The Box King
Told with hand carved marionettes and a transforming cardboard box, The Box King is a family show following two kingdoms.
One with a queen and a kingdom that is clean and very well organized. One with a king and a kingdom that is incredibly forgetful but full of the happiest people you will ever meet.
These two kingdoms are joined together through the marriage of their leaders. But, what happens when the king loses the queen and cannot remember who anyone is any longer? Is putting everything and everyone into boxes the way to keep things organized, or is there more to an organized kingdom?
Conceived, Designed and Constructed by Seth Eberle
Directed by Kurt Hunter
Performed by Seth Eberle and Kallie Melvin
Music by Chase D. Burkhart
The Box King was supported by a family grant from the Jim Henson Foundation.
One with a queen and a kingdom that is clean and very well organized. One with a king and a kingdom that is incredibly forgetful but full of the happiest people you will ever meet.
These two kingdoms are joined together through the marriage of their leaders. But, what happens when the king loses the queen and cannot remember who anyone is any longer? Is putting everything and everyone into boxes the way to keep things organized, or is there more to an organized kingdom?
Conceived, Designed and Constructed by Seth Eberle
Directed by Kurt Hunter
Performed by Seth Eberle and Kallie Melvin
Music by Chase D. Burkhart
The Box King was supported by a family grant from the Jim Henson Foundation.
Photos courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
A short video sample may be found here: https://vimeo.com/690773252
A short video sample may be found here: https://vimeo.com/690773252
With Stars Above
In the winter when the sun sets early, it is easy to feel down. Elvis Otter is lonely and sad. His friends try to help, showing him the ways in which winter is wonderful and how to find joy, even in the darkest of seasons. However, as soon as his friends leave, the Goblins come and gobble up his happiness. How can Elvis chase away the darkness and convince his friends that the Goblins are real?
Through hand-carved marionette characters, hand puppets, and beautiful music, With Stars Above considers how families and friends can find warmth together in the deepest winter.
Directed, created, and produced by Seth Eberle
Written by Claudia Hankin,
Music by Chase D. Burkhart
Performed by Seth Eberle and Kallie Melvin
Photos courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
Through hand-carved marionette characters, hand puppets, and beautiful music, With Stars Above considers how families and friends can find warmth together in the deepest winter.
Directed, created, and produced by Seth Eberle
Written by Claudia Hankin,
Music by Chase D. Burkhart
Performed by Seth Eberle and Kallie Melvin
Photos courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
Video Samples of Selected Solo Work
A video reel highlighting 10 minutes of solo performance work, including The Loneliest Person in the Universe, Dream of Owls, The Ants Who Wanted to Fly, and Grandma Greta's Garden can be found on Vimeo here: vimeo.com/309790725
For video samples of performances Seth has undertaken as part of an ensemble or for other performance highlights, use the contact button on the sidebar.
For video samples of performances Seth has undertaken as part of an ensemble or for other performance highlights, use the contact button on the sidebar.
The Loneliest Person in the Universe
The Loneliest Person in the Universe follows the historical figure Richard Carrington, the first astronomer to discover the connection between sunspots, the Northern Lights, and electromagnetic storms. In a world that is full of loneliness, how can it be tamed and how can we feel less alone in such a vast universe? What do the northern lights tell us, and why are they connected to the sun? Even in the loneliest of moments where can we find a connection with something bigger than ourselves?
A short video sample of The Loneliest Person in the Universe can be found here: https://vimeo.com/311153490
This production was created in conjunction with director Kurt Hunter. This activity was made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) through a grant from The McKnight Foundation in 2017. It was remounted as part of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a cultural appropriation from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund in December 2018. Photos courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
A short video sample of The Loneliest Person in the Universe can be found here: https://vimeo.com/311153490
This production was created in conjunction with director Kurt Hunter. This activity was made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) through a grant from The McKnight Foundation in 2017. It was remounted as part of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a cultural appropriation from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund in December 2018. Photos courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
Lazy Scorsese Blue World Music Video
This video was a collaboration with the band Lazy Scorsese to create a music video of the song Blue World. The contributions made included the mask and puppet characters that were incorporated into the music video. You can watch the video here. The video shows a contrast between living life disconnected from the environment and connected.
