Join Emmy-nominated Sesame Street puppeteer Leslie Carrara-Rudoph for a wild and whimsical adventure that shows kids how to meet the challenges of being bullied by championing their unique gifts. Carrara-Rudoph is excited to bring her premier performance of “Wake Your Weird” to her hometown at the Lesher Center for the Arts.
“Wake Up Your Weird” (Sept. 22-Oct. 2) is a multimedia one-person show that addresses childhood bullying and self-esteem issues and teaches kids how to navigate life creatively. The positive messages of “Wake Up Your Weird” are geared towards kids, ages 6 and up.
“Wake Up Your Weird” began as a one-act musical developed at the Ojai Playwright conference in 2009 and further developed at the Eugene O’Neil Puppetry conference in 2011. It has received a Jim Henson Foundation Grant and was awarded a Union Internationale de la Marionette Citation of Excellence for the version that was performed at the 2009 International Puppetry Conference. In 2010 it was featured at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta
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Act I tells the story of a candy-loving sock puppet named Lolly Lard pop who gets bullied out of a play date. She deals with her hurt feelings by creating a tale about a girl who takes her brain out of her head, puts it on a leash and lets her mind wander. Characters include a Fairy Grandmother, a giant green lizard and a flying grandma. Lolly learns the power of being herself and following her heart.
Act II is a 25-30 minute audience participation performance and workshop. Carrera-Rudolph talks about how the voice, body and imagination are the three “magic ingredients” that can make ideas come to life and “wake up your weird.” Carrara-Rudolph’s personal mission is to champion individuality through creativity.
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“I wrote this play because I thought it was a whimsical way I could address some of the emotional issues young people are dealing with today and give them some creative tools to express themselves,” Carrara-Rudolph says. “I wanted to show kids how easy it is to access their imaginations.”
Carrara-Rudolph is a multi-faceted performer who is well known to East Bay residents. She trained with Walnut Creek’s Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble for 13 years and appeared in musicals with the Diablo Theatre Company and the Willows Theatre Company. She earned her bachelor’s degree in child development through art from San Francisco State University.
Carrara-Rudolph will be available to do workshops at schools, community, senior and youth centers, churches and art and theater programs upon request.
“I love the arts so much and this piece comes straight from my heart and allows me to share that love and connect with communities and reach all ages,” she says. “Theaters are a hub for humanity.”
“Wake Up Your Weird” shows at the Lesher Center for a limited engagement.
To purchase tickets, call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org
