By: Margaret Butler
In the season of Pumpkin-themed everything, it’s only telling that “Spookley the Square
Pumpkin: The Musical” is headed to Greenville this fall. Produced by South Carolina Children’s
Theatre, this heartwarming tale of a square pumpkin finding his place in a round pumpkin world,
will delight audience members of all ages.
The production is led by an impressive team of artistic professionals and a talented cast of
young actors. But perhaps, most noteworthy is the addition of prestiged guest scenic and
puppet designer, Ryan Bradbrun. Matt Giles, Artistic Director at South Carolina Children’s
Theatre says he feels “very fortunate to have Bradburn as a part of the SCCT family. His
boundless creativity and work with puppets is unrivaled.”
A graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design and Atlanta-based artist, Ryan Bradburn
boasts an impressive work portfolio of props, sets, creative styling, and illustrations. For
Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical, Bradburn designed 8 unique, interactive puppets.
These puppets aren’t your traditional hand puppets though, they have the capability to move
and talk. Bradburn spent an average of 7 to 8 hours per puppet, most of which was spent on
their functionality and ease of use. He transforms craft foam, rubber, fleece, jewels, and other
materials to help the puppets come alive under the lights.
Bradburn is no stranger to unusual requests in the design industry. Once he was dealt with the
task of advertising a pharmaceutical drug for cows. Another time – designing safe dynamite.
Nothing is beyond Bradburn. His creativity, resourcefulness, and can-do attitude is reflected in
his extensive resume. When you look at Bradburn’s clients, ranging from CNN and Maker’s
Mark to McDonald’s and Boy Scouts of America, you’d wonder what keeps Bradburn coming
back to the upstate.
In fact, Bradburn got his start in theatre in the area. From performing in shows to painting
backdrops, Bradburn fostered his creativity right here in the Upstate. At South Carolina
Children’s Theatre, Bradburn’s credits include “BFG,” “Rapunzel,” “Pinkalicious,” and “How I
Became a Pirate”. His talent has also been seen at the Warehouse Theatre and Greenville
Theatre.
Bradburn’s scenic design and puppetry work on Spookley is truly spectacular but he humbly
claims that his work alone isn’t what delivers magic. “The magic is from all of the parts coming
together. Watching the actors and audience see the puppets for the first time – that’s the magic.”
South Carolina Children’s Theatre’s production of “Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical”,
runs October 22nd-October 31st at the Bell Mainstage at 153 Augusta Street, across the street
from Gather GVL.
To learn more about Ryan Bradburn, visit: http://www.ryanbradburn.com/home.html
Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical is based on the book “The Legend of Spookley the
Square Pumpkin” written by Joe Troiano, the film “Spookley the Spookley the Square Pumpkin”
written by Joe Troiano and Tom Hughes, and the stage production directed and conceived by
Jeff Frank and First Stage. Spookley the Square Pumpkin and all related elements © and TM/®
under license to Holiday Hill Enterprises, LLC. Spookley is the “Official Spokes-Pumpkin” for
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month in October. PACER.org/Bullying Spookley
