Date: Tue, 17 May 2005 22:48:33 -0700
From: Squid Netscape <timcalamari3-AT-netscape.net>
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Dealing with Directing Puppet Theater



> Ideally an actor needs to know how to use their entire instrument or 
> they are a handicapped actor. Ideally an actor and others in the 
> performing arts know how to work with others. 

You are sounding like a Dell'Arte grad. I too believe that the actor 
should know their instrument. Some, however use The Method and encase 
the entirety of their performance in their head. If you could peer into 
their brain, whoo what a show.

> I would rather work with an actor any day cause we can share the same 
> language. A dancer or a mime uses only parts of the instrument (very 
> well too).
> An actor should be able to access that stuff too (at least in some way).
> If anything a puppet sets up a new set of circumstances (challenges) 
> for communication 

If you're setting up an new communication, why not get a dancer, mime or 
mask performer? Better yet get a mime, dancer, actor and puppeteer in 
the same room.


One of my comment was poorly written (really, just one?):
Training. Actors have years of training. People working on puppets 
usually have a few hours. The skills of the actor are directly 
transferable to puppet theatre. It is better to get a dancer, mime or 
some one that has had a movement based theatre training as they can 
accept being a part of a chorus or subservient to the whole.

It should be:
Training. Actors have years of training.  The skills of the actor are 
directly transferable to puppet theatre but usually they have only a few 
hours to transfer their skills to this object that we call a puppet and 
there is difficulty in letting go of the self and placing it into the 
object. It is better to get a dancer, mime or some one that has had a 
movement based theatre training as they can accept being a part of a 
chorus or subservient to the whole.  They understand better how 
something moves and seem to have fewer problems letting go of the ego 
and submerging it into the puppet, with a lot less wiggle-giggle.

There should still be much to take appart, but I hope that you will be 
at the national. I'd rather discuss this than type and worry about the 
mood that I am in and if I am being understood.
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