Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaston Morineau.
Hi Gaston, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In 2004, I started as a volunteer at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater in Balboa Park after taking my toddler nephew to a show. After three years of volunteering, I eventually auditioned with my first show, “Rabbit and Coyote.” Following that, I spent 12 years there, creating around 15 different shows during this time in both English and Spanish, also performing in libraries and private events. Besides children’s shows, I also frequently performed pieces with The Adult Puppet Cabaret, which showcased performances all over San Diego.
Following this, I started a YouTube channel in Spanish named “Cuentoaventuras,” focused on folktales for children performed with puppets. Occasionally, I performed with The Arts Engagement Program from the Old Globe Theater, where I participated in pieces for Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration and The Dias de Los Muertos Festival.
Currently, I teach in Chula Vista in a special education classroom for Kinder-2nd grade, where I also run a puppet club after school, teaching different styles of puppetry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part. Puppetry is very accessible, and the community is very generous helping each other. Being that puppeteers are very diverse there is very little competition. If anything we all encourage and help each other being if an audience enjoys a puppet show once there are most likely to hire or visit a performance from a different puppeteer.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a Latino raised mostly here in Chula Vista, I am proud that I can showcase puppetry to my community in English and Spanish. Being a role model to future artist that might be interested in puppets.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I would really enjoy watching live performances in general as a kid. I grew up in Mexicali, Baja, until I was 11 years old. There my father would take us to children’s theater, to the circus, and a lot of Lucha libre matches.
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Image Credits
Rich Soublet
