A portrait of the work-in-progress Cypress puppet by William PK Carter
As an interdisciplinary artist from Central Valley, NY with intersectional identities, William PK Carter creates work that exists between mediums and social norms. Currently developing their project Something Must Give — And It Will Not Be Me with the support of Puppet Showplace’s Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers, William recently shared a few of their thoughts about the program:
A test of Cypress' personality on a more intimate scale, filmed with an incomplete version of a puppet developed for “Something Must Give — And It Will Not Be Me” by William PK Carter
Puppet Showplace: Can you describe your project in a few sentences?
Something Must Give (And It Will Not Be Me) is a puppet piece about belonging — centering a fantastical creature, Cypress, returning to their childhood home after outgrowing it.
Using an assortment of puppet manipulation styles, these quilted fabric puppets illustrate the struggle between family members as they learn how to coexist once more.
A test of Cypress' walking, filmed with an incomplete version of the puppet outdoors, by William PK Carter
Puppet Showplace: What inspired (or is inspiring) the work you are creating during your Creative Residency?
This piece is based on my experience of returning home after graduating from undergrad. I pull visual inspiration from my physical house as well as fantasy media that I consumed during this time in my life, especially Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal (1982) and Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke (1997).
Concept Art: “This image is one of the concept sketches that I created in order to give myself and my cohort an understanding of my piece's aesthetic,” says William PK Carter
Puppet Showplace: What have you found most rewarding or beneficial about your experience so far with the Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers?
I've found the sense of community that the Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers provides to be the most beneficial for me.
As someone who is relatively new to the puppet world, it's incredible to have one of my first cohorts be composed of people that reflect my identities. In addition, everyone involved brings something unique to our conversations, and I look forward to hearing and understanding their perspectives of my work.
Puppet Showplace is proud to support boundary-pushing artists like William. Follow William on Instagram, and subscribe to Puppet Showplace’s newsletter to be notified about performances by Creative Residency fellows!
Interested in learning more about the Creative Residency program and our current cohort? Find more details about current and post fellows here →
