Work samples
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Mother Goose, from The Mother LoadMother Goose, host of the Mother Load, introducing the theme of the episode and rambling about anxieties. -
BlightTryfuss Puppet Collective (Sam Grossman, Devin Martin, Jessie Delaplaine) collaborated with, Baltimore band, Snakefeast to create the music video for Blight. -
The Balled of Sadie and EllenPuppets from Tryfuss Puppet Collective's The Balled of Said and Ellen -
A Sappy Story About TreesA Sappy Story About Trees, performed by Sam Grossman and Jessica Keys, is a shadow show about realizing you've grown into something you never expected to me. It's ok. Take a breathe. You're still growing.
About Sam
Baltimore City
I am a teaching artist, using puppetry to explore emotions and bolster storytelling skills. When working with students, I model productive ways to process feelings. When working with adults, I want to validate feelings they might suppress. In my performances, I explore depression and anxiety through humor. I don’t know if I can make you feel better about your anxieties, but I hope you will not feel alone. I strive to make my work and craft accessible. When someone views my art, I… more
The Mother Load: puppet sketch show
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Yoga EdSketch from The Mother Load episode 4: Death and Christmas. Ed, The Mother Load's most anxious character, contemplates his mortality while struggling through a free yoga class at his local rec-center.
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Breeding Ball - from Episode 5Sketch from The Mother Load episode 5: performance anxiety After taking a few months off to find herself, Mother Goose was a little nervous about getting on stage again. That's ok! We all experience performance anxiety! In this sketch, Snakob and his friend are nervous about attending their first Breeding Ball.
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Mother Load ep1 posterThe Mother Load episode 1 was about Mothers Day, and was only intended to be a one time event. Many story arcs, recurring gags, and beloved characters started as offhanded jokes in ep1. -
The Mother Load ep7 The End of the World!Teaser poster from The Mother Load episode 7: the end of the world! Episode 7 was performed days before the 2018 midterm elections. This episode was about global, political anxieties at the time. Episode 7 is important to the shows lore. Sketches in previous episodes were not connected. However, the end of the wold event was experienced by all characters at the same time. Episodes after this point, maintain a shared continuity (or try to). -
Flappy Hour ep1 posterThe Mother Load Presents: Flappy Hour! Mother Goose needed to take some time to figure herself out. During these months, instead of performing, Mother Goose interviewed Baltimore puppeteers. These conversations were smaller in scale and allowed audiences an opportunity to share insightful conversations with local performers.
A Sappy Story About Trees
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A Sappy title card -
A Sappy drawing of the Mercer Oak -
A Sappy table and chairs -
A Sappy leaf
Kids Table
The Allyson Gonzalez Residency for Art, Science & Cultural Exchange 2018
The Tryfuss Puppet Collective
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The Ballad of Sadie and EllenThe Ballad of Sadie and Ellen, written by Jessie Delaplaine, tells the story of two lovers who must hide their relationship. The two make plans to meet by the river, when they encounter a selkie river spirit. “Attend close to your dear friends, hold tight your dear lover. Lest you end up like Ellen and pretty Saide”
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Snakefeast - BlightTryfuss collaborated with, Baltimore band, Snakefeast to create a music video for Blight. During a dark ritual, our protagonist summons the demon prince Stolas to “ seek power, and an end to this war.” All power comes with it’s cost.
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Halloween Lantern ParadeTryfuss built a 12ft long axolotl for the 2015 Halloween Lantern Parade. This float also matched in Light City 2015. We named the axolotl, Grace Jones.
