File puptcrit/puptcrit.0606, message 144


Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2006 23:32:06 -0400
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
From: Susan Wall Kronenberg <susan-AT-carouselpuppets.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Call for Puppeteers for Young Ones


What I am trying to say is that I would not turn the job down just 
because the client, at this point, says the show is for newborns to 
5.   Why include the 0-2's?  Because the point of the puppet show, in 
this case, is to bring people into the store.  Part of our job is to 
educate the client.  We can tell them that the 0-2 crowd might not 
get much out of the show, but they may enjoy the music and 
movement.  I really don't think this person from Pottery Barn is 
saying she wants a show designed for the very young.  And our job is 
to convince the client that she wants a show for all ages.

I, too, have been puppeteering for a long time -- close to 30 
years.  I specialize in variety shows featuring marionettes and hand 
puppets (I also have a couple of story shows, but these don't get 
booked as much as the variety shows).  Variety shows play well for 
shopping malls and stores, as it doesn't require a long attention 
span -- there's a new puppet coming out every 3 or 4 minutes or 
so.  Kid shows are my bread and butter.  I do between 250-300 
performances a year.  This includes birthday shows.  I do not 
compromise in the quality of my puppeteering just because my target 
audience is young.  I know there'll be older eyes watching as 
well.  I just start to take offence when others in our profession 
think they can get away with a "paid rehearsal" when performing for 
young kids.  It's people like that who give puppeteers a bad 
name.  (We saw a puppet show at a party.  It was terrible.  We would 
never hire another puppeteer after that!)   Pre-school aged kids are 
the hardest audience for which anyone can perform (with the exception 
of Middle School kids, but let's not go there ;-) ).  But there are 
some of us who do it (she says modestly) rather well.

Susan

BTW, if anyone is going to the East Coast Festival in July, I will be 
performing my birthday show, along with giving a lecture on the 
business of birthday parties.



At 01:31 PM 6/11/2006, you wrote:
>Susan,
>I am sorry but I have to agree whole heartedly with Christopher.
>You make a very good point....but
>then why not ask for 3-5 year olds??? Why include the newborn un age??????
>Do you think any right thinking Mom or Dad would or should leave a 5 year
>old unattended??????
>It is never just the kids watching and if you aren't playing on two levels
>well then you are not playing to your WHOLE audience.
>But I am sorry really newborns to even 2 year olds should not really be
>there.....and if they are IN THE BACK! even 3 year olds should be IN THE
>BACK that is something that actually took me 20 years to learn....
>
>I think it is a question of what and how you are trying to do and
>doing......
>
>When I did Birthday Parties....which was a while ago and it was a big chunk
>then of my income....and if needed someday then would not be adverse to
>doing it again... But it is a skill that has to be re - learned and refined,
>so I wouldn't even attempt it right now. (Hope I actually don't have to do
>it again - although it is a great training ground). Even then would set an
>optimal age range.. Would not play for younger then 3 and even 3 was pushing
>it...5-6 was optimal....
>
>I think the minute a client says age range newborn - whatever as a performer
>going into it you will be in trouble for two reasons, one  your work will
>probably be perceived as inappropriate to someone. two - that opens the door
>wide to doing um "kiddie shtick" and not children's (puppet) theatre. Sure
>so what if you get tons of bookings because you amused someone and the best
>they can really say is oh we enjoyed watching the kids.....they were having
>a good time.
>If that is what you are trying to accomplish if that is what gives
>satisfaction then great absolutely GREAT for real.
>Have you ever watched kids (young ones) at a very bad show? They are
>mesmerized! Until they lose interest and that happens no matter what! Hey
>doing anything for 15 -20 minutes (no more then!!!) ...colorful - graphic
>aimed at your core group sitting right in front of you will be a success as
>long as you don't terrify someone. Someone who the Mom or Dad pushed up
>front and shouldn't have.
>
>Advertising newborns spells trouble, advertising family audiences is a
>better come-on.
>
>By the way I think that PB has their own line of puppets so you might want
>to put together a show using those.....
>
>Could be good marketing..
>
>Mark
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Susan Wall Kronenberg" <susan-AT-carouselpuppets.com>
>To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
>Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 11:35 AM
>Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Call for Puppeteers for Young Ones
>
>
> > Gee, Christopher, do you ever THINK before going on like
> > this?  Obviously Potter Barn for Kids caters to *families* with young
> > kids - newborns to 5 years old.  Do you think that mom and dad are
> > going to leave their kids to watch a show while they go
> > shopping?  No!  They're going to be right there with the kids!  And
> > afterwards, they're going to ask you if you do birthday parties.  And
> > YES, I also do birthday parties!  Yesterday I made close to $1000
> > doing birthday parties.  And afterwards I had the parents and
> > grandparents coming up to me, saying that they really liked the
> > performance.  You see, it's not just the kids watching.
> >
> > So, all in all, I think it would be a pretty good gig.  I have
> > emailed Christine and hope she gets back to me.
> >
> > Susan
> >
> >
> >
> > At 12:10 AM 6/11/2006, you wrote:
> >>    I'm saving this one for whenever I need a god laugh. Puppeteers for
> >>newborns?!? Sorry, I only do Shakespeare for prenatal and birthing
> >>babies. Bob Nathanson, are you available for this? Sounds like a tour.
> >>91 stores in three days.
> >>    Sheesh, I mean no offense to those who do shows for preschools and
> >>such, but NEWBORNS? On purpose? Yes they'll bring them to your show no
> >>matter what you say, but really. Newborns? I guess she got it right
> >>when she said "performing TO young children." There is no way you could
> >>do a show FOR newborns. You could do stuff for/ to them one on one,
> >>bright colors, movements, and so on but I just can't get over this.
> >>Personally I can't think of many a worse gig than this.
> >>    Then again if you just looked at it as paid rehearsals for a parade
> >>of puppets, it would pay the rent I suppose.
> >>
> >>   Does anyone want to perform for this age range? What would you do for
> >>the newborn to 2 year olds? Somebody give me a viable scenario that
> >>would convince me that I am wrong about this. I would entertain the
> >>idea of playing with puppets with this set and maybe even doing a very
> >>simple little something, but could anyone do a show? A newborn can't
> >>even focus that far away yet.
> >>
> >>   Arrrrrgh, must stop, this is crumbling my brain.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>On Jun 10, 2006, at 3:32 AM, Andrew Kim wrote:
> >>
> >> > Just forwarding this call I got to the list.  --Andrew Kim
> >> >
> >> > Begin forwarded message:
> >> >
> >> > Hello,
> >> >
> >> > My name is Christine Tjon and I am an associate in the Pottery Barn
> >> > Kids Brand Marketing team. Pottery Barn Kids is putting together the
> >> > first 91stores, nationwide in-store puppeteer event starting this
> >> > November  (11/7-9).
> >> >
> >> > Currently, I am looking for puppeteers that are interested in
> >> > performing to young children, ranging from ages newborn to 5 years
> >> > old.
> >> > If you have artists who are interested in contacting me for
> >> > information, please have them call me at 415-402-4828 or email me at
> >> > ctjon-AT-wsgc.com.
> >> >
> >> > Company website:  www.potterybarnkids.com
> >> >
> >> > Thank you.
> >> >
> >> > Christine Tjon
> >> >
> >> > Christine Tjon
> >> > Pottery Barn Kids / Brand Marketing
> >> > (415) 402-4828 - Office
> >> > (415) 439-1250 - Fax
> >> > _______________________________________________
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