The PIP's newest comic creation is “Puppet Katamari”, a puppet variety show. This wild interactive show includes pre-filmed puppet video shorts, improvised games, and an underwater black-light 3 act play. Each show is a new experience and can never be duplicated again.
Be aware when choosing your show times there are two to pick from: an UNCENSORED (13+) and a FAMILY MATINEE (6+) version of the show. Come dip yourself into this m...ultimedia extravaganza of puppet fun!"
DATES and TIMES
“Uncensored” shows
Fri. 9/23, Sat. 9/24, Fri. 9/30, Sat. 10/1 @ 8PM
This show will be rated “T (Teen)” for audiences ages 13+
(1 hour 40 min with a 10 min intermission)
Sara's passion for movement, technology and improvisation led to her found the Puppet Improv Project, and she's happy to be directing this new show. In addition to working with the PIP, she is also a current company member of Gnap Theater Projects, Comedy Sportz Austin, and the sound improviser for Get Up.
Topping Haggerty | Principle
Topping Haggerty is fascinated by the brainy crazy joy that comes from anthropomorphizing and she is mildly addicted to improvisation, which makes her as happy as a clam to be playing with the Puppet Improv Project. Topping can also be seen about town playing with Gnap! Theater Projects, Bolik Not ZIB, Da Foundry, Comedy Sportz, and the Topping Haggerty Experience. Topping also dabbles in music, sketch comedy, and scripted theatre. She spent most of her performing life in New York City and received her BA in Theatre from San Francisco State University.
Patrick Knisley | Principle
Patrick is a long time puppet and comedy lover. He's Production Manager for the Puppet Improv Project and an improv instructor at The New Movement (Austin). Patrick performs improv and sketch comedy in projects such as Narwhal and Opposites. In addition he builds puppets, writes and performs with his wife Erica in their comedy variety show, Abstract Rainbow.
Jay Byrd | Principle
Jay Byrd learned at the altar of Sesame Street as a preschooler; marveled at the cleverness of The Muppet Show as a teen; and secretly watched The Teletubbies as an adult. Long before he started performing, he owned Charlie McCarthy and Miss Piggy puppets. In his former life as a storytelling singer/songwriter, he built a transportable puppet stage and puppets made from paint brushes, cassette tapes, FedEx boxes and pine cones, among other things. Then came improv, and a little more than two years later, the opportunity to be part of a puppet variety show... It's a no-brainer.
Chadwick Smith | Principle
Chadwick is a standup comedian and comedy improv performer, instructor, and coach at The New Movement (Austin). He has been a puppeteer since the early 90's and is now a puppet builder as well.
Howard Katz | Principle
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Amy McKenna | Ensemble
Amy's first puppet purchase occurred during a long backpacking trip. It was a large marionette that she then had to carry at her side for the next four weeks. She's been close with the creatures ever since.
Leng Wong | Ensemble
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John Brewster | Ensemble
John Brewster is excited to be performing with the Puppet Improv Project. Originally from Cincinatti, John moved to Austin in 2010 after studying improv in Chicago at the Second City Conservatory, iO, and Annoyance Theaters. He is a member of the troupes Tigers of Macedonia, Scout, Who Dack, and Neenah Foundry, and has toured with the sketch group GERMANS. John thanks his family, friends, and of course, puppets, for their love and support.
Nancy Lyon | Ensemble
Nancy hails from our nation's capital, where politics and politicians are the only things funny (and the wrong kinda funny at that). She moved to Austin to escape and to bask in the glory of music, sunshine and creative people. She spends her days in a lab purifying DNA and is an expert at dolling out liquid in microliter quantities. Her evenings are spent either improvising in the kitchen or with her troupe, Umami. Since her troupemates seem to want to speak for themselves, she decided that puppets are the answer. So far, not one puppet has objected to the words she's put in their mouth.
Sara Farr | Director
