CRUSH OF THE MONTH
Curious, Happy, Snoring Puppeteer Kyle Loven
by Kayla E.
Photo by Tyler Korth
EDITOR'S NOTE: We really really wanted to interview Kyle Loven (whose work—in case you're thinking you outgrew puppets at the age of three—the Stranger describes as "a little bit Edward Gorey, a little bit Samuel Beckett, and a little bit Czech surrealism") and we tried and tried, and we kept lousing it up (always our fault, Kyle was endlessly gracious about it.) Finally FINALLY we made a plan to meet him that seemed like it was going to work out. And then it snowed. And we all know that when it snows in Seattle NOTHING ELSE CAN HAPPEN. So, we present to you now Kayla and Kyle's snow day email exchange. Get cozy and enjoy. - Holly
Kayla: How do you come up with ideas for your shows?
Kyle: My shows always begin with something that inspires images to form in my head. My last piece came out of a dream. Crandal's Bag began with a fake mustache. From that original inspiration, it's a long and twisting road to the story that ends up being told.
An image from Kyle's show B
Photo by Peter Thompson
An image from Kyle's upcoming show, Crandal's Bag
Photo by Tyler Korth
Kayla: Who are some of your favorite performers?
Kyle: I don't see enough theater. Improbable is an amazing London-based theatre group, Christopher Guest films have some great performances, and I love singers who really sing from the soul.
Kayla: What do you feel most proud of?
Kyle: I guess I'm most proud of the work I make. It's a great deal of time and energy and such a part of who I am. I'm thrilled that people are enjoying the work and grateful for the opportunities that keep coming my way. Also, seeing that my work crosses language barriers is very special to me. I performed in Taipei this past October, and the gallery in which I was performing had a giant sign with my name and the performance information translated in Chinese characters. That was a special moment.
An image from Kyle's upcoming show, Crandal's Bag
Photo by Tyler Korth
Kayla: Do you have any pets?
Kyle: No. I love dogs though.
Kayla: Describe yourself in three words.
Kyle: Curious. Happy. Snorer.
Kayla: Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
Kyle: I hope I'm making my living with my art and no longer needing a day job to survive.
Kayla: Did you enjoy high school?
Kyle: I did. I grew up in a small town in Minnesota. But life gets better after high school.
Kayla: What is your favorite tv show/movie?
Kyle: I don't own a tv and I watch the crappiest television when I get in front of one. Movies - Best in Show. Dial M for Murder and the original The Omen are close runners-up.
Kyle, performing his show my dear lewis
Photo by Lucas Saugen
Kayla: What is your favorite holiday?
Kyle: Christmas
Kayla: Are you left or right handed?
Kyle: Right handed
Kayla: What are three things your cannot live without?
Kyle: The big wooden table where I build all of my shows. My Brita water pitcher. My music collection.
Kayla: Are you more of an indoor or outdoor person?
Kyle: The nature of my work makes me an indoor person but I love the outdoors.
Kayla: What is your favorite place to go on vacation?
Kyle: Somewhere in the world I have not been.
Kayla: What famous person, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with and why?
Kyle: Jeff Buckley. But only if he sings all through dinner. If he doesn't, I'll switch him out for Harry Houdini.
Kayla: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Kyle: Somewhere in Europe with old architecture and a lot of crazy art being made.
Kayla: How does it feel to be Teen Tix crush of the month?
Kyle: I'm really excited about high school students hopefully coming to see my show. Theater is much more exciting for me when the audience varies in age, background, etc.
Poster by Cory Loven
by Kayla E.
Photo by Tyler KorthEDITOR'S NOTE: We really really wanted to interview Kyle Loven (whose work—in case you're thinking you outgrew puppets at the age of three—the Stranger describes as "a little bit Edward Gorey, a little bit Samuel Beckett, and a little bit Czech surrealism") and we tried and tried, and we kept lousing it up (always our fault, Kyle was endlessly gracious about it.) Finally FINALLY we made a plan to meet him that seemed like it was going to work out. And then it snowed. And we all know that when it snows in Seattle NOTHING ELSE CAN HAPPEN. So, we present to you now Kayla and Kyle's snow day email exchange. Get cozy and enjoy. - Holly
Kayla: How do you come up with ideas for your shows?
Kyle: My shows always begin with something that inspires images to form in my head. My last piece came out of a dream. Crandal's Bag began with a fake mustache. From that original inspiration, it's a long and twisting road to the story that ends up being told.
An image from Kyle's show BPhoto by Peter Thompson
Kayla: When did you start performing?
Kyle: If I can count playing the kid who makes the pasta pot overflow in Strega Nona, Mrs. Knutson's class in 3rd grade. If not, junior high.
Kayla: Do you have any secret talents?
Kyle: I wish.
Kayla: Who or what inspires you?
Kyle: I'm inspired by animated and stop-motion films, world history, mythology, music, rituals, and small things in daily life. I love Hitchcock films, Eastern European animators, and anything written by Haruki Murakami or Daniel Handler.
Kayla: Describe your work to someone who has never heard of you before.
Kyle: My work is image-driven theater that combines puppets, projections, objects and other art forms with live actors. It emphasizes visual storytelling and is generally geared to an adult audience.
An image from Kyle's upcoming show, Crandal's BagPhoto by Tyler Korth
Kayla: Who are some of your favorite performers?
Kyle: I don't see enough theater. Improbable is an amazing London-based theatre group, Christopher Guest films have some great performances, and I love singers who really sing from the soul.
Kayla: What do you feel most proud of?
Kyle: I guess I'm most proud of the work I make. It's a great deal of time and energy and such a part of who I am. I'm thrilled that people are enjoying the work and grateful for the opportunities that keep coming my way. Also, seeing that my work crosses language barriers is very special to me. I performed in Taipei this past October, and the gallery in which I was performing had a giant sign with my name and the performance information translated in Chinese characters. That was a special moment.
An image from Kyle's upcoming show, Crandal's BagPhoto by Tyler Korth
Kayla: Do you have any pets?
Kyle: No. I love dogs though.
Kayla: Describe yourself in three words.
Kyle: Curious. Happy. Snorer.
Kayla: Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
Kyle: I hope I'm making my living with my art and no longer needing a day job to survive.
Kayla: Did you enjoy high school?
Kyle: I did. I grew up in a small town in Minnesota. But life gets better after high school.
Kayla: What is your favorite tv show/movie?
Kyle: I don't own a tv and I watch the crappiest television when I get in front of one. Movies - Best in Show. Dial M for Murder and the original The Omen are close runners-up.
Kyle, performing his show my dear lewisPhoto by Lucas Saugen
Kayla: What is your favorite holiday?
Kyle: Christmas
Kayla: Are you left or right handed?
Kyle: Right handed
Kayla: What are three things your cannot live without?
Kyle: The big wooden table where I build all of my shows. My Brita water pitcher. My music collection.
Kayla: Are you more of an indoor or outdoor person?
Kyle: The nature of my work makes me an indoor person but I love the outdoors.
Kayla: What is your favorite place to go on vacation?
Kyle: Somewhere in the world I have not been.
Kayla: What famous person, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with and why?
Kyle: Jeff Buckley. But only if he sings all through dinner. If he doesn't, I'll switch him out for Harry Houdini.
Kayla: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Kyle: Somewhere in Europe with old architecture and a lot of crazy art being made.
Kayla: How does it feel to be Teen Tix crush of the month?
Kyle: I'm really excited about high school students hopefully coming to see my show. Theater is much more exciting for me when the audience varies in age, background, etc.
Poster by Cory Loven