Interviews with 1,2,3 Puppetry cast and crew members for “An Upcoming Society”
After taking a year break due to the COVID 19 pandemic, 1,2,3 Puppetry is back and they look to make a statement in their big return to the stage this May.
I interview creator and director Sol Ramirez and his crew about the process behind their big comeback, and go into detail with the puppeteers about their work and experience this year.
“An Upcoming Society” uses masks, acting, music, movement, dancing, and giant puppets to promote a social and environmental justice message.
“Although the name of this year’s production is An Upcoming Society, there are only a handful of acts in the performance that takes place in the future. It would be easy to show an audience what we feel our future society will be and become super preachy with the whole production, but I prefer the concept of giving the audience small peaks into a possible future, and the rest of the scenes be a current day or from our past. It really follows the saying “to know your future, you must know your past and present”, showing the audience the reality of our current society can help them come to their own conclusions on what an upcoming society could possibly look like.”
Sol Ramirez
“We’re using three skeleton characters as spiritual guides throughout the whole show. The skeletons are the spirits of our ancestors, and it’s meant to honor the practices and celebration of Día de Los Muertos, day of the dead. It’s a central piece of Hispanic culture and heritage, and anytime I can represent my culture and background in my art, I want to be able to do so to the fullest extent.”
Sol Ramirez
1,2,3 Puppetry Cast and Crew bios
Sam is a 12-year-old middle school student who has worked with 1,2,3 Puppetry for the past four years. They play many different roles in this year’s show, most notably a skeleton, police officer robot, and the book girl.
Jasper is a 17-year-old high school student who has been one of the longest-running puppeteers for the company, making his debut in 1,2,3’s 2017 production “Earth to Mankind”. He, along with his father, Aeon, is a huge staple in 1,2,3 Puppetry’s puppet building process.
Kennedy is a 12-year-old middle school student, who is making her debut as a puppeteer for 1,2,3 Puppetry this year. She has many roles this year, including being the head of a large monster, a skeleton, and the girl who thinks.
_sol_ramirez’s profile picture
Zola is a 12-year-old middle student, and the sister of creator and director, Sol Ramirez. She is the longest-running puppeteer in 1,2,3 Puppetry history and has roles this year as a skeleton, blue manakin bird, and more.
Sophia is a 17-year-old artist and puppeteer. She has worked as a painter, seamstress, and embroiderer, as well as being an intern for Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Although she has helped 1,2,3 Puppetry over the years, this will be her debut as a full-time cast member.
Tarin is a 13-year-old middle school student, who has been involved in puppetry nearly his whole life. In his young career, he has worked as a solo performer as well as with Paperhand Puppet Intervention, 1,2,3 Puppetry, and his father, Jeghetto. This will be his fourth year with 1,2,3.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
1,2,3 Puppetry presents “An Upcoming Society”.
Saturday, May 15th at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm
Sunday, May 16th at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm
At the Southern Village Green, Chapel Hill, NC. $5 tickets.
1,2,3 Puppetry would like to give a big thank you to the OCAC for once again supporting their show this year with an artist project grant awarded to Sol Ramirez.