Dream of Owls
In Dream of Owls, Little Theo is drifting off to sleep when he is frightened by a hooting sound. His father shows him how to overcome his fear by naming it. As Theo drifts off to sleep, he learns more and more about owls, the source of the sound, from a strangely familiar dream dragon. Will it be enough to banish his nightmare away? Dream of Owls is a show focused on owls and how to overcome your fear by learning about it.
A short video sample of Dream of Owls can be found here: https://vimeo.com/309802025
This show was developed in conjunction with professional naturalists and environmental educators from Silverwood Park and the Minnesota Zoo, including Alyssa Riggs, David Donovan, and Leah Darst. It was also developed alongside two puppeteers giving feedback along the way Anne Sawyer and Julie Boada creating their own shows about birds. The intention of the production is to present a show that would be educationally accurate to an environmental educator as well as to create a show that fellow puppeteers and artists would find interesting to watch. Seth Eberle is a fiscal year 2018 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
The puppets included table-top puppets, hand puppets, and rod puppets. The table-top puppets tell the story of Theo. The hand puppets are his dreams, and the rod puppets are the perspective of the owl that he is afraid of. Throughout the story the set transforms from purely black to crazy dreamland colors with lighting controlled internally. Photos Courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
A short video sample of Dream of Owls can be found here: https://vimeo.com/309802025
This show was developed in conjunction with professional naturalists and environmental educators from Silverwood Park and the Minnesota Zoo, including Alyssa Riggs, David Donovan, and Leah Darst. It was also developed alongside two puppeteers giving feedback along the way Anne Sawyer and Julie Boada creating their own shows about birds. The intention of the production is to present a show that would be educationally accurate to an environmental educator as well as to create a show that fellow puppeteers and artists would find interesting to watch. Seth Eberle is a fiscal year 2018 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
The puppets included table-top puppets, hand puppets, and rod puppets. The table-top puppets tell the story of Theo. The hand puppets are his dreams, and the rod puppets are the perspective of the owl that he is afraid of. Throughout the story the set transforms from purely black to crazy dreamland colors with lighting controlled internally. Photos Courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
Grandma Greta's Garden
In this production, Grandma Greta has saved some of her seeds from last year in order to plant her garden. While waiting for the plants to grow, a sneaky rabbit tries to avoid detection and a bee looks for something to eat. Will Greta stop the rabbit from getting into her garden? Will the bee find a flower to make food?
A short video sample of Grandma Greta's Garden can be found here: https://vimeo.com/309802838
This production was directed by Laura Wilhelm with an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Seth Eberle is a fiscal year 2018 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Photos by Bruce Silcox Photography.
A short video sample of Grandma Greta's Garden can be found here: https://vimeo.com/309802838
This production was directed by Laura Wilhelm with an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Seth Eberle is a fiscal year 2018 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Photos by Bruce Silcox Photography.
The Ants Who Wanted To Fly
Two ants want to fly very badly, so they wait for an egg to hatch, thinking it will be a bird they can hitch a ride on. They are disappointed when they find a caterpillar has hatched out of the egg, but they keep waiting and watching to figure out how to fly. Follow the ants as they discover the joy of the natural world!
A short video sample of The Ants Who Wanted to Fly can be found here: https://vimeo.com/311152295
This production was directed by Anne Sawyer and was made possible thanks to an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Seth Eberle is a fiscal year 2018 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Photos by Bruce Silcox Photography.
A short video sample of The Ants Who Wanted to Fly can be found here: https://vimeo.com/311152295
This production was directed by Anne Sawyer and was made possible thanks to an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Seth Eberle is a fiscal year 2018 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Photos by Bruce Silcox Photography.
The Giant with No Heart in His Body
Created as a cabaret piece at HOBT in the spring of 2016. This piece follows a giant who shrinks after he takes out his heart and a fairy who tries to figure out where the heart is and what to do with it once found. All of the marionettes in this piece were carved from basswood and painted in a style learned in the Czech Republic. Photos courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
Bubblemath Music Video
This set of puppets was created for an upcoming music video. The puppets are representations of the band members along with a female lawyer and a police officer. Photos courtesy of Bruce Silcox Photography.
