File puptcrit/puptcrit.0506, message 53


From: "Kathleen Jacobs" <kjpuppets-AT-erols.com>
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Crowd Control
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2005 02:58:46 -0400


Thank you, Robert for the compliment. You are toooo kind;0)
 Blush! Blush!

RE:"She takes the idea of having kids "help" with shows to its best
and ultimate conclusion: in her shows, the kids ARE  the show."

When creating a show my primary goal is to empower the audience. My 
performance style is an extension of experience as a teacher of art and 
creative drama.

I enlist children (and an occasional adult) to become actors and puppeteers 
onstage where they help act out comic tales. The impromptu volunteers are 
lead in such a way that they deliver the punch lines, get the laughs, 
outsmart the villains and receive the applause.  A high degree of group 
participation keeps the audience active with vocal responses and chants. 
Hands-on puppet building/movement demonstrations are also integrated into 
shows.

Crowd control bonus: When members of the audience are invested in the action 
they remain attentive. Group responses bring an audience into focus.

Audience participation produces an ever changing, lively program, however it 
also carries with it big responsibilities. It is important never to forget 
your obligation to trusting volunteers. Do not put them down or condescend 
to them. Their honest reactions should become a part of the story.   It is 
possible to empower a child, but it also possible to crush his /her spirit.

Kathleen
www.KathleenJacobsPuppets.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Smythe" <robertsmythe-AT-mumpuppet.org>
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2005 1:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Crowd Control


Having watched Kathleen many times, I know that she is too modest to
say that her best method of crowd control is her show: I have never
seen anyone have kids eating out of her hand better than Kathleen
Jacobs. She takes the idea of having kids "help" with shows to its best
and ultimate conclusion: in her shows, the kids ARE  the show.

I know that her approach stems from her desire to recognize those kids
who do not get that much attention normally but can shine when the
spotlight reveals them. Her stuff is funny, so those unruly kids pay
attention. Perhaps she could elaborate more on this, because I think
one of the best things Kathleen's shows do is recognize that they are
for and about kids, not just getting a show done with as little
disruption as possible. It takes a lot more work (and a performer is
also a quick thinker) to do it this way, but does it pay huge
dividends.

Robert



On Jun 4, 2005, at 12:09 AM, Kathleen Jacobs wrote:

> Crowd Control.

> It is often advised: When playing on the same level as the audience, place 
> a line of tape on the floor to indicate your playing space.   I feel 
> obliged to point out that there are certain pitfalls to this method… all 
> of which I learned the hard way.
>
> 1. Once when taking up the tape line, I pulled up a carpet square. I 
> carefully detached the square from the tacky tape and patted it down. No 
> harm done
>
> 2. On another occasion, I removed the tape and a layer of wax at the same 
> time,  leaving a semi permanent line on the floor for the next performer. 
> I hope it was in the desired place. That mark disappeared only when the 
> school stripped and waxed the tiles.
>
> 3. The  worst scenario was when I decided to not only  mark off play 
> space, but also use the sticky stuff  to designate aisles for the 
> audience. I used a lot of tape.  Unfortunately, when I removed the border 
> I also stripped the finish off the wood floors of the basketball court. 
> It was especially noticeable where I pulled up sections of the colored 
> lines  for center court, foul and out of bounds. Anyone have a magic 
> marker? I was not invited back to that school until a change of 
> administration and my legacy was forgotten.

> The best marker is a strip or runner of rug. It stays put and does no 
> harm. It does require carrying more equipment but the improved PR is worth 
> it. I have also used gym cones, blocks and ropes to establish boundaries 
> but these may become playthings in little hands and create distraction.
>
>
>
> Kathleen

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