this incredible performer, writer, and puppetry advocate! PLUS: find out which celebrity once hired Kevin and his crew to perform at their kid’s birthday party. For show notes and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/KevinCarlson Release date: December 13, 2023 Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

#SAG/AFTRA #TimmyTheTooth #puppeteer

https://www.puppettears.com/

We’re joined today by the godfather of puppetry fleece — Larry Guild! Larry’s family-owned company, Hampshire Textiles, manufactured countless styles of fabrics that were distributed throughout the world until 2018. He became a key-player in the puppetry world after meeting Jim Henson at a trade show in the early 1970s and introducing the Muppets to Antron Fleece.. We talk to Larry about his storied career in the textile world, how he persisted through supply shortages to consistently manufacture the fleece, and what it meant for him to play such a unique role in the history of puppetry. Join us for an incredible education—led by a living-legend—about how this vital resource is created! PLUS: find out the three characters he ever made custom-dyed Antron fleece for. For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/LarryGuild Release date: March 30, 2020 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

We're back with one of the busiest puppeteers in the industry—Jake Bazel! Star of Disney's Winnie the Pooh Show off-Broadway, which he also wrote and helped to develop, Jake also starred in Paddington Gets in a Jam, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train: LIVE. His on-screen credits include Sesame Street, Helpsters, and Duncan the Skunk and the Big Costume Trunk, which he stars in and created. We talk to Jake about the responsibility of upholding the 95 year legacy of Winnie the Pooh, developing an original character for an innovative in-app video series, and his fail-safe approach to on-set etiquette. Don't miss this fun catching up with one of our oldest friends in puppetry. PLUS: find out which Broadway icon used to live in Jake's apartment. For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/JakeBazel. Release date: January 26, 2022 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

We're celebrating the re-opening of theatre on Broadway and "The 21st Day of the Month of September" with the puppeteer cast of Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors revival — Eric Wright and Teddy Yudain! Together, they perform Audrey II in this production of the Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's cult-classic musical.

Outside of the show, Teddy is a working actor and puppeteer, Eric is the owner and head chef at The Puppet Kitchen. Both artists are alumni of the University of Connecticut and the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.

We'll chat with the pair about their many responsibilities associated with bringing the iconic antagonist to life, re-mounting the show after shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they have made the role their own while keeping it fresh every night. This is a can't miss episode for any Little Shop fans or creators interested in putting on this show themselves! PLUS: find out what happens when a puppeteer forgets to wear their seatbelt on stage.

For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/LittleShopNYC

Release date: September 20, 2021 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

On this week's show we're joined by one of puppetry's rising stars — Haley Jenkins! Haley currently stars in the title role of PBS Kids's Donkey Hodie, based on characters from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. She has also performed on Helpsters, The Pee Wee Herman Show Live on Broadway, Sesame Street, where where she originated the role of Karli.

We talk with Haley about first finding bravery on the stage in high school, how her time in the Disney College Program ultimately led her to Sesame Street, and how all of her experiences in puppetry have informed her work as Donkey Hodie. We also talk about Haley's experiences Zari, the Muppet from Afghanistan's Sesame co-production Baghch-e-Simsim, for appearances in the United States! PLUS: find out her celebrity name-drop who never forgets to send a "happy birthday" text !

For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/HaleyJenkins

Release date: September 6, 2021 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

Here to discuss his decades as a writer and biographer, Puppet Tears welcomes Brian Jay Jones. He has written best-selling biographies on iconic artists such as Washington Irving, Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), and George Lucas. His 2013 book, Jim Henson: The Biography was written with the cooperation of the Henson family, who granted Jones unprecedented access to the Henson Archives.

We talk with Brian about his journey in creating his acclaimed "book shelf," his admiration for Jim Henson's "creatively restless" work ethic, and how he is forever intertwined with the legacy of his subjects. He also shares the Muppet myths he was most excited to bust in the Jim Henson biography. PLUS: find out which part of the book was his personal gift to the Henson family!

For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/BrianJayJones

Release date: August 23, 2021 ​Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

On this episode, we're celebrating 20 years of ToughPigs.com with the help of Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe! As co-owners of the site, as well as editor-in-chief and head writer, respectively, Joe and Ryan have overseen the evolution of ToughPigs from a little-known fan blog to a robust media outlet for all kinds of Muppet related content.

They each host their own podcast for ToughPigs. Joe oversees The Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com, currently celebrating with a retrospective series ToughPigs at 20. Ryan is the host of Movin' Right Along, where he and Anthony Strand re-visit Muppet movies two minutes at a time; that show is wrapping up its third season, covering The Muppets Take Manhattan.

We talk to Joe and Ryan about the formative moments in ToughPigs's history, how they quantify a successful Muppet production, their experience in breaking the news Matt Vogel's casting as Kermit following Steve Whitmire's departure from Disney, and detail their plans to celebrate 20 years of "Muppet Fans Who Grew Up." PLUS: what Broadway standard did Adam and Cam have to clear so this interview could happen?

For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/ToughPigs

Release date: August 9, 2021 ​Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

​Let's give a big hand for this week's guest and our ol' pal Chase Woolner! Chase is the owner and operator of Busy Hands studio, where he crafts handmade puppets, pottery, and art supplies. He has worked as an additional Muppet performer on numerous projects including the films The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted, appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and the 2015 ABC series The Muppets.

We talk to Chase about his recent move from LA to Michigan where he works as a full-time visual artist, how a puppetry turned into his first professional gig on the set of 2011's Muppet movie, and lessons learned from all-star mentors throughout his journey. He also discusses finding inspiration from the animation industry and his eclectic puppet collection. PLUS: does Adam admit to being a flat-earth-er...?

For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/ChaseWoolner

Release date: July 26, 2021 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

For this episode of Puppet Tears, the guys have their yearly check-up with The Godfather of Puppet Tears - Mr. Jim Kroupa. Infamously known for his work as a puppet builder and mech designer, Kroupa has worked on countless films and television shows from Sesame Street and The Muppets Take Manhattan to Helpsters and the upcoming reboot of Fraggle Rock. One program he was heavily involved in - Eureeka's Castle, on which he was a lead character, head builder, and writer - has re-emerged this year, streaming on Paramount Plus.

We talk to Jim about his experiences while bringing Eureeka's Castle to the screen, his recent appearance on Tina Fey's Girls5Eva, and taking a break from puppetry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also get an early look at some groundbreaking applications of his signature mechanism techniques for Apple TV+'s reboot of Fraggle Rock. PLUS: some new Puppet Tear stories not even Adam and Cam had heard before!

For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/JimKroupa4

Release date: July 12, 2021 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity

 

 

 

We're back with a guest who has traveled from galaxies far, far away, to green lands before the Crystal cracked - Hugh Purves! You know him from his work on Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and so much more. He is the owner and operator of the one-stop-online-shop PuppetThings.com.

We'll chat with Hugh about the many projects on his expansive C/V, his innovative approach to material use and puppet building, and what he's learned while on the sets of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. Join us for a conversation jam-packed with insights into upping your puppetry game! PLUS: hear about his run-in with the Jedi master himself, Mark Hamill.

For mentions and episode highlights, visit PuppetTears.com/HughPurves Release date: June 28, 2021 Edited by Matt Bowen Hosted by Adam Kreutinger & Cameron Garrity