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 _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org Archives: http://www.driftline.org _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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