TDM Artist Spotlight: Tom Lee

Each semester, we have the honor of profiling some of the incredible professional artists involved in the TDM production. Our next artist spotlight this fall shines on Tom Lee! Tom is working as one of the three Puppet Designers on the fall TDM production, The Poacher. Check out more of Tom’s work at www.tomleeprojects.com.

What inspires you as an artist and creative?

I love working with my hands.  I'm constantly looking for time when I can sit down in my workshop to sculpt or build.  Being in the studio is satisfying and calming and I only wish I had more time to be there!

What excites you about this TDM production?

Ursula LeGuin is one of my favorite authors.  Her body of work in fantasy and science fiction has lived with me all my life and I find her writing deeply affecting.  It is a joy to be able to work on this adaptation.

What has it been like collaborating with the team on this project? What's been a memorable moment so far on this production?

The creative team on The Poacher is a group of unique, talented individuals who are great collaborators. Seeing them bring puppetry to such an exciting level with the students has been rewarding. 

Memorable moment:  Last night during a pause in technical rehearsals, I jumped up on stage to give a brief lesson on foot manipulation to the student performers.  They huddled around, watching me demonstrate and then Tatara, one of the students, tried it on her own.  When the movement finally clicked in, the little group of young puppeteers in a pool of light exploded into applause and laughter.  It was a special moment. 

What projects are you working on next?

I continue to work on design projects with the Chicago Puppet Studio, including the upcoming opera production of Monkey by Whitesnake Productions that will premiere in Fall 2023 in Boston.  I co-direct the Chicago Puppet Lab that is incubating new puppet artists who develop pieces that will be presented in the Spring. And in January 2023, I will premiere Akutagawa, a collaboration with Japanese Master Puppeteer Koryū Nishikawa V at the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival.

Photo Credits: Richard Termine