Reefer Madness puppets. Weed Wolf Ralph with Decapitated Sally
I recently designed and constructed 50 puppets for College of the Sequoias' all-puppet production of Reefer Madness: The Musical.
Credits:
Reefer Madness: The Musical
Music by Dan Studney, David Manning, Nathan Wang
Written by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney
While these characters originated from the musical, the puppet designs are entirely my own original creations.
Music by Dan Studney, David Manning, Nathan Wang
Written by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney
While these characters originated from the musical, the puppet designs are entirely my own original creations.
The actors shown in the headshot are Sarah Johnson (right) and Kathy Gonzalez (left).
About the Puppets:
The Weed Wolf Ralph is a live-hand puppet. His skull was first sculpted from polymer clay, then translated into a foam pattern. The final puppet head is built from 1-inch poly foam. “Decapitated Sally” was created using a modified pattern from The Puppet Project. Materials used across both puppets include monster fur, safety eyes, Styrofoam balls, felt, and soft-sculpted foam.
About the Puppets:
The Weed Wolf Ralph is a live-hand puppet. His skull was first sculpted from polymer clay, then translated into a foam pattern. The final puppet head is built from 1-inch poly foam. “Decapitated Sally” was created using a modified pattern from The Puppet Project. Materials used across both puppets include monster fur, safety eyes, Styrofoam balls, felt, and soft-sculpted foam.
Sally’s head is stabilized by a second puppeteer operating Ralph’s arm, while the actor playing Sally uses their free hand to operate her mouth. The result was a hilariously eerie, fully singing decapitated head—an effect that was a major hit on stage.
Recognition:
Our production was entered into several competitions through the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. I received the Meritorious Achievement Award, the Society of Properties Managers Award for Outstanding Puppetry, and—alongside the two other student designers—the National Award for Outstanding Puppetry Design and Construction.
I couldn’t be more proud of my fuzzy, wild, and weird creatures.
Recognition:
Our production was entered into several competitions through the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. I received the Meritorious Achievement Award, the Society of Properties Managers Award for Outstanding Puppetry, and—alongside the two other student designers—the National Award for Outstanding Puppetry Design and Construction.
I couldn’t be more proud of my fuzzy, wild, and weird creatures.Post edited by Carissa Alanis on
1
Comments