The Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam returns to Theater Off Jackson tonight (Jan. 14) at 8:00 p.m.
Seattle actor and puppeteer Gavin Cummins is a co-founder of the event. Gavin has build puppets for numerous local productions including Youth Theater Northwest's recent Sleeping Beauty.
OK, people are familiar with the idea of a poetry slam. How is a "puppet slam" similar or completely different?
At it's core a puppet slam is very similar to poetry slam but with a different artistic medium; puppets instead of poetry. There are puppet slams happening all over the country and the world that take many different forms. We define puppet slam as "adult short form puppetry" and hope that keeps parameters as wide a possible. In practice Fussy Cloud is a cabaret with various puppet acts from across the Northwest.
When did you do your first show involving puppets?
My first show with puppets was "Momotaro: The Peach Boy" with Thistle Theater. I met Brian Kooser in that show who created "Dracula: A Case Study" at Monkey Wrench (one of my favorite shows I have ever been). I have worked pretty steadily with Jean Enticknap (Thistle Theater) and Brian over the past few years
What is the appeal of working with puppets?
For me personally, it is appealing because it feels like home. I love the invention, the craftsmanship, the creativity and the collaboration that goes into puppetry. Then bringing things to life. Puppeteers often called themselves 'doll wigglers' because that is essentially what we do; we grab a thing and shake it in front of people. However, what actually happens is that we bring things to life and when it is alive it is a puppets. I find something magical in that space, you can touch on the emotional minutia of life or make a joke that only a puppet could get away with.
Why do actors like this type of short form theater?
I think short form theater is essential for any type of performance artist. It is a place to both experiment and expand your craft. It is like the difference between a novel and short story or a poem. Not every artistic or emotional nugget needs a large over arching narrative or production. Some great ideas are 5 minutes long. At the same time, it is incredibly beneficial to try new ideas that may grow into something larger or be a piece of something larger.
What type of audience has been attracted to previous slams?
I thought that would be easy to define but the audience I have seen is incredibly varied. I think the only unified characteristic I could pick out is, "folks who are interested in puppets" and looking for something different to experience.
What type of audience shouldn't come to a puppet slam?
Young children and people who actively hate puppets. I think we can turn around people passively hate puppets. It is not an appropriate show for children, but I think it is right in a teenager's wheel house. One thing nice about short form puppetry, if you don't like an act and new one that is entirely different will be coming up just around the corner.
Is Seattle a puppet friendly town?
Yes and I think it is growing. One of the big goals I have for Fussy Cloud is cultivate relationships with other cities. Portland is another great city for puppetry and we are working to get puppeteers collaborating performers and venues so these smalls act and hopefully larger shows in the future have more space to live and grow. This fall was especially great for puppetry, War Horse is raising the possibilities of puppetry, in Seattle we launched Fussy Cloud, Drunk Puppet reemerged, Sgt. Rigsby had full production, Kyle Loven had a short performance run and of course the Muppets came out.
What does Fussy Cloud and troupes like Monkey Wrench Puppet Lab and their Drunk Puppet event bring to the Seattle scene?
I think what has been lacking in Seattle is a proper puppet community that includes (perhaps most importantly) an audience. Puppetry has lived in this cross over world of theater and cabaret. I am hoping Drunk Puppet will continue as it is similar but different event from Fussy Cloud and having both can help foster this audience. What all these puppet folk in and around Seattle bring is an incredible skill and talent. There are more people than I can being to list who have a talent that just blows you away when you see them. It is not just their skill, but their willingness to share it. I hope I can bring them to everyone else.
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