The Mudcat Puppet Theater
Donation protected
http://www.kvue.com/features/puppets-bring-austin-to-life_20160425030746299/152167832
Hello!
My name is Kevin Long. I have been working as a puppeteer off and on for over 15 years. I am excited to announce that I am starting a new puppet theater called The Mudcat Puppet Theater. The name is inspired by a group of St. Louis Cardinal baseball players who made extra money playing music as The Mudcat Band in the 1930's back when ball players didn't make a heck of a lot of money. They played because they loved it.
Over the years I have worked for several puppet theaters, performing in at least 18 states and two foreign countries. I have learned a lot about how puppet theaters operate. These lessons will go a long way towards making this project a success. I have thought long and hard about how to go about this. I am excited to put this plan into action. My strategy is threefold.
1. I will be making and performing puppet shows. I am currently creating a series of hand puppet shows. Hand puppet shows are easily transportable and tons of fun.
2. I will be teaching puppetry classes and workshops including a series of classes designed specifically for preschoolers.
3. I will be making puppets, puppet stages, and other related art to sell online and at performances.
The goal for The Mudcat Puppet Theater is to make engaging puppet theater that entertains audiences of all ages while providing a sense of community. We will perform in people's yards, in living rooms, in bars, in coffee shops, at barbeques, at birthday parties, in schools, in parks, in the streets, in the woods, on farms, in barns, in boats, in basements, in attics, in vacant lots, and anywhere else that we are welcome. Who knows we may even get a little crazy and perform in an actual theater.
It is my hope that eventually I will be able to turn this into a full time job but, like The Mudcat Band of the 1930’s, I don't expect to make a heck of a lot of money. In the spirit of the original "Mudcats" I am doing this because I love it. Puppetry is not a cash cow. This is okay by me. Living simply suits me fine. Making puppet shows is my dream and it is the thing I do best. I’d love to be able to support myself with this endeavor and bring this joy and teach these skills to others.
While I’ve started toward this end with my limited savings, I need your help to get this project off the ground. I am asking two things of you. The first is to please consider making a donation of any amount. Every dollar really does add up. My second request is that you please share this email and the link to this Go Fund Me site with as many people as you can and ask them to consider making a donation as well. Send emails. Post it on social media. Help me to spread the word far and wide.
You can find the Go Fund Me campaign for The Mudcat Puppet Theater here: www.gofundme.com/kevinspuppets
Funds will be used for things such as building materials, studio rental, a web site, publicity, and hiring other artists for assistance with specific projects such as costuming, scene design, and performing. I work very efficiently and resourcefully, so every dollar counts.
Production for the first show by The Mudcat Puppet Theater is already underway! It is a modern retelling of the classic folktale The Emperor's New Clothes. It is coming along nicely. If you would like to follow our progress updates will be posted on Go Fund Me and Facebook.
You can find The Mudcat Puppet Theater on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mudcatpuppet.
You can contact The Mudcat Puppet Theater on Facebook or by email at [email redacted].
Thank you for your love and support!
Sincerely,
Kevin Long
The Mudcat Puppet Theater
Hello!
My name is Kevin Long. I have been working as a puppeteer off and on for over 15 years. I am excited to announce that I am starting a new puppet theater called The Mudcat Puppet Theater. The name is inspired by a group of St. Louis Cardinal baseball players who made extra money playing music as The Mudcat Band in the 1930's back when ball players didn't make a heck of a lot of money. They played because they loved it.
Over the years I have worked for several puppet theaters, performing in at least 18 states and two foreign countries. I have learned a lot about how puppet theaters operate. These lessons will go a long way towards making this project a success. I have thought long and hard about how to go about this. I am excited to put this plan into action. My strategy is threefold.
1. I will be making and performing puppet shows. I am currently creating a series of hand puppet shows. Hand puppet shows are easily transportable and tons of fun.
2. I will be teaching puppetry classes and workshops including a series of classes designed specifically for preschoolers.
3. I will be making puppets, puppet stages, and other related art to sell online and at performances.
The goal for The Mudcat Puppet Theater is to make engaging puppet theater that entertains audiences of all ages while providing a sense of community. We will perform in people's yards, in living rooms, in bars, in coffee shops, at barbeques, at birthday parties, in schools, in parks, in the streets, in the woods, on farms, in barns, in boats, in basements, in attics, in vacant lots, and anywhere else that we are welcome. Who knows we may even get a little crazy and perform in an actual theater.
It is my hope that eventually I will be able to turn this into a full time job but, like The Mudcat Band of the 1930’s, I don't expect to make a heck of a lot of money. In the spirit of the original "Mudcats" I am doing this because I love it. Puppetry is not a cash cow. This is okay by me. Living simply suits me fine. Making puppet shows is my dream and it is the thing I do best. I’d love to be able to support myself with this endeavor and bring this joy and teach these skills to others.
While I’ve started toward this end with my limited savings, I need your help to get this project off the ground. I am asking two things of you. The first is to please consider making a donation of any amount. Every dollar really does add up. My second request is that you please share this email and the link to this Go Fund Me site with as many people as you can and ask them to consider making a donation as well. Send emails. Post it on social media. Help me to spread the word far and wide.
You can find the Go Fund Me campaign for The Mudcat Puppet Theater here: www.gofundme.com/kevinspuppets
Funds will be used for things such as building materials, studio rental, a web site, publicity, and hiring other artists for assistance with specific projects such as costuming, scene design, and performing. I work very efficiently and resourcefully, so every dollar counts.
Production for the first show by The Mudcat Puppet Theater is already underway! It is a modern retelling of the classic folktale The Emperor's New Clothes. It is coming along nicely. If you would like to follow our progress updates will be posted on Go Fund Me and Facebook.
You can find The Mudcat Puppet Theater on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mudcatpuppet.
You can contact The Mudcat Puppet Theater on Facebook or by email at [email redacted].
Thank you for your love and support!
Sincerely,
Kevin Long
The Mudcat Puppet Theater
Organizer
Kevin Long
Organizer
Austin, TX