Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 12:24:38 -0400
From: "Steve Abrams" <sapuppets-AT-gmail.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] advice


There have been lots of interesting suggestions
Age 8-11 is a fantastic age group. They are not little kids.They can do lots
of stuff, but they are still somewhat innocent-the hormones have not kicked
in yet-
but they are still kids and easily overwhelmed  by adults throwing too much
at them at one time.

I would suggest that the simpler puppets of the Muppet show or even earlier
Muppet stuff would not overwhelm them. If you want to inspire them to do
puppetry, a short simple Muppet skit isnt nearly as intimidating as the
multi million dollar special effects of Labryinth (I agree it is a great
film) I bet they have not seen Fraggle Rock. (not simple puppetry but also
not totally overwhelming)

I am always quick to recommend the world of puppetry series- TO ADULTS. I
dont think kids 8-11 are ready for Bruce Schwartz or Henk Boerwinkel. Dont
rush them-they are not teenagers yet

The AV library has a few hand puppet shows by Paul Vincent-Davis.I have not
seen the DVD of Rumplestiltskin- but in person it is a great show
The humor and fast pace of Paul Mesner's shows would also be excellent
A found object show might be cool too

There are several fine DVDs and videotapes on relatively simple puppets for
that age- Larry Engler, Bruce Chesse (Oregon Puppet theatre) and I think
Grey Seal also have some fine intros to puppetry

Steve

On 6/2/07, Johanna Smith <johanner-AT-gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi pupcritters!  I've been a happy lurker for a while but now I have a
> real
> question- I'm going to be doing a 5-week summer puppetry program for kids
> aged 8-11 (I got a grant from the NEA), and as part of it I'll be showing
> lots of videos.  Does anyone have suggestions for clips that showcase a
> particular style or artist that kids "need" to see?  I have a few ideas
> but
> I thought it would be a fun brainstorm.
>
> Thanks
>
> Johanna Smith
> Associate Professor, Theatre Education
> California State University, San Bernardino
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