Buppet Labs: Three Puppet Shows About Bugs
These three productions were created for the Minnesota Zoo by Puppets 'n' People as part of the Big Bugs! Exhibit in the summer of 2014. The shows were performed every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the summer. The first show was about ants and social insects, the second show was about bees and pollination, and the third show was about spiders and defensive strategies. Between each of the performances, performers would street perform to continue to educate about insects and bugs in the exhibit. Sometimes performers would juggle balls and invite guests to play the pollination game. Other times guests would be invited to look at puppet bugs inside of jars and move them while performers taught facts about the bug. Sometimes guests would be encouraged to tap dance and make sounds with their feet in order to talk to a grasshopper, since grasshoppers and crickets communicate with each other by making sound. At some points in the weekend, a giant, stilt walking mantis puppet would walk around the exhibit and interact with guests.
All photos below are courtesy of Jonathan Reynolds Photography & Art.
All photos below are courtesy of Jonathan Reynolds Photography & Art.
Odyssey: The Soles' Journey Home
Odyssey: The Soles' Journey Home was produced at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre as part of the PuppetLab series curated by Alison Heimstead. Seth devised the performance based on a process of social engagement in which an installation was set up around Minneapolis and St. Paul in conjunction with ARTIFY, the Basilica of St. Mary, Powderhorn Park, Waite Community House, and several other community organizations. The installation asked people to respond to the questions: 1) What is home? 2) When did you feel most at home? 3) When did you feel most not at home? These responses were used to develop the final performance. More information about the installation set up is available under the Fine Arts Experience and Portfolio section of the website under Seven Steps Around the House.
This performance used music by Bart Buch assisted by Martin Dosh, puppets designed and constructed by Seth Eberle and green snail puppet designed by Bart Buch. Performances by Chava Curland, Margaret VanDerMolen, Amm-ra Seka, and Seth Eberle. Maren Ward acted as mentor/director for the performance and assisted in connecting each of the performance vignettes in order to create a whole. Photos shown below are courtesy of Bruce Silcox photography.
The performance itself follows a pair of red shoes as the witness the different ideas of home collected from Minneapolis and St. Paul in various forms of puppetry and performance. The shoes travelled to different areas of the stage that told the collected ideas in different forms of puppetry, including hand puppetry, table-top puppetry, large-scale sculpted puppets, and shadow puppetry layered over a stop motion animation. In the end the audience was completely covered by a large, pink canopy that extended over the entire space.
Video samples of the production may be found at this web address: https://vimeo.com/100075426
This performance used music by Bart Buch assisted by Martin Dosh, puppets designed and constructed by Seth Eberle and green snail puppet designed by Bart Buch. Performances by Chava Curland, Margaret VanDerMolen, Amm-ra Seka, and Seth Eberle. Maren Ward acted as mentor/director for the performance and assisted in connecting each of the performance vignettes in order to create a whole. Photos shown below are courtesy of Bruce Silcox photography.
The performance itself follows a pair of red shoes as the witness the different ideas of home collected from Minneapolis and St. Paul in various forms of puppetry and performance. The shoes travelled to different areas of the stage that told the collected ideas in different forms of puppetry, including hand puppetry, table-top puppetry, large-scale sculpted puppets, and shadow puppetry layered over a stop motion animation. In the end the audience was completely covered by a large, pink canopy that extended over the entire space.
Video samples of the production may be found at this web address: https://vimeo.com/100075426
Domingo Siete
This production was performed as part of the Spanish language puppet shows at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre in the summer of 2013. Puppets are needle felted on foam with simple cloth bodies. The production used hand puppets in the front of the stage and projected shadow puppets onto the backdrop to create two levels of performance.
Kid Enkidu Deer and Coyote Puppet Construction
The deer and coyote puppet bodies were constructed of foam and fabric with dowels and PVC pipe used as controls. This show was directed by Bart Buch with puppets and masks designed by Bart Buch and Blake Love.
Wokashi: An Evening of Classical Japanese Kyogen Comedies Mask Fabrication
These masks were based on classical Japanese Kyogen masks. They were made by consulting guest artist Tokuro Miyake while she was in residence at North Dakota State University. The masks were created by sculpting clay, then casting the clay form into plaster. The negative plaster was then used to create a positive mask.