Puppeteers, makers, and enthusiastic fans evoked highlights of “Dragon Con 40th Anniversary: Puppetry Track Memories” at 7PM Friday in Marriott A704 (the home of more puppetry track thrills this weekend). Raymond Carr served as moderator and was ably assisted by puppeteers and makers Kathleen O’Shea David, Aretta Baumgartner, Broderick Jones, and Beau Brown (Puppetry Track director), with Whitney Carnes (Puppetry Track volunteers coordinator and Puppet Slam stage manager).
One of two such tracks in fan conventions nationwide, Dragon Con’s Puppetry Track is easily the largest event. It all started with a puppet slam in Dad’s Garage theater (Atlanta) and two puppets who morphed into Bob and Carl, Sci Fi Janitors featured on Dragon Con TV. Their creators were approached to host a puppet slam variety show for adults at Dragon Con. That success led to creation of the Puppetry Track.
Panelists recalled with pride guests they had recruited or appeared with over the years at Dragon Con including the late Caroll Spinney and Adam Kreutinger, Heather Henson, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, Leslie Carrera Rudolph, Barnaby Dixon, and Mary Robinette Kowal, among others. They also gave examples of Puppetry Track events that had been especially momentous to them, including puppet tea parties and fashion shows, Lip Sync-a-Palooza match-ups between puppet ninjas, puppet Lip Sync-a-Palooza, and puppet maker workshops and related Q&A panels.
Carr emphasized that participants often returned to the Puppetry Track and made friendships that last for years. He invited all to come to the panels, hang out and learn something. And, I gathered, have a roaring good time.
