Sean P. Mette: Puppeteer
In 2005, I began my career as a professional puppeteer. Since then I have I crossed the country performing puppet shows at libraries, schools, museum and everywhere in between. I have performed solo puppet shows, black light puppet shows, shadow puppet shows, film/television puppetry. I cannot imagine my life without puppets.
Alone, a puppet is just an object. It takes a performer to bring it to life and give it it’s soul.
The following are some major highlights as a puppeteer, followed by links to galleries featuring photos and videos.
Unintentional Significance: A Puppet Show About Everything and Nothing
Unintentional Significance is a filmed puppet show series of filmed puppetry performances specifically designed to cause the viewer to derive their own meaning from the performances being presented. Sequences feature a mop playing chess, a blue lightbulb, a bunny trying to find acceptance, a monkey in a cemetery, puppets on fire, puppets underwater and so much more.
This award winning puppet film premiered as part of the 2021 Cincinnati Fringe Festival and has since been a virtual component of several other festivals. In March 2022, it won the 2022 Young-Howze Theatre Journal’s Show of the Year.
Blackbeard the Pirate: Resources Are Limited
Among the many opportunities that puppetry has provided, I am very proud of the work that I have done with CET Public Television’s educational series, SmartPath with Megan Piphus. The series combines live-action, music videos, original songs, comedy, ventriloquism, and puppetry to teach children about money and fiscal responsibility. To date, I have been part of the following episodes:
Blackbeard the Pirate: Resources Are Limited (Watch here)
Blackbeard Learns a Lesson (Watch here)
Wheat Bread, Fruit, or Cheese? (Watch here)
Five Thousand Dollars Video (Cash & Driving Sequences) (Watch here)
Madcap Puppets
In the total 15 years that I was with Madcap Puppets, I performed in over 25 different shows, with hundreds of performances to thousands of children of all ages. For five and half of those years, I toured the country performing solo puppet shows, two person puppet shows, black light puppet shows, shadow puppet shows and personal puppet appearances of all different varieties. Although I am no longer affiliated with Madcap Puppets they were invaluable to my development as a professional puppeteer.
(Pictured: Miranda McGee talking to Mark Twain (operated by Sean P. Mette) from Twain’s Twisted Tales)
Puppet Gallery
“You’re the puppet guy, right?” Oh, the number of times that I have been asked that. The following gallery are some glimpses into my adventures performing for audiences.
Puppetry Video Playlist
Pictures are great, but do you have video? Yes, I do! The following is a playlist on my YouTube Channel of puppetry videos. The playlist updates, at least once a month, with new videos.