MOUNT VERNON – As The Hungry, Hungry Bookworm kept growing and growing, 620 excited, shrieking Knox County second-graders thought it might touch the ceiling of Knox Memorial Theater.
Thursday’s show, featuring puppeteer Dylan Shelton, was part of the fall Youth Enrichment Series for students from Centerburg, Danville, East Knox, Fredericktown, Mount Vernon and St. Vincent de Paul.
Shelton, the artistic director at River City Puppets in Cincinnati, has been part of the annual series for several years.
“My audiences are usually very young. I am keenly aware that for some this is their first live theater experience in such a large venue,” he said.
“I love being part of that, providing something completely unique that they can’t get on TV or on their phones.”
Shelton’s stories interact with students and have a central theme. The Hungry, Hungry Bookworm wasn’t eating stories out of library books because it was mean. It was lonely while the library was being renovated. It had no company.
As Shelton moved behind and in front of simulated book shelves, he used three different size puppets as the bookworm grew by feasting on stories from the library’s books.
Over the course of 45 minutes the story, utilizing music and a host of props, emphasized the importance of friendship and concern for others.
Now in his late 40s, Shelton grew up in Sardinia, a village located about 40 miles east of Cincinnati.
“I’ve always loved puppetry but growing up I never thought this would be my career path. As a kid I thought I would be a fireman or a policeman. It wasn’t until college that I realized that I loved theater,” he said.
After earning a bachelor of arts degree in communications and theater at Wilmington College, Shelton completed a master of fine arts degree at Ohio University.
“It takes about a year to write the script for a show, create the puppets and develop the props,” he said. “The first few performances give me an opportunity to tweak a new show. One time a particularly attentive young boy pointed out a hole in the story plot. I fixed it.”
Mount Vernon was Shelton’s only Sept. 24 show, the focus of his six-hour round trip from Cincinnati. Some days he books more than one location.
“I think the record is five shows in one day,” he said. “This summer I have done upwards of 50 shows. I will probably do 40 or 50 more during the school year.”
The Knox Educational Service Center (ESC) facilitates the Youth Enrichment Series with funding from the Knox Community Foundation and support from MTVarts and the Memorial Theater.
Taylor Gingery, the ESC’s gifted and talented consultant, books the performers and coordinates show schedules and logistics with the county schools.
“The Youth Enrichment Series is truly the product of a close partnership within the Knox County community,” said ESC Superintendent Dr. Timm Mackley. “We are proud to be part of this live theater experience for county students.”
The nine-show series opened on Sept. 11 and will culminate on Oct. 21.
Shelton will return to Mount Vernon on Oct. 20 to entertain third-graders with “Lou, the Baby Dinosaur,” described as “a wildly imaginative puppet show that celebrates courage, wonder and friendship.”
Shelton has high praise for Knox Memorial Theater.
“This is a wonderful, beautiful theater with its own sound system and technicians,” he said. “I usually perform in large open spaces like gymnasiums or libraries where I have to set up my own sound system.”
No matter his venue, Shelton has the same goal.
“I want my shows to spark imagination and creativity. Ultimately, I just want to bring joy.”