Behind the Scenes: Surprise Mandalorian

Remember how I said I don't have last-minute bookings so much these days? Well, that's not entirely accurate. I put my Greedo costume in storage at the beginning of the month since I'd heard nothing about a Star Wars show this year and didn't see a casting call. (It's still pandemic times with limited people backstage, and I wasn't mad about it at all.)

I got a call two weeks ago to fill in on the Star Wars show. I had to break out Greedo and create a new Mandalorian act, if at all possible. Knowing me, it's possible.

I had to kick it into high gear to assemble the most important components. I got a 3D-printed Mando helmet and Mr. Snapper started to build a Grogu marionette. That's what's been up every non-working moment since I got the call, and it's going to be the focus of our time (outside of a shoot this Thursday).

I made pauldrons (shoulder armor) out of foam. I made the clan emblem with hot glue. Everything was sprayed with plasti-dip. I also made matching gauntlets. If I have time, I'll make a "cod piece" to attach to existing panties. With the short runway to the act's debut, I bought off-the-rack pieces from Amazon to wear.

Meanwhile, Mr. Snapper has been sketching, modeling, and building a Grogu marionette. I'm luck to have someone who can help me problem solve this whole thing and be my puppeteer.

This morning I painted the helmet after plenty of primering and sanding. It has to be ready for rehearsals by Tuesday. SO MUCH EXCITEMENT!

Armor is painted as well. I've invested so much in this act so far that I'm probably going to buy 3D-printed armor and do it up right at a later date.

This has been a very exciting process, and it's happening at a breakneck speed. Two weeks after I was first asked to do the act, I'll have a custom marionette and a complete Mandalorian stripper outfit.

Oh yeah, and Greedo choreography will be mostly reworked.