Behind the Shadows

The Perfect Storm....

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:45:13 GMT

The Perfect Storm- notes from Jill Summers, the author of In the Curious Hold of the Demeter: Count Orlock at Sea.

The Incurable Theater is proud to announce the full cast of this October's In the Curious Hold of the Demeter: Count Orlock at Sea. Damien Hinojosa, Emily Tamblyn, Travis Williams, and Jason Adams have been busy at work bringing the script to life in disturbing and hilarious ways under Jennifer Friedrich's direction. There have been some very interesting relationships developing between the human actors and the various puppet actors in the play, one of my favorities being a very complex mother-son bond being nurtured by Emily and our young Count Orlock in a bunraku puppetry style. There have also been some scandelous converstations overheard between the Count and his three un-dead bride rod puppets!

Other exciting news includes the arrival of the sure-to-be coveted Count Orlock mini-pins and the show's stunning poster, which was expertly illustrated by Chris Hefner and Damien, and designed by Susie Kirkwood. Watch for the poster around town and email us if you'd like to post one in your place of business.

In the next few days we will be announcing some very thrilling updates regarding the show's original music score - so stay tuned!

What are the neighbors thinking?

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:46:37 GMT

Unfortunately for all, our studio build shop is located in an old factory that has been built out with paper thin walls. This situation quite often leads to annoyance/confusion/excitement or horror depending on who is listening on which side of the wall.

Last night our neighbors might have heard conversations coming from our side of the wall regarding the following matters if they tried hard enough:

what color the fake sculpy rotting teeth should be
the opening ceremony of the Olympics and all its glory (Jennifer can't shut up about it)
discussion of the man on the bus who cut off the head of his fellow passenger on the way to Canada?
much squealing of cast members running around trying out the mini puppet body characters (see pics) and getting into tiny fist fights and tiny philosophical conversations
what items we needed to replenish at the shop- this list included rubber ears, hair rollers, Musky brand fishing line, fake cigars, quilt batting to make giant puppet bosoms, and more beer

....as you can see this is a very serious build.

Things are taking shape

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:54:44 GMT

Working on three shows at once, while working 'regular' full time jobs, and oh, having a new-ish baby is not always easy, but it's usually fun-ish!

Last night we cranked out some more of the set for the upcoming Millennium Park 'Puppet Adventures' gig we're doing on July 16th & 17th. There's nothing cuter than a miniature version of Wicker Park's 'Six Corners' lying on your studio floor! (the idea being the kids make a puppet and then take it on an 'adventure' to the various sets in Millennium Park that represent Chicago places)

The only thing missing is the upscale boutiques where you can buy a tee shirt for a few hundred bucks. Does anyone remember Wicker Park like, ten years ago?

Joy and our new friend Samantha also made some progress on the puppets for 'Black Pudding'- the trunk show we're creating in the hopes of doing some kid's gigs this summer. We'll be doing a one hour presentation with 30 minutes of performance and 30 minutes of puppet making. The idea is that when we leave the group will have have puppets, a stage (furnished by us) and a lesson plan to continue on with. So if you know anyone interested- hit us up!

Finally our little creep Orlock is coming to life! Damien is working on the sketches and will start creating the Bunraku style puppet that will become young Orlock- basically a life sized child version of the Count.

Exciting stuff!

Living Doll

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:43:13 GMT

It's hard to believe at this time last year we were finishing up closing the studio for a bit, feathering our nest, battling swollen ankles (me) making it through 'Manifest' and getting ready to meet our baby daughter!

Everyone says- 'it goes SO fast'. They are right. I've already taken for granted the way she could fall asleep on my shoulder, and nap for 20 hours a day, and be so tiny and complex. She still is, but getting bigger already, and stronger, and smarter. It's truly amazing.

We hope she likes puppets... And maybe someday will be the star of the show! But if not, that's ok too. It'd be great if she was good at math. Or could fix a car. Those things are really lacking in our little family life ;)

Happy Birthday to Vivian Esme Friedrich Hinojosa, we love you

Experiments in Bald Caps and Wiglets

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:04:57 GMT

Last night in the sweat of the studio we succeeded in turning mild mannered Damien into the sexy beast that is Count Orlock!

First attempts were made in working with the baldcap and latex ears, prosthetic teeth and make-up. We thought he looked quite hilarious but when Grandma Friedrich saw the pix she could only say "OH DEAR!" but in a very playful way of course....

We can see the challanges of this kind of get up for the fall run, but it will be totally worth it! Also we're going to experiment a little with applying the make-up and especially the eyebrow which I don't think we nailed yet.

In addition 80s 'Dynasty' style shoulder pads will be in effect y'all! Hellllzzz ya!

So we're now in production for three gigs- the Summer Family puppet activity at Millennium Park in July, a summer kids touring show ('Black Pudding' written by Jill Summers) and of course the '..Demeter' show for the fall at the Cultural Center. If you are local and a pal feel free to contact us about stopping by during build times at the shop- on Sundays 11-3pm and Monday 5-9pm. We won't be there this Sunday cuz it's Viv's birthday.

Stay in touch!

The Incurables