Pat is a writer and storyteller who, for twenty-five years, brought her work to the stage through puppetry. She and her husband David Tassler toured the country with original shows produced by their company Ha'penny Theatre. Although she continues to teach workshops and residencies in animating stories through puppetry, she has now packed away the puppets for her own performances and set aside the schlepping to free her hands for the next step: unaccessorized stand-up storytelling.
Engaging her audience with material that stretches from hilarious to heart-rending and back again, Pat speaks through gesture as well as through words.
The words, the movement, and, my goodness, how much those stories struck me personally.
-Rebecca Rule, author, raconteur, humorist.
The lake piece went right through me.
-Mimi White, Portsmouth, NH Poet Laureate.
I look forward to seeing more of your work as you venture toward the performer you are meant to be.
-Milbre Burch, storyteller extrodinaire.
Pat's essays have been featured on NH Public Radio. Her first comedic monologues were produced for the stage by New Hampshire Theatre Project as: WAITING FOR THE MAIL/MALE, Tales of the Single Life. She later collaborated with NHTP to co-create their popular touring show WOMENSWERK. WOMENSWERK II will debut in February 2006.
Contact
pat@patspalding.com
411 Brackett Rd.
Rye, NH 03870
(603) 431-1077
Pat is a kinesthetic storyteller who has worked closely with movement theatre director Liz Korabek to bring to life original monologues for adult audiences and classical and contemporary tales for children and families. She is on the NH State Council on the Arts touring roster and Artists in Education program.
Me, My Mother and the Moon - features stories about mother/daughter relationships delivered with humor and a poignant edge of insight.
Motherhood, Menopause, and Big Game Hunting - explores the adventuous discoveries of middle-age
A Bear in the Bronx - (currently being written) will reveal the backstage catastrophies which befall a married couple who discover
that their lives have been highjacked by puppets.
Secrets and Treasures - a collection of Pat's favorite classic and contemporary tales enhanced with movement and audience involvement.
Everyday Heros - a combination of original stories about growing up, growing older, and lessons learned from dogs.
Coyote, Crow, and Buffalo -Native American Tales animated by volunteer participants and introduced by Nootka the Talking Totem Pole. (A pre-show rehearsal is required.)
Animating Stories Through Puppetry - leads everyone in the classroom through the whole process of bringing a story from the page to the stage. Each student constructs a puppet to represent a particular story character, then learns how to animate their character's role through manipulation techniques of movement and emotional expression. Students gain cooperative skills as they learn backstage blocking and participate in the rehearsal process. Each performs in a final production and takes home their puppet to keep.