The finished product

The finished Johnny Appleseed

Johnny with his hat

Johnny waiting for his rods

close up of his face

It's been a fun process developing his look.  Johnny is now complete.  It's now play time to see where he'll take me.  It's been a chore to get into his head and out of mine.  John Chapman was a brilliant, although eccentric, environmentalist with an amazing level of endurance.  Where to go with him?  So many possibilities for so many different audiences.  I guess I'd better make sure I know my audience.

Johnny Appleseed

I moved to the Chicago area this summer and wanted to get back into puppetry.  I have a Master of Arts from UConn in puppetry, but haven't done much more than a little freelance work in years.  I found Von Orthal Puppets online and signed up for their Rod Puppet class.  I've always wanted to do a show about Johnny Appleseed.  What better time than now to start?

The puppet is made of stuffed muslin and a paper mache head.  It was exciting to get back into building for myself rather than someone else.  Cynthia is very supportive and creates a fantastic atmosphere for creativity.  Johnny is complete now...

...the script isn't.  I have about 2-1/2 weeks to put together a five minute piece to perform.  We are required to perform the puppets for the final class, a practice I fully support.  A puppet isn't a puppet until it performs. Writting a script has always been my nemesis.  Actions, words, intent...from brain and concept to puppet and audience.  Still researching.

More to follow...