UNEMPLOYED PUPPETS SEEKING WORK
As I now evolve and downsize from decades of work sharing stories near and far as Calliope Puppets, I am seeking homes for a few puppets who are still hanging around. I have already sold and given away many, and these are a few of my favorites who deserve a better life: perhaps performing with another company, perhaps contributing to a library story time or display, or a special librarian sidekick or mascot. They have already lived very full and busy lives with me. Most are quite light weight, despite their size, as that became a specialty of mine. If you would like to pay me for a puppet, make any offer. Or, just tell me a story - what will this character’s next life be with you? Please reach out via email at karen@karenkonnerth.com with any questions or potential puppet homes! The yardstick is in all the photos for scale.
By the way, I still have all my hand puppets, as well as the carved wood Czech marionettes and will be out and about with them!
The Apprentice - miming puppet
Used in my adaptation of the Brother’s Grimm The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - a great story that celebrates the power in the ability to read. Head was modeled in clay and cast in neoprene. Wood rod to head, Body silk, with sleeve on each side to use puppeteer’s hand as hand of character. Used in a proscenium theater with a me standing behind a black scrim curtain.
The Sorcerer - miming puppet
Used in my adaptation of the Brother’s Grimm The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - a great story that celebrates the power in the ability to read. Head was modeled in clay and cast in neoprene. Wood rod to head, Body silk, with sleeve on each side to use puppeteer’s hand as hand of character. Used in a proscenium theater with a me standing behind a black scrim curtain. These puppets interacted with each other verbally on stage, and could gesture and manipulate (numerous) props when alone on stage.
Blanche - direct manipulation puppet
Used in my adaptation of The Talking Eggs. I have already found homes for most of the puppets for this very intensely toured show, but the heroine remains. Head is papier maché over a stirofoam wig stand, thrift store dress, papier maché hands. Mainly used with me manipulating as a masked character in interaction with her.
Brer Fox - full body mouth puppet
Used in numerous tales, he is an older puppet, and a little heavier, mainly due to the fabric. The head is scalpel sculpted polyfoam with knit fabric hot glued on, thrift store clothes, polyfoam arms and fabric covered paws with a control loop on one for black gloved direct manipulation. Used in a proscenium theater with a me standing behind a black scrim curtain.
Chef - miming puppet
This is an evolution of many puppets of this character. This particular puppet actually was just The Chef. He was operated by my son at about age 10 in a whole family non-verbal show we toured in Spain. Papier maché over stirofoam wig stand head with wood rod. Puppeteer’s hand goes in one glove. Other hand lightly stuffed and suspended by fishing string.
Fish - mouth puppet JOINING A PARADE KREWE IN A NEW HOME IN NEW ORLEANS
This is quite an old puppet, used in various shows. It is really just a very large hand puppet. Body is 1/2'“ polyfoam, covered with knit cotton and airbrushed. Mouth has a rigid frame. This one too big for a child.
Really Big Frog - full body mouth puppet
This big frog was used in various shows. It is really just a very large hand puppet. Body is solid polyfoam, covered with fabric. Very light weight. Also good for use outside of a stage.
Alligator - mouth puppet
Used in various shows. A very large hand puppet. Head is solid polyfoam, covered with fabric. Light wood frame inside jaw, papier maché teeth.
Foolish Jack - direct manipulation puppet
I love the Appalachian Jack Tales and have created shows of a couple different ones. There had been a hand puppet version of Jack used in the proscenium, and this larger one out front interacting with his mother (me in mask). Papier maché over stirofoam wig form head with wood rod, papier maché hands direct manipulated, thrift store clothes. Very light weight.
Lion - mouth puppet
Soft sculpture style using scalpel carved polyfoam covered with fabric. This one was pre-glue gun, so all hand sewn. Quite light weight despite his size. Kids love to pet him after the show. He has been retired for many years and I actually don’t remember what show he was built for. I used to write and build 3 - 4 shows a year to be able to return to the same schools. Lots of late night construction after the kids were asleep, then up early for the school show tours.
Thashira - mouth puppet
Thashira is a character from a beautiful creation myth from the San people, or Bushmen, from Southern Africa. The story was Thashira and the Sun, which explains the origin of the rainbow. This puppet, as well as the Sun, below, were scalpel carved from polyfoam and airbrushed. The mouth is articulated. The hands are lightly stuffed knit fabric, also airbrushed. This one is very light weight. As I remember, the tooth line is made from a plastic yogurt container. Eyes are ping pong balls.
Sun - mouth puppet WILL BE SHINING HIS LIGHT ON A NEW HOME IN NEW ORELANS
The Sun was made from a segment of a 3 or 4” foam mattress, also scalpel carved and airbrushed with ping pong ball eyes. The mouth is articulated, and the whole puppet could hang from a wide hook on a back curtain rod - to be scenery that came to life. Thashira falls in love with the Sun, and the moisture of her tears when she cannot have him creates the first rainbow.
The Snow Child - direct manipulation puppet
She was from a big production, although still solo, show of Russian folk tales, including a version of The Firebird. She was manipulated out front interacting with other characters, some me in mask. Papier maché over stirofoam wig form head with wood rod, papier maché hands direct manipulated, pool noodle and foam pipe insulation arms, legs, feet, sewn clothes. Very light weight.
Old Joe - direct manipulation puppet
He was from a peaceful conflict resolution show that traveled quite a bit, including to a festival in Pakistan. He was in the story of Old Joe and the Carpenter. Manipulated out front table top style, interacting with other characters. Papier maché over stirofoam wig form head with wood rod, papier maché hands direct manipulated, mostly cardboard interior structure, thrift store baby overalls. Very light weight.
Puss in Boots - hand puppet
Traditional hand puppet with feet. Head was modeled in clay and cast in neoprene. Tail has a wire to hold it up and could use a feather boa replacement, as this one sheds a bit.
Hare - full body direct manipulation puppet
A very hard working character, manipulated by me as well as by my daughter, touring to Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, and all around Louisiana. Performed from inside as well as outside proscenium. Head scalpel carved polyfoam, airbrushed, polyfoam interior structure, fabric covered paws, thrift store clothes. Very expressive through gesture. And VERY light weight, despite size.
Tortoise - full body direct manipulation puppet
Performed from inside as well as outside proscenium. Head scalpel carved polyfoam, airbrushed, polyfoam interior structure, fabric covered feet. Very light weight.
Mizz Possum - direct manipulation puppet
Performed from inside proscenium. Head scalpel carved polyfoam, airbrushed, fabric neck tube, polyfoam interior structure, lightly stuffed, airbrushed paws, thrift store clothes. Very light weight.
Child turtle costumes - 5 fabric turtle shells
Used to perform a participatory story, transforming 5 children instantly into turtles by placing straps over their heads - also easily removed. Great for dress up box, as kids can take them on and off themselves.