Introducing the Puppets from The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus!
“Anything can truly be used to build a puppet. I think just letting your mind be open to the multiple uses of any object. Turn it around, flip it over, test things out.”
Savannah Irish as Prince Desert Marigold with the puppet ensemble from left to right: Dennis, Sheila (on ladder), Leon, and The Twins
Production Photo by Katie Day
Can you describe what your job as a Props Designer means?
As Props Designer, I have designed and constructed the kid puppets and the coyote for this show. I collaborated with Savannah, the actress, and Tess, the director, among other members of the production team, to make the pieces functional for the play. All the various parts of this show have been coming together for a very rich and unique take on The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus.
The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus is a one person show but with LOTS of other characters. What has been your process in creating these puppets that help tell the story?
I read and reread the play multiple times, trying to get a feel of the atmosphere. I’m a very character-focused artist, perhaps even writer. I was struck by each of the characters in different ways and I tried to embody their personalities without giving out too much distinct information that was absent from the script. I wanted the audience to be able to insert a little of themselves or someone they know into the characters; however, it is really important that they are generalized stand-ins as well. I settled on a couple key details for each character as I went through objects and materials I had laying around my studio, like “oh, the twins obviously wear tutus” and “Sheila needs tangled hair and eyes that light up a bit.” As I started settling on initial details, each character began to take shape and I followed them where they wanted to go.
“I was struck by each of the characters in different ways and I tried to embody their personalities without giving out too much distinct information that was absent from the script. I wanted the audience to be able to insert a little of themselves or someone they know into the characters”
Savannah Irish as Dust Cloud with The Twins
Production Photo by Katie Day
What kind of tools or equipment help you do your job as a Props Designer? How do you source the materials to make these puppets?
When I first was considering the puppets I walked along the side of the road and collected trash, honestly. None of these parts made it into any of the puppets, but I’m hanging onto those treasures regardless. I ended up perusing through old canvas drawings of mine and repurposing those along with fabric that I’ve collected from free bins, discount piles, and friends’ wardrobes over the years. Some of the characters’ eyes were once buttons or jewelry owned by my partner’s grandmother. I almost exclusively sewed by hand throughout the process; it merely felt like the right thing to do.
Puppets Leon and Sheila, mid-progress (with a furry pal as support!)
What has been the most exciting part about designing Props and Puppets for The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus?
Something that surprised me in grad school was that theatre kept surfacing in my work. Whether drawings or installations or costumes and performance — theatre continued to be of importance. I never truly collaborated much with theatrical performance before, and the opportunity to do so at Maddy’s Theatre has been an invigorating and collaborative experience. It has reminded me of why I create in the first place.
What has been the greatest challenge with The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus so far?
The greatest challenge for me was trusting my instincts on how the puppet design should take place. At first I was thinking that the puppets should be built directly from found objects, however as time progressed, it seemed more as if the puppets could be odd found objects in and of themselves. This differentiated them from the “junk” but also kept them as part of this world.
Savannah Irish as Dust Cloud, operating Dennis with some found-object stilts
Production Photo by Katie Day
These props and puppets are all about using whatever we have handy! What advice do you have for kids and families who want to build their own found-object creations at home?
Anything can truly be used to build a puppet. I think just letting your mind be open to the multiple uses of any object. Turn it around, flip it over, test things out. There’s also this fascinating phenomenon called pareidolia, which is basically humans’ instinct to find faces in inanimate objects. So if something vaguely resembles an upright face, it will read to the viewer as a face automatically. However, I’m not certain every puppet needs a face — I suppose that’s where some fun comes in, as well.
Savannah Irish as Dust Cloud with Prince Desert Marigold (left) and Sheila (right)
Production Photo by Katie Day
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to get into Props (or Puppet!) Design?
Be prepared to be flexible and open to communication. A play has many moving parts and we’ve all connected on this show together. Also, have fun with it, and don’t forget to trust yourself and your instincts, as well.
“I never truly collaborated much with theatrical performance before, and the opportunity to do so at Maddy’s Theatre has been an invigorating and collaborative experience. It has reminded me of why I create in the first place.”
Follow Megan and her artistic adventures via her website and on Instagram: @oh_sweet_beast. Share your own found-objects creations with us by tagging Maddy’s Theatre on Facebook or Instagram @maddystheatre!
The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus runs through October 11th. Tickets start at $10 and Members receive a 10% discount. Maddy’s Theatre welcomes artists and audience members of all ages and abilities.
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