"Marianne’s Onion" is a true story told through shadow puppetry in which Marianne Ross, in need of an onion, finds one miraculously in the woods and muses on the meaning of unexpectedly receiving a seemingly mundane gift. This film was produced by Heather Henson's Handmade Puppet Dreams.
The Wonders of Bread (2021)
A "crankie" is a type of puppet show illustrated on a long scroll and cranked across a frame. This crankie was made from wooden dowels, paper, and a locally baked loaf of sourdough bread.
A Tour of Black Cherry Puppet Theater (Documentary, 2021)
For over 40 years, Black Cherry Puppet Theater has been an association of artists and performers committed to the advancement of the art of puppetry located in the historic neighborhood of Hollins Market in Baltimore, Maryland.
Black Cherry has been instrumental in our careers and we feel privileged to have created this short film in celebration of this extraordinary place.
The Unseen World (2021)
This shadow puppet film was commissioned by the brilliant jewelry artist, Amanda, of Eyeba, NYC.
Amanda is a Brooklyn based artist and jewelry maker who creates unique pieces with vintage glass eyes. Until World War II, ocular prosthetics were crafted by skilled artisans from glass. Prosthetic eyes are not made like this anymore, so each piece that Amanda places in a jewelry setting is truly one of a kind.
Fish in Spring (2021)
Fish in Spring is a short puppet film created with wooden puppets carved as part of Bernd Ogrodnik's Academy of the Wooden Puppet. It was shot in the azalea bushes and other flowers around our neighborhood to celebrate Spring.
Animal Nature (2021)
In the budding springtime when the Bluebells bloom, two animals can't help but act on their own natural instincts. This film premiered as part of Black Cherry Puppet Theater's virtual May Day puppet slam.
Mental Amusements (2021)
"Mental Amusements" is a short puppet film created for Brooklyn-based Magician and Mentalist Vinny DePonto. Vinny has created a fantastic magic/mentalism show specifically for the live streaming format during which he broadcasts this film.
Earth, Worm (2020):
No real worms were used or harmed in the making of this film. "Earth, Worm" explores the finer details of soil's role in the world and the unique relationship it has with one of its most important inhabitants. This film was created for the NYC Urban Soils Institute and their 2020 virtual Urban Soils Symposium.
Hadestown - Epic 1 (2020)
This film was created as part of a collaboration with Rainbow Ridge Studio who reached out to various artists to create work inspired by songs from the Broadway musical "Hadestown."
Kindred Spirits (2020)
"Kindred Spirits" is a short puppet film inspired by the fantasy of love at first sight. It premiered at Coney Island's Puppets Come Home, a celebration of Coney Island's 150 year history of puppetry in Brooklyn, NY.
UMWELT (2020)
"UMWELT" is the story of a man who longs to experience the world through the eyes of another creature. This piece is told with shadow puppets and a Crankie, a type of puppet show illustrated on a long scroll and cranked across a frame. "UMWELT" is a show that premiered as part of Creative Alliance's 2020 Baltimore Crankie Fest. It has since been adapted into a 12 minute film.
The Cough Next Door (2020)
"The Cough Next Door" was commissioned as part of an artist residency at the University of Maryland. The piece was created in response to our initial feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic. A big thanks to the Jim Henson Fund for Puppetry and the University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, and to Heather Henson for her support of visiting puppetry artists. An extra special thanks goes out to Leigh Wilson Smiley, Jocelyn Callister, the Design Grad Assistants, and all healthcare workers.
Channel Surfing: Puppet Shorts (2020)
These short interstitial puppet films were created as part of The National Capital Puppetry Festival's presentation of Saturday Morning Puppet Shows, a collection of short form puppet theater geared towards kids and families.
Shine On, Harvest Moon (2020)
"Shine On, Harvest Moon" is a toy theater style puppet short film with shadow puppetry set to music by the inimitable Janet Klein! Janet is an extraordinary chanteuse who we met at Michael Cumella 's Virtual Vaudeville.
Morning Call (2020)
"Morning Call" is a short puppet film that premiered as part of the International Toy Theater Festival Online hosted by Great Small Works. See how the film was conceived and executed here.
