"Shadow theatre sequences provide visual excitement...Benson's puppets are enchanting..."
-Broadwayworld.com
Playwright / Puppet Designer / Builder / Director of Puppetry
Directed by Margarita Blush. Scenic Design by Geoff Ehrendrich. Costumes by Xiachen Zhou. Lighting by Hayley Kaspar.
Goblin Market was produced by Connecticut Repertory Theater as part of my MFA. I wrote the play based on the poem by Christina Rossetti.
7 Goblin rod puppets, a direct manipulation baby puppet, shadow puppets, masks and reflective puppets. Dreams were depicted through he use of shadows and reflective puppets. Shadow masks were instrumental for transformations of size and character to great effect.
Cast:
Colleen Labella - (Jane)
Kaitlyn Gorman - (Elizabeth)
Alyson Danielczuck - (Laurie)
Emmett McMullan - (Dirk)
Puppeteers pictured Left to Right in first photo:
Brian Sullivan - (Gravedigger / Puppeteer)
Harrison Haney - (Gravedigger/ Puppeteer)
Christopher Mullens - (Puppeteer)
Issac Bloodworth - (Puppeteer)
Kalob Martinez - (Puppeteer / Fight Director)
Anamaria Cruciun - (Puppeteer)
Sarah Nolen - (Puppeteer)
Puppet Designs Nominated for IRNE Award.
Puppet Designer / Asst. Director
" In an ingenious twist, that cobbled-together town is replicated in miniature at a crucial moment that takes place in the second play — it’s a delight to behold, and it ties things together in an unexpected, and surprisingly touching, manner. "
- Kilian Melloy, wbur.org
This show was produced by Underground Railway at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, MA and was directed by Debra Wise who, along with Scenic Designer David Fichter, conceptualized it to be created entirely with found objects. I designed and built the specific puppets and props shown here and also served as Assistant Director, collaborated on the creation of the set, the devising of the piece and the direction of the performers.
The miniature city was designed to emulate the set, and became the focal point of the final moment of the show. The driftwood swallow puppet was mechanized with flapping wings and was a principle character in The Happy Prince. Each of the puppets were built from objects and/or materials that related to their character and the themes of the show. For example, the seamstress' head is a pincushion fashioned into a face, and the Mathematical Master is made of measuring instruments.
The Little Match Girl was performed by Eliza Fichter, the Happy Prince by David Keohane.
This large scale puppet performance was commissioned to be performed at Music In Motion, in collaboration with the Juventas New Music Ensemble at Club Oberon in Cambridge, MA. The music, by Libby Larsen, and the puppetry were both inspired by the life and work of Georgia O'Keefe. I conceived, designed and directed the piece, and was aided in the devising work by Wanda Strukus and Jeff Bellin, with assistance from Roxanne Morse.
It’s Only Natural, was a workshop showing of an object theater work in progress, which I directed at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Object puppets fittingly portray the life cycle during which the absurdity of the objectification/vilification of women’s bodies is revealed.
Puppeteers: Danny Miller, Joanne Yoo, Juanita Dawn and Shane McNeal
Music by Simone
Ravening is a newly devised work created for online streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic. All work was done without any of us being together in the same location. Written by Colette Mazunik. Co-Directed with Leigh Miller, Technical Direction by El Armstrong. I also created and performed the shadow puppet which “attacks” the subjects at the climax of the play.
Cast: Ammon Underhill, Reva Williams, Ben Clark, Bill Thompson, Paxton Woodcook, Liam Lieran and Rachael Hogan.
This show was produced in collaboration with Faye Dupras of Foreign Landscape Productions, and premiered at PuppetsUp! in Altmonte, Ontario, Canada. Directed by Julie Goell, Music by Dave Noyes with costumes by Shima Ushiba.
"The bittersweet tale unfolds magically through intimate storytelling, enchanting visual poetry, and explosive cinema graphic effects."
-Amanda Houtari (Executive Dir., Celebration Barn)
“Extremely impressive, creative and smart design choices."
-Sophie Tamas (TIPS Youth Center director)
“…imaginative, magical, and a visual delight.”
-Rachael Garbowski (Programs Director, Waterman’s Community Center)
“This stunning production is unique and evocative, full of beautiful images of The North.”
– Noreen Young, Artistic Director, Puppets Up! (2010)
A show about the environment created with puppets made from upcycled plastics.