PUppet Slams 
and Adult Puppet Shows

Portland hosts amazing Puppet Slams and opportunities for beautifully crafted adult puppetry performances. Most of the Slams are hosted by Beady Little Eyes and the charismatic Katie McClenahan. Slam performances are always a fun way for me to explore new forms of puppetry and new stories without the parameter of what is deemed "appropriate" or "child-friendly." 

Follow Beady Little Eyes on facebook!

Pop+Puppetry
Music and Shadow puppetry
Performed at Holocene, June 2014

Songs by Sarah Jackson Holman

Little Tree
Performed in PDX Slam, April 2014

Song "Little Tree" by Joe Stevens

Ever since I first heard my friend Joe's song, Little Tree, I dreamed of bringing it to life. My first dream was actually to turn it into a children's book. Then the idea of turning it into a shadow puppet show hit me. I love the layers in this song. While using the frame of a tree growing up, "Little Tree don't be afraid, dream your dream of making shade," the overall message of the story hits me deeply: to love yourself, be patient, and know that you will continue to grow everyday and find your place in the world.  "Though you may be weak and small today, May your roots grow deep so you may sway, you're of this world such a beautiful day." 
The amazingly beautiful Zahra Banzi joined me onstage in an interactive shadow performance, melding live dance/performance, and overhead projector shadow puppetry. This was my first Slam performance and taught me a lot. While I did like and enjoy my performance, I am excited to perform it again and fine tune it a bit.