Zombiteer Roll Call: Josh

Alright...So I promised you folks out there in Intertube-Land the scuttlebutt on the assorted wacky characters running around behind the scenes of this show. Let's start with the Auxiliary Poobah. Josh was one of the first Zombiteers to be called. Because he's such a talented nut. Local Actor, Director, and Bon Vivant; He's played multiple roles, put in countless hours building (and rebuilding) the show, and served as Co-Director for our first two seasons. This year he's stepping up to direct the whole mess.

I caught up with the wily and elusive Josh to ask him 3 questions. That's the thing, now. 3 questions.


1) What was your familiarity with Night of the Living Dead (or zombie movies in general), or for that matter, Puppetry, before you got involved with this production?

You know, I'm pretty sure I saw the re-make of NOTLD before the original. The one with whats-his-face from Candyman playing Ben.(That would be Tony Todd – G.P.) Good stuff.

To be honest, I've probably seen more comedic versions of zombie movies than the actual horror ones. But puppets, man, who WASN'T raised and taught to read by puppets? I've been playing with puppets and making silly voices ever since I can remember, but I'd never gotten to actually perform in front of an audience as a puppet in a show before NOTLD:TPS, and I'm lovin' every second of it!

2) The show's lucky enough to have a real Director this year. In what sort of directions do you want to take the show? Tell me about your process...

Directions I want to take the show? Well, I'm going to do my best to make the puppets suck less and act better. I mean, what other motivation do you need besides having someone else's hand up your rear? But, not all puppets are born performers so I'm here to drag every bit of life out of them (pun most definitely intended) that I can. As for the process well....it'll go something like this: Play Fun Play Play Blocking YELL Play SCREAM Fun Play Re-Do Blocking Play PULL HAIR OUT Play YELL MORE Play USE HARD DRUGS Play Collapse.

3) In previous seasons, you've played Tommy, the Cemetery Zombie, and Cletus the Trigger-Happy Hillbilly. Any observations on those roles?

Yeah, I wonder if Tommy will ever stop diddling himself, he was insatiable! It was all about Sex n S'mores with that kid. Freak.

Ah,Cemetery Zombie, I remember thee fondly. He was fresh enough to remember how much fun it is to be a bad guy, but dead enough to enjoy the talents of Jerry Garcia (...what, too soon?). There isn't enough good to be said about Cletus. He's just plain old happy during this whole Azombalypse. Now nobody cares how much he shoots off his gun, in fact, he's even encouraged to do so! It's like he died and went to Graceland with Dolly Parton and the Hee-Haw twins! (The Hager Brothers – I know far too much showbiz trivia – G.P. Again)


So there you go. Completely Mad.