Puppet parts for MayDay

When you come to a workshop you may consider bringing along some items that will be reused to spectacular effect. Paper and paint often need structure underneath to take shape, just as community needs caring individuals to direct, guide, and lead. Any section you join has items specific to their presentation, but so many of these elements are used in each section, that you can contribute generously with ease.

First off are items that each unit welcomes with gusto;
Fabric; ideally 64" to 72" wide; but when you see some of the puppet frameworks, you'll know what your draper stash can yield.



Bamboo is light and strong, and in strips very flexible. Lashed together with bicycle inner tubes, a puppet is ready to be surfaced with Papier-mache. Bamboo of any diameter over 5' in length is highly desirable.

I would say that coaxial cable is worth its weight in gold, except that its extreme light weight is one its prize features. The cable is easily formed and retains the shape. Not an everyday household item, but a cherished salvaged commodity. If you know a source, you will be a prized friend.

Another relished item would be that aluminum frame backpack that has been in your storage for the last 20 years. Never too many backpack frames for MayDay making. Sections will vie for your pack, or just to have you possibly wear one during the parade. Strong people with no artistic talent can lend a big hand (or back), extra points if you can do a jig as you parade a puppet down the street.



Another item every section seems to put to good secondary use is wire coat hangers, especially the white light-weight hangers.



The sections of the parade have some requests that add to their part of the tale. The BREATH section will take your cereal boxes and paint new life into them.





BREATH will also take your rinsed plastic 1-gallon milk cartons; and you may have plant material in your yard that can incorporated with the giant grass stalks; that just happen to be made from paper "grain sacks" which they would like very much.



Grain sacks, pasted on clothes hanger wire make giant grains.

RETURN is asking for Bundt Cake pans, which will become bongs when struck with mallets. They also would like traditional full-size cymbals.




Straight wood sticks of about 1/2' in diameter and about 2-3 feet long will form ribs for Muerto marchers. The prototype shows a weightier ribbed creation. Weight reduction is a major concern for marching in the MayDay parade.

Some noise will be made in the ROAR section as well. Hand held bells will ring, chime, and charm the procession down Bloomington Avenue South to the MayDay festival in Powderhorn Park.



Chinese lantern lampshades will add to the sights without making a sound. I am wondering what will blossom from an umbrella I will be taking over to the next workshop. I do not doubt it will be awesome.

Of course latex paint and cardboard (at least 3' x 3'), colored paper (especially photographer's background rolls), brown paper bags and newsprint are in constant use. HOBT.org will be a fist step to contributing to making Mayday.

Come to a workshop and experience the puppet making - or is it a recycling center? Contribute your time, talent, material to make MayDay. You provide an important part of the story, and may add a key element or material. There is need for people to help in the set up and tear down, staff the booths, and clean up too. The support people behind the scenes provide invaluable assistance to the artists and performers, without necessarily getting their hands in puppet paste or near a stage.

And FEED THE BEAST is looking for hula-hoops. So as you pull that backpack frame from storage, grab that hoop too.

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre

1500 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN
us

Details

http://www.hobt.org

Tags:

• Theater,

Alan Wilfahrt