The Full Moon Puppet Show captivates with its "Puppet Slam"

If you are looking for a rowdy night of theatre, The Full Moon Puppet Show is the show for you, As soon as the host called on the audience to howl at the full moon, all expectations of what I was in for went right out the window. This was no quiet sock-puppet show. Oh no. This was going to be a night filled with pudding-pimple-popping and spit-takes. 

I really love Open Eye Figure Theatre--I think it’s my favorite smaller venue in the Twin Cities. There’s just something about how the building is something unexpected that always gets me. First, you wouldn’t suspect a theatre in such a small space, but it’s the perfect space for a theatre devoted to puppets.  And I love puppetry. I love how people are able to breathe life into lifeless objects-- it just mesmerizes me. I’ve always wanted to try it and learn more about it. I just wasn’t sure on how I would do it. The Full Moon Puppet Show might have that answer though…

The Full Moon Puppet Show’s primary founder and host is Liz Howls. I regret not saying “hi” to her, because she seems to have a natural hosting talent and an intoxicating positive attitude. She started the project right after college with a group of friends in 2008. They wanted a deadline to create new art by and decided that the next full moon would be perfect. So, every month, they created a new puppet show and slowly the audience and acts grew bigger. After performing in gardens, store fronts, and anywhere else they could, they found a home at the Open Eye Theatre and have been there for three years. 

The show categorizes itself as a “puppet slam,” a term new to me at the time of seeing the performance. It obviously takes its roots in the term “poetry slam” which are nights where poets come together to share their work, often breaking from the historical “rules” of poetry. You just replace poems with puppet shows and you’ve got yourself a puppet slam! This night is open to people who want to create art-- any one at all. This means the traditional walls that keep potential artists from creating are down, which perfects this recipe for a spectacular time! Also, a time where I see things that traditional theatre wouldn’t dare to touch. 

The performances are just one part of what makes this theatre experience rowdy fun.  The other half is the audience. The audience that came out to support new art reminds me a lot of the Fringe Festival: adventurous, supportive, and they have often been in the performer’s shoes at one point or another. This isn’t a night to sit back and stay quiet, instead you can interact with the host and the puppet shows. I sat next to a person who did just that. At first, I was thrown off, but then I realized that that is the purposeful environment this show cultivates. Once again, it breaks the boundaries of traditional theatre. Even some of the audience members, especially the children who came to see puppet shows, would walk around when they needed to. 

The show itself was wonderful. Seven new pieces were presented and each one was so unique. If you think puppetry is a childish or dead artform, it definitely isn’t (though you could classify this night as having a childish air, but that’s what made it so much fun). Each short play had one lead artist: Alex Young, Shelby Richardson, Denise Hanh Huynh, Adriana Foreman, Steve Ackerman, Izzy Welsh, and Oanh Vu. Each work was so captivating and different from the others. From a show about cranes to a show about fighting demons, it seemed like we had it all. I applaud all the artists who showcased work, as each one made for a wonderful night. 

During intermission, I sat in the theatre’s back garden and thought about the first act. I had only seen four plays, yet I was already in love with the cabaret of puppetry the night had to offer. Have you ever had a moment, as an artist, you see something and you want to be a part of it? I was having that moment right there. I have only had that revelation once before, and it was for the Minnesota Fringe Festival. I began to think about what story I wanted to tell and how I would tell it. I eventually had to stop, however, as the many possibilities became too overwhelming and I wanted to talk it over with my company. But, I vowed I would be involved with The Full Moon Puppet Show eventually. 

The Full Moon Puppet Show plays one more night this weekend: September 28th and then again in April on the 18th-19th. I highly suggest this wonderful night of glorious tomfoolery to anyone who hasn’t been to it before. And if you have, go again. You’ll never know what you may see. You can get tickets here.