Hobey Ford's Golden Rod Puppets
Hobey Ford's, "Ichabod,"created for Heather Henson's Handmade Puppet Dreams, may now be seen on Amazon Prime.
Hobey offers a variety of workshops, residencies and performances online for teachers and youth. Please contact Susan for more details and to discuss your needs. For an example of some of the offerings that are available, please view this pdf and take a look at this short demo about Hobey's virtual programming.
Morgan Potts and UNCA TV win a Mid-South Regional Emmy Award for Best Entertainment for a profile of Master Puppeteer Hobey Ford.
Hobey Ford is internationally renowned in the puppetry field as an award-winning performer and a Kennedy Center Partner in Education teaching artist. Ford knew early on what he wanted for his life’s work after seeing a puppet show while still a youngster. While studying at an arts college, Hobey found "... one of the cornerstones to my work. I would approach puppetry as storytelling with puppets." Ford designs and constructs all of his Golden Rod Puppets as well as the beautiful sets that surround them. Ford has received the highest awards for his brilliant and priceless contributions to the world of puppetry: two-time winner of puppetry's highest honor, the UNIMA Citation of Excellence; recipient of three Jim Henson Foundation grants; and The Hermitage Fellowship. Hobey Ford is renowned for excellence in his craft. Chosen as a Kennedy Center Partner to teach teachers (and other artists) how to use the performing arts in the classroom curriculum, Hobey not only performs his original works all over the world but also offers workshops to teachers and students alike.
Hobey Ford and the Interplay Between Puppetry and Video - NEW! Lecture Demonstration and Workshop for Middle and High Students (see Resources on this artist page)
Ford first created the Golden Rod Puppets in 1980 and often adapts folk tales and global cultural traditions for his performances, always adding a special "Golden Rod" twist. Hobey is quick to credit his audiences for completing the creative spark that is ignited with every live performance. Hobey created both the "Foamies" and the clever hand puppet known as "Peepers," an imaginative, patented set of plastic eyes that turn the bare hand into an instant puppet! The "Foamies" are large animal puppets that Hobey designs, carves and paints from blocks of foam. The "Foamies" are presented using both stage and house performance spaces, often flying or "walking" right out over the audiences' heads!
The Avett Brothers have also released a shadow puppet music video by Hobey Ford of their song "Bring Your Love" from their album Another is Waiting. This is Hobey’s second project with the Avetts.
