San Francisco, CA – The first weekend of June 2024 marked a milestone in the world of puppetry as artists from across the country gathered for the inaugural Puppet Summit. Co-curated by the ethereal Charlotte Lily Gaspard of Brooklyn’s Midnight Radio Show, Caryl Kientz of San Francisco’s Shadowlight Productions, and produced by Alita Edgar of the San Francisco Institute of Possibility, the event was an enchanting blend of conference and showcase, spotlighting the obscure, underground, and experimental talents in puppetry.
Charlotte Lily Gaspard, described by Faerie Magazine as “part celestial creature, part sophisticated human,” is a visionary in the field of shadow puppetry. As the founder and artistic director of Midnight Radio Show, Gaspard has dedicated her career to activating imaginations and celebrating playfulness. Her work has earned acclaim from various prestigious publications, including The New York Times and The Brooklyn Paper.
Midnight Radio Show, a multi-disciplinary collective, is renowned for its use of hand-made shadow puppets, live performances, video content, and an actual radio show. The group challenges conventional divisions between band, theater troupe, and producing company, offering a unique blend of folk, jazz, and soul. With a rotating cast of dancers, performers, and poets, and original scores by resident composers Zera Bloom, Sabrina Chap, Nebraska (FKA Jessie Davis), Malik Work, and Doc Frost, Midnight Radio Show creates intergalactic fairy tales that captivate audiences of all ages.
Gaspard’s expertise extends beyond her own company. She has designed puppets for theater and film, including the acclaimed “A Snowy Day & Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats.” Her creations have been described by Mommy Poppins as “incredible shadow puppets that will amaze the audience.” Additionally, she teaches at Child’s Play NY, a children’s theater company, and leads puppetry and theater workshops throughout New York City and beyond.
The Puppet Summit in San Francisco, held from May 31st to June 2nd, 2024, was a testament to Gaspard’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of puppetry. Co-curated with Caryl Kientz of Shadowlight Productions and Alita Edgar of the SF Institute of Possibility, the event brought together puppeteers from across the country to question and redefine the genre. The summit featured the remarkable Pandora Gastelum of the Mudlark Public Theatre and New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival, whose work added a rich layer of depth and diversity to the event. Local to the Bay Area featured puppeteers included Dave Haaz-Baroque of Shadow Circus, Risa Lenore of Possibly Puppets, Fred C. Riley of Odd Savvy, among many others.
Attendees of the Puppet Summit were treated to a series of performances, workshops, and discussions that highlighted the innovative and often underappreciated aspects of puppetry. The event served as a platform for artists to share their unique approaches and challenge traditional perceptions of the art form. The weekend culminated in a Puppet Procession, an opportunity to showcase the work created by participants over the weekend workshops, alongside professionally built parade puppets created by Raining Chainsaws, Haley Who, and others.
Charlotte Lily Gaspard’s role in the Puppet Summit not only showcased her exceptional talent but also underscored her dedication to fostering a vibrant community of puppeteers. Her work continues to inspire and enchant, proving that puppetry, in all its forms, is a powerful medium for storytelling and artistic expression.
For more information about Charlotte Lily Gaspard and Midnight Radio Show, visit their website or tune in to their YouTube channel.
