The 2026 Dragon Con Report Episode 5: Some Strings Attached!

Behind the Curtain with the Dragon Con Puppetry Track What does it take to turn foam, felt, fabric and a little imagination into believable characters that can make an audience laugh, react and occasionally forget there’s a human underneath the table? This month, Jen, Mike & Channing head backstage with Beau from the Dragon Con Puppetry Track and special guests Bob & Carl, The Sci Fi Janitors, for a conversation all about the craft, performance and organized unpredictability of puppetry. From Materials to Performance Creating puppets is only the beginning. In this episode, the crew talks about the work that goes into building characters that feel alive, from design and fabrication to voice work, movement, timing and audience interaction. The discussion covers the practical side of puppetry as well, including stage setups, performance challenges, technical coordination and the balancing act of working live in front of convention crowds. The Magic Behind the Illusion Puppetry works because performers fully commit to the bit and audiences are willing to meet them halfway. Beau shares stories about what helps sell the illusion, what can unexpectedly derail it and why practical performance still resonates with fans in a world filled with digital effects. Along the way, the hosts also dive into the collaborative side of the Puppetry Track and the creativity that fuels performances throughout the weekend at Dragon Con. Comedy, Convention Crowds, and Controlled Chaos Of course, no Dragon Con discussion stays completely serious for long. The episode also includes stories from live performances, crowd reactions, unexpected moments on stage and the unique experience of performing for convention audiences who are always ready to play along. Whether you are interested in practical effects, live entertainment, performance art, comedy or just want to know what goes into making a puppet performance work, this episode offers a fun look behind the curtain. Listen Now Catch the latest episode of the Dragon Con Report wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the livestream replay and join us as we explore the world of puppetry at Dragon Con. The Dragon Con Report is a part of the ESO Podcast Network, Producer Jen “Lil’ Bit” Schleusner, Executive Producer Mike Faber.​We want to hear from you! Feedback is always welcome. Please write to us at [email protected] and subscribe and rate the show wherever fine podcasts are found, such as Apple Podcast, Google Play, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, and our new YouTube Channel.​Links:​Dragon Con Report Website​Dragon Con Report YouTube Channel​ESO Network​ESO Network Patreon​ESO Network TeePublic Store Dragon Con Parties, Meetups, and More​Black Geeks of Dragon Con​Dragon Con Watch the episode video on YouTube Dragon Con Puppetry Track on FB​National Puppet Slam​Bob and Carl​The Puckin’ Fuppet Show​Center For Puppetry Arts​DC Puppetry Tack Instagram Dragon Con Report Intro and Outro attributes: Stock Media provided by Blackmid / Pond5Adventure Of The Pirates – Fantasy, Epic Orchestral Music by Pond5 Stock Media provided by MellauSFX / Pond5Dragon Fire Roar Sound Effects by Pond5 #dragonconreport #dcr #podcast #dragoncon #dragonconpodcast #conventions #AtlantaGeekScene #dragonconAtlanta #ESONetwork #geekpodcast #Geektalk #ChanningSherman #JenLilBitSchleusner #MikeGordon #nerdpodcast #TheESONetwork #2026DragonConReport #DragonCon2026 #ESOPatreon #40yranniversary #puppetry #puppetrytrack #dragonconpuppetry #dragonconpuppets #puppets #bobandcarl #scifijanitors #BeauBrown #MattNitchie #NationalPuppetSlam #CenterforPuppetryArts #PuppetSlam The post The 2026 Dragon Con Report Episode 5: Some Strings Attached! appeared first on The ESO Network.