This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing

by Finegan Kruckemeyer

Three sisters left behind by their father have to continue on with their lives. One decides to find purpose, one decides to find adventure, and one stays right where she is.

For this piece with Buffalo Seminary I was tasked with creating a puppet of a Badger, present in the scenes with the stationary sister. The puppet had to wink, and therefore had to be built in house. This was the first puppet I ever built.

Production Team

Director: Susan Drozd

Stage Manager:

Costume Designer: Kari Drozd

Photographer: Susan Drozd

As we had minimal supplies, I started by sculpting the base out of chicken wire. The arms are foam glued around wire, and the eyes are sculpted floral foam -- serving as placeholders right now.

As we had minimal supplies, I started by sculpting the base out of chicken wire. The arms are foam glued around wire, and the eyes are sculpted floral foam -- serving as placeholders right now.

I built the mouth and eyes separately. The mouth just flaps, but the eyes are connected to a spring so when you pulled the eye would close to wink then open again.

I built the mouth and eyes separately. The mouth just flaps, but the eyes are connected to a spring so when you pulled the eye would close to wink then open again.

To cover the puppet I draped faux fur straight on top of the frame, and stitched and glued it down.

To cover the puppet I draped faux fur straight on top of the frame, and stitched and glued it down.

Accent pieces in a light grey were added to make badger patterning, and I added a nose from faux leather.

Accent pieces in a light grey were added to make badger patterning, and I added a nose from faux leather.

The claws and lips were felt.

The claws and lips were felt.

The Badger was what got me into puppet making, and even though this technique isn't what I'd do for future projects, it certainly opened my eyes to something I love.

The Badger was what got me into puppet making, and even though this technique isn't what I'd do for future projects, it certainly opened my eyes to something I love.