From: Angusson-AT-aol.com
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2006 12:46:22 EDT
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Largest American puppet collection?


Hi Sean:

Margo Rose, who lent her collection to BIMP had high hopes that these 
marionettes and associated props, etc., would be used as a teaching tool for the 
students in the puppetry arts program and, one hopes, for those who might see the 
puppets on exhibit at the museum. I've seen and worked with these marionettes 
for years and still learn from them.
The students in the Puppetry Arts Program at UConn have used the Rose 
production of 'Snow White' 
as a training tool many times.

You idea is a sound one. 
With museum collections, however, the problem becomes rather complex. Much 
depends on the gifter's arrangements with the facility housing their collection. 
Another has to do with the lending policy of the museum and their attitude 
towards an item. While some would be happy to send objects from their 
collections to another museum or gallery for exhibit, some might balk at the idea of 
these same items being used in continuous live performance. It depends on how one 
views the item. Is it better used as a living item, continuing it's 'life' in 
performance? Or should it be regarded as an 'historical' document or 
artifact, and kept under rigid environmental controls for future spectators to examine 
and study?   
As you might expect, there is considerable 'wear and tear' on puppets and 
props 
used in performance.
I'm of the opinion that many if not most of the Rose marionettes could still 
be used in performance. 
I think that certain restrictions might apply if they were to be loaned out. 

This is only one example. The good news is that in previous discussion here 
and elsewhere, many folks who can no longer perform expressed the idea that 
they'd rather see their puppets used than hidden away in some dark corner of a 
museum. So this might give you some hope that your idea could take wing. 

I have some back drops here from 'Pinocchio.' They are meant for an 8' X 4' 
proscenium opening. They are acrylic on muslin and in good shape. They are 
rather 'specific' to our show, but might prove useful to someone. I'll have to dig 
them out. They are Gepetto's workshop; 'Field of Miracles'; underwater (with 
scrim); 'BoobyLand'; inside the dogfish; and, I think, home. 
I'll have to dig them out and check....

Hope this helps...
Fred Thompson




> The question about puppet collections and the answers, including references
> to props and set pieces, reminds me of the query about back drops from the
> other day.=A0=A0 I wonder if the person who was looking for someone to make a 
> backdrop
> would be interested in making use of one that already exists, and may have
> been used in a puppet production many years, and perhaps decades, ago. =A0=A0
> 
> And I wonder, too, if any collection or theatre that has such backdrops
> either on display or rolled up in storage would be interested in having the 
> piece
> (or other set pieces) used or rented out to a new show.
> 
> I ask this because I personally like the idea of keeping theatrical elements
> in show as long as possible... I have some puppets that are well over a
> century old which I hope to use in a show sometime this year or next, and 
> even my
> puppet booth is of a certain vintage, the wooden frame covered with still
> beautiful blue velvet roundings.=A0=A0 So I wonder if any of the collections 
> mentioned
> might have a program, or consider the possibility, of loaning or renting out
> backdrops, frames, set pieces, puppets, etc., to other groups for an agreed 
> upon
> term.
> 
> Just a thought... it would be interesting to hear what others think.
> 
> Sean K.
> 

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