Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:20:49 -0800 (PST)
From: Caro Stewart <papusi_marionete-AT-yahoo.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Physical pain = S&M


Dear Alan,
   
  No "Stockholm syndrome" here, but a great desire to become a good puppeteer. The teachers had to be harsh to make us understand what puppetry meant. I was a 23 y.o. and had a more matured brain that one of a child. It was my choice to be there... I never complained of anything, because there's no other way to learn puppetry, but going through all that pain. No mental pain involved... It was a very joyous time of my life.
  There were hand and body exercises included in this training and if I wanted to become a puppeteer I had to bend my wrist at the proper angle, at some point. Well, when I did not do it properly, my teacher helped me. It hurt, but hey, what's the name of that puppeteer that can rotate graciously or fiercely, for instance, any puppet head :O))) ? 
  ... Some people are born with great dexterity, others have to train hard to get it. We were told that "puppetry is 1% talent, 99% hard work".
   
  I do entirely agree with your comment: 
   
  "If a student is motivated by the love of learning and the liberation of ideas, the desire to become a better puppeteer,  athlete or dancer,
some physical discomfort may be endurable but is not the reason itself
for going in to any field unless you are a mental patient. If you re the
latter, I hope there is a cure available.
Plenty of puptcritters have worked puppets in cramped spaces, under low ceilings, and put up with hardships in order to produce an effective show, but we did not do so for the "joy of pain"."
   
  Indeed, a ballerina goes through "some" pain before she learns to use her dancing shoes. Not anyone is cut for wearing those torturing dancing shoes. I went through pain when I started using some long time resting muscles. The shows were physically demanding, as many times I would have to crawl on the floor or manipulate with one hand a prop, with the other a different one, for two different purposes. I needed a dissociative attention and also to be physically fit for performing correctly.
  For people who allow others to inflict pain, there are many kinds of physical exercises to "enjoy" and those have nothing to do with puppetry. Never heard anyone going into puppetry for the purpose of feeling bodily pain. 
  What you went through as a child is unfortunate, tough to endure and even tougher to forget, maybe... But definitely you were not hurt by your dad's rough education, since you ended up being a charming, good looking, educated and articulate individual that many of us admire.
   
  Regards,
   
  Caro
  

 

       
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