Meet Damon Young | Shadow Puppeteer & Teaching Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Damon Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Damon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Well it was rather organic. I’ve always been drawn to theater and became fascinated by shadow puppetry when on one magical evening I encountered a Balinese puppet master performing stories with the gamelan orchestra on the Emory University campus. When I became a parent I saw how important this process of using the imagination and stories were for children, and how few opportunities children had just to hear stories. We also homeschool our kids, so are always learning and observing what makes kids light up about learning. Thinking in terms of education as part of life: theater is a place where science, math and storytelling come together effortlessly. So the family started putting together our own shadow puppet shows, making the puppets and scenery and I began touring and performing to happy audiences. Shadow puppet theater is real theater projected live, on a scale so small that we can rehearse in the living room and drive a show across town in the back of our car. Schools were interested in something that made the kids excited about learning science and history and literature. We spend a lot of time in libraries so library shows were a logical step.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I make Shadow Puppet Theater because it is pure magic and fun! Shadow puppetry can make stories vivid and real while still leaving room for the imagination. The art has ancient roots, yet also brings profound shared experiences in modern audiences. Many of the stories we tell are old favorites: we work to bring humor and laughter, and the magical feeling: the “wow” factor with sleight of hand and special effects. Our test audiences, sometimes also artists, puppeteers, musicians and writers too are our family and close friends. My job is ringmaster and storyteller to connect with the audience with the spirit of spontaneity from the outset, so families (kids and their parents alike) are onboard for the ride.

My ace is my behind the scenes artist partner, who helps with choosing, adapting and writing our stories. She also designs the characters and sets, then I add mechanics, music, and special effects like light and sound design, then our designer friend Tim polishes the presentation with fliers and aesthetic consultation. We do a combination of writing and improv for the comedy. Comedy is an art, especially comedy designed to work for an audience of all ages: the humor should work on multiple levels and should always be generous and kind-spirited. We keep in mind always that we are providing role models for children, who are sensitive, impressionable and intelligent.

I love the fact that shadow puppets are inexpensive and very easy to make. I host workshops and encourage kids and families to try it out themselves.

I’ve also recently had the fortune to be called in to produce hand shadows and puppet shadows for commercials and other video productions. Most recently we created and performed the hand shadow puppet sequence for Marvel’s Hawkeye playing on Disney Plus. It was a delight and honor to work with Bert and Bertie who also directed Troop Zero.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Absolutely plan a visit to the Center for Puppetry Arts. This is where I have been nurtured for about 20 years since I moved to Atlanta. The Worlds of Puppetry Museum features a Jim Henson wing, as well as one devoted to puppetry as a multifaceted International and historical art form. The shows are amazing, and the workshops are a wonderful opportunity for kids and grown ups alike to create, and play with the artform of puppetry. www.puppet.org

You can leave the kids at home and take in one of Beau Brown’s adult puppet slam productions held periodically through the year! https://www.facebook.com/ThePuckinFuppetShow/

I would be sure to check out the East Atlanta Farmers Market, and Q’s amazing EAT-A-VISION (eatavision.com) in which cinema meets themed cuisine!

And of course my favorite spots in Atlanta are it’s beautiful parks and libraries!!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ok wow – I have received loving encouragement and mentorship from several Atlanta artists including Michael Haverty, Aretta Baumgartner, Lee Bryan & Barry Stuart Mann, among others!

Most special credit goes to my biggest inspirations: Diana, my kids, and my mom Dr. Elinor, who has always been there with love, support, and superb instructional design skills.

Website: https://www.theaterartsandpuppets.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadpuppet/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theaterartsandpuppets/

Image Credits
Joeff Davis, Michael Messing