We had the good fortune of connecting with Caden Healander and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Caden, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I can’t do anything else.
I think that’s when I know that taking the risk at being an artist was the right move for me.
I lasted as a veterinarian for about 2 days, just thinking about doing it. That’s normally how long my “normal job” fantasies last.
I think art is the skill I have to offer in organizing movements as well. It is the place I feel I can do the most activism in the most effective way. It allows me have a platform to create space for people’s individual stories, build community and move myself and the humanitarian movements I care about forward.
I am constantly learning how to balance my work and the hindrances of being an adult person but each year I feel I have crept closer to as balance.
Lastly I think of the quote a very clever puppeteer told another clever puppeteer which is “if everyone was a puppeteer, there would be no war.” Puppetry inspires empathy, teaches you to be empathic with an object and to be kind toward others.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a self proclaimed whimsy maker.
Which is just a short way to say I have too many hobbies that I have compiled together to try to make a career.
I like to make things that are out of cheap materials and build stories from a place of ‘you can do this anywhere!’ Most of my work is puppet centric and or surrounding queer history and identity inspired by the silent movie era and experimental film. I am deeply inspired music, movement and often get my favorite ideas waiting in long lines. Boredom is a great key to creation!
I serve as a board member for the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry where we currently host Puppets, Donuts and Coffee monthly- a lovely event where we drink coffee, eat donuts and talk puppets. We are currently working on many exciting things, keep up to date at @lapuppetry. They are a wonderful org where you can see me be a…
Puppet Maker!
I mostly do short form work geared toward adults (lots of classy butt related puppets…), but I am working on expanding to creating work for all ages. However, you can see me perform for all ages at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. I also am a…
Storyteller!
I write silly things on Substack mostly about creatures and transness. Where sometimes I will talk about…
Tap Dancing!
I love tap dancing and any communal dancing like swing or tango. Come and dance!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To start the day, I would make my guests tea and breakfast in the morning so we can drink it in the back garden of my apartment.
Then we would journey to Frogtown for a Bike Ride along the LA River.
We have to visit the Jurassic Museum of Technology and spend time in the terrace.
After that we perhaps, would catch a puppet show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater or a screening at the Philosophical Research Society.
Have dinner at Miceli’s.
Then to conclude! Watching the sunset at the beach.
These are some of my favorite places in the city!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There is a large quantity of creative guardian angels who have pushed me to become the artist I am
I blame my grandma for picking an artistic career. She would bring over costume jewelry, old curtains and beads and ask ‘What story can you make with this?’ There are a lot of places you can go with a coffee stained table cloth. She’s also where I hold my values of art being accessible to all. It doesn’t have to be this unattainable expensive thing.
Lou Sullivan is a trans activist who reminds me how I want to live my life.
There are many puppeteers/mimes/ dancers/filmmakers I admire. A few: Brian Selznick, Jiri Trnka, Ronnie Burkett, Buster Keaton, Richard Hunt, Joe Selph, Marcel Marceau, Barclay Shaw, Karel Zeman- the list is endless.
And some organizations (that you, yes you, can join!) called Puppeteers of America and UMINA
Instagram: @cadenhealander
Other: To contact: DM on Instagram for my email or phone number. I am an old man I am infrequent on the social media but will use it as a first connect. Or use a carrier pigeon. This is the quickest way to get a response from me, of course as quickly as the pigeon is able.
Image Credits
Saskia Bakker, Natalie Jean, Marie Bland, Puppets in Prague
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
