This week, the Puppeteers of America Board of Directors convened in Detroit, MI for our annual meetings. We now get to have a BLAST at the Great Plains Regional Festival, AKA “Motor City Puppet Blast.”
This amazing 3-day puppetry festival features outstanding performances, film screenings, and workshops, most of which take place at one of the country’s most incredible art museums, the Detroit Institute of Art. On Thursday, we also had the opportunity to visit the beautiful PuppetART Center with its incredible collection of puppets from all over the world.
This morning, I went to a workshop called “Tools and Tricks of the Trade” taught by Tom Tucker and David Syrotiak. They covered everything from triple clamps to polyethylene sheets to alternative uses for recycled deodorant rollerballs! Now, I’m off to explore the DIA’s impressive art collection (including their enormous Diego Rivera murals…AMAZING!) before watching performances by some of my favorite companies, including Puppetkabob and Manual Cinema.
If you’re in Detroit, stop by and see a show! Many of the festival performances are open to the public. Our thanks to the Detroit Puppeteers Guild, the Great Plains region, and the Detroit Institute of Art for putting together a wonderful event!