From: mjm <mmoynihan-AT-wi.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] style
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 15:59:43 -0500
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org


During the last round of school residencies in an elementary school I 
would introduce the concept of puppetry initially by simply having a 
conversation with one of my hands, which was in the position to look 
like some sort of beaked creature. I made no attempt to hide "me" from 
the audience, and since it was a dialogue, the "me" character and the 
hand/arm "puppet" character we both visible and active during the 
entire scene. Had I been demonstrating a more usual "puppet" that was 
actually an object separate from "me", I would have focused more energy 
into the "puppet". I did use two distinct voices for the two "actors". 
Of course my audience suspended disbelief, and when I was done clamored 
for more. But then it was their turn, and being kids and born imitators 
and creators, they excelled. In working with actors or puppeteers I 
would never let a performer use a puppet without first showing me they 
could master a routine between them and one or two of their own hands.

Some actors cannot do mask or puppetry work. But that is because either 
they were not trained well, or they are simply bad actors. The first 
puppet you create is made from a part of your own body just as the 
first mask you create is made of your own facial muscles. Just as 
actors should master the craft of puppetry, puppeteers need to master 
the craft of acting. All actors are not puppeteers, but all puppeteers 
need to realize that they are actors.

m

On Oct 4, 2005, at 2:57 PM, Brett Roberts wrote:

> I should have been more careful about the way I worded my Avenue Q 
> comment. When I said that they worked in tandem, I was just quoting an 
> interview. I can't necessarily say that I agree or disagree with that 
> idea. I haven't actually seen Avenue Q, so I can't really comment on 
> it.
>
> I had never really thought about this before, but I think it's all 
> about energy. A ventriloquist seems to share the energy on stage while 
> a puppeteer gives it all to the puppet. I think this is why, when I 
> perform I never hear anyone say, "Your lips are moving!", because the 
> energy is on the puppet... Either that or I'm just not that 
> interesting to watch. This is a whole new idea I hadn't given any 
> thought to. I guess I've never seen bad puppeteers perform like this 
> before.
>
> Brett
>
>
> Brett Roberts Productions
> http://DFWentertainer.com
> For promotional pictures please go to
> http://brettrobertsproductions.itgo.com
>
>
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