Zen Shorts
Creative Director, Puppet Designer
Rogue Artists Ensemble • 2019 • Touring
An elegant and emotionally rich adaptation of Jon J. Muth’s beloved picture book, combining original music, movement, and striking puppetry. Premiered at the Pasadena Playhouse and later toured to Portland and the National Puppetry Festival.
REVIEWS
"Be warned, the organization is not responsible for any sudden outbursts of good will, drowsy or coma-like behavior, unplanned smiles and quiet laughter, or acts of blatant generosity after experiencing this presentation…And the performers are absolutely amazing! The puppets are wonderful, as are the calming music and songs and visual enhancements." - Dennis Sparks, All Things Performing Arts
"I really enjoyed how Stillwater inviting the crowd to give their own answers to the concept of zen. There were opportunities for the crowd at times to interact with the puppets during the production, which was great for keeping the kids interested and not afraid to speak out and express their joy…I also thought the use of humor in Zen Shorts was perfect; simple enough for our six-year-old, yet clever enough to keep the adults chuckling as well. Thanks to the wise teachings of Stillwater through his telling of stories, the idea of achieving peace and enlightenment can be understood by ages three to three hundred. Zen Shorts is an amazing show for kids of all ages." - PDX Kids Calendar
Zen Shorts is a visually poetic adaptation of Jon J. Muth’s beloved picture book, brought to life through puppetry, movement, and original music. As Creative Director and Puppet Designer, Sean Cawelti led the vision and visual language of the production, crafting gentle but striking puppets that embodied the story’s blend of Eastern philosophy and childlike wonder.
The production premiered at the historic Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California, and later toured to Portland, Oregon, and the National Puppetry Festival in Minneapolis. Blending handcrafted visuals with theatrical storytelling, Zen Shorts invited audiences of all ages into a world of calm, curiosity, and connection.