Puppeteers Prepare For First Night
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Cheryl Capezzuti's towering puppets are a highlight of Highmark First Night, on New Year's Eve in Pittsburgh.
But when they're not parading through the Cultural District, they live a quiet existence in Cheryl's studio garage in Brighton Heights.
Studio assistant Sarah Laponte and project manager Ellie Voyvodich sort through the multi-colored menagerie.
"Suns and safari animals and birds and puppy dogs, they all belong in their own place in the parade," Ellie says.
More than 300 puppet people will march in the First Night Parade. And that's not counting the band.
"It's magical, you know," says Sarah LaPointe. "You don't get a chance every day to be a giant giraffe."
Ellie says the magic begins with a torn up cardboard box.
"Cut some pieces to staple together, and make a tube that will hold the pole that goes down into the backpack for you to wear. And this will rise high above your head and look more than life size."
So that's how they do it. We give it a shot.
"This is a backpack," Ellie points out. "You want to tighten it as much as you can. You'll see how you can see through the fabric."
The "arms" are controlled by holding onto sticks, inside the costume.
"You can dance down the street and become part of something really special, that you wouldn't think of dong beforehand," the project manager concludes.
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