Portfolio

No Strings

No Strings Landmine Safety Film / Afghanistan Chucheqhalin, the little carpet boy and Jaladul, the Camel were built for No Strings landmine safety film by Heather.  No Strings co-founder and creative director, Michael K. Frith designed both characters.		Designs by Michael Frith.

No Strings HIV / AIDS films Shown here are the puppets built by Heather and team for three No Strings HIV/AIDS films. Heather created the patterns / mockups and managed the assembly line style build of nine characters. Once again, Michael K. Frith designed all the characters. Above you can see the sketches and in process mockup for one of the boys. The boy is seen completed in the picture of the soccer game; he is in the red shirt.		Designs by Michael Frith.

No Strings Haiti The little girl under the bed and hugging her doll is Antoinette. The mutt in the group photo is Buddy. Both built by Heather, with the help of Jim Kroupa from 3/Design Studio, who gave Buddy his wonderful facial expressions, by building ear and eyebrow mechanisms. Michael K. Frith designed these fabulous characters for the No Strings film, Magic Heart, which deals with childhood trauma. Go to the website www.nostrings.org.uk to view all our films		Designs by Michael Frith.

Jim Henson Productions

Here are two characters built by Heather at Jim Henson Productions. The Dirt Sister was created for City Kids and the Zydeco Girl was for Muppets Tonight.

Between the Lions

Heather worked at 3/Design Studio for many years with Jim Kroupa, John Orberg and Matt Stoddart. During her years with them WGBH and Sirius Thinking created Between the Lions, puppet design by Michael K. Frith. Heather's job was the building of various character bodies, arms, legs, hands, feet, as well as doing finishing work including hair, jewelry, shading etc.

 

Magic Tent

The Magic Tent was created by Sophia Ali, CEO of International Children’s Television, Kathy Mullen and Michael Frith. Puppet designs were conceived and illustrated by Michael K. Frith. Shown here is Pashmina the parrot, built by Heather, the build coordinator for The Magic Tent pilot. Polly Smith constructed Pashmina’s fabulous costume. Notice the Camel, he too was built by Heather.

Sesame Street

Here is a pail of water and vegetable puppets Heather built for Sesame Street. Heather has worked at Sesame for years building, featuring, wrangling, photo styling, and puppeteering.

Johnny and the Sprites

The Sprites were designed by Michael Schupbach and built by 3/Design Studio. Most of Heather’s work on the Sprites at 3/Design was building the Sprites extremities, some bodies, and hair.

The Horn Report

These photos are of puppets Heather built while working with 3/Design Studio for a pilot called The Horn Report.The buffalo, deer, impala, and bull were constructed by Heather.  For the other characters, Heather did finishing work .

Rock Odyssey

Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami-Dade County commissioned Heather to build this 8 foot Cyclops. The team to create this giant with was Polly Smith for creating his design, body, and costume.  Jim Kroupa created his head mount, mouth,  backpack, and eye mechanism. Heather's job was the project coordinator,  building  the head, hands, feet with shoes and pitching in where needed.  Notice the car in the background!

Hans Christian Andersen Celebration Copenhagen

These larger than life puppets were created for the Celebration in Copenhagen honoring the works of Hans Christian Andersen. The Orlando based company Hard Drive hired Heather to create the head and hand patterns for three of the characters. The final pattern adjustments were made by John Orberg of 3/Design. Rigging, costumes, and painting were executed by Hard Drive. Who the designer was I do not know, but they are stunning.

 

Peter and the Wolf

The wolf puppet in this picture was built by Heather for Peter and the Wolf performed at the University of Connecticut.  The characters were designed by Mark Gale.

Topo Gigio Inspired Doll 

Heather was asked to make a poseable Topo Gigio inspired doll. He stood about 8" tall.

Frog Pond

Livia Beasley developed a pilot called Frog's Pond, she asked Heather to design the characters and build one of them. Here is Jeremiah Frog

Bosom Buddies

Bosom Buddies was conceived, designed, built, and directed by Heather at the Eugene O'Neill. puppetry conference. The piece is a friends journey through breast cancer.The bosom's leg mechanisms were created by Jim Kroupa of 3/Design Studios. Lenny Pina was the Dramaturge. Derron Wood Executive Director of the Flock Theater, New London, CT. was a performer and assistant director.

Big Big World Banana Prop

The banana prop was made for Big Big World by Heather, who was also co-supervisor of the onset puppet shop with Jim Kroupa.

Art Deco Inspired Marionette

Art Deco inspired marionette was created by Heather at the University of Connecticut