Doug Kincaid
Encyclopedia
Puppetry
Puppetry is a form of theatre or performance which involves the manipulation of puppets. It is very ancient, and is believed to have originated 30,000 years BC. Puppetry takes many forms but they all share the process of animating inanimate performing objects...
and promotional costuming (mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
costumes).
Early Influences, Education, and Career
From an early age, Kincaid was interested in the creation and depiction of imaginary characters and settings, especially in the fields of motion pictures, television, and theme parks. He lists as major artistic influences Walt DisneyWalt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
, animation legend Chuck Jones
Chuck Jones
Charles Martin "Chuck" Jones was an American animator, cartoon artist, screenwriter, producer, and director of animated films, most memorably of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts for the Warner Bros. Cartoons studio...
, acclaimed writer & "Twilight Zone" creator Rod Serling
Rod Serling
Rodman Edward "Rod" Serling was an American screenwriter, novelist, television producer, and narrator best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his science fiction anthology TV series, The Twilight Zone. Serling was active in politics, both on and off the screen and helped form...
, and veteran character actor Felix Silla
Felix Silla
Felix Anthony Silla is an Italian film and television actor and stuntman, best known for his role as "Cousin Itt" on television's The Addams Family, and many other classic character roles.- Biography and career overview :...
. In 1977, at the age of 15, he co-founded with brother Bill Kincaid
Bill Kincaid
William S. "Bill" Kincaid is an American computer engineer and entrepreneur notable for creating the MP3 player SoundJam MP with Jeff Robbin that was eventually bought by Apple and renamed iTunes....
The Kincaid Karacter Company, which would become one of the best known national producers of professional mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
costumes, helping to develop and manufacture such iconic American mascots as "BUDMAN" for Anheuser-Busch, "Fredbird
Fredbird
Fredbird is the official mascot for the St. Louis Cardinals major league baseball team. He is an anthropomorphic cardinal wearing the team's uniform. Fredbird can always be found entertaining young children during baseball games at Busch Stadium...
" for The St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Team, the "Billiken
Billiken
The Billiken was a charm doll created by an American art teacher and illustrator, Florence Pretz of St. Louis, Missouri, who is said to have seen the mysterious figure in a dream. In 1908, she patented the Billiken, who was elf-like with pointed ears, a mischievous smile and a tuft of hair on his...
" for Saint Louis University Basketball Team, "Elroy Elk", the national mascot of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
(Elks Lodges), and "Homer", the handyman mascot of home improvement giant Home Depot.
From 1978 to 1981, Kincaid worked with the Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
Theme Park in St. Louis, Missouri, creating and portraying costume characters, performing in the puppet theater, and designing characters and sets with brother Bill for the Six Flags haunted attractions. While attending Washington University in St. Louis in 1980, Kincaid began a 19 year relationship with CBS affiliate KMOX (later KMOV-TV), performing, writing, and creating sets, puppets, and characters (again with brother Bill) for two Emmy Award winning children's programs, "D. B.'s Delight" (1977-1988) and "Gator Tales
Gator Tales
Gator Tales was a local children's television show produced in St. Louis, Missouri by local CBS affiliate KMOV. The show aired on Saturdays and Sundays in key states throughout the Midwest from 1988 to 1999, including Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.The 30-minute show, which stressed the...
" (1988-1999).
For a brief period in 2001-2002 Doug was a member of St. Louis Improv Comedy Troupe CITYImprov at Union Station along with Comedian Tim Powers.
Recent projects
In addition to year-round touring and performing as a professional puppeteer, Kincaid continues to design and create mascot characters for an endless variety of organizations and applications. Recently, he co-founded, with two fellow artists, "Implemented Arts Group" (IAG), a St. Louis based creative services studio that specializes in sets, props, murals, special effects, and the creation of three-dimensional themed environments. He currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri.External links
- http://www.kincaidkaracters.com The Official Website of The Kincaid Karacter Company
- http://www.kincaidpuppets.com The Official Website of The Kincaid Karacter Puppets