File puptcrit/puptcrit.0809, message 87


From: "Bruce K. Chesse" <brucec-AT-chesseartsltd.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 23:47:37 -0700
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppets for Sex Ed?


Hi,
Over the years I have done many projects on sex education two for  
Planned Parenthood. One was about a farmer who has a dialogue with a  
rabbit who doesn't want to keep having children (veery funny premise)  
and one about two society ladies who meet in the street and one is  
wearing dalcon shield earrings, a diaphragm  hat,  showing off her  
new balloon condom and smoking with her new foam applicator. Every  
time she shows each new item t her friend the friend whispers to her  
shockingly the reality of each item. The scripts were sent to me in  
the 60's and I found them so hysterical I made the puppets and did  
them out in the  open in a large shopping mall in Pleasanton , CA in  
Contra Costa County. I had them rolling with laughter down the mall.  
Later on in the 70's I got a grant from them to do one on a girl who  
wants to get contraception information illustrating that process. It  
t included a pelvic exam where the doctor has to warm the speculum.  
All you saw were the girls legs extended up in the air and had to  
imagine what was happening through the dialogue. While at the same  
time she has her boy friend, who persuades her to go, show up at the  
waiting room with a paper bag over his head only to be rebuffed by  
her and have the bag taken off his head. I did it for a large  
covention of nurse practioners. It was a huge success.

Susan Barthel and I also did a project for the San Diego School  
district with Don Ave in the 70's where the subject was sex abuse  
concerning the father figure. We did a show built around  
"Goldilocks"  who was the daughter from Mama Bear's first marrage to  
a woodcutter. She appears on her doorstep after her dad is killed in  
a logging accident. She is befriended by the family and Papa bear  
takes her under his wing and gives her super big bear hugs  while  
watching TV and then invites her upstairs to show her how much he  
loves  her. Everything was left to the imagination of the audience.  
When she comes down she is crying and her Fairy God mother appears  
and asks  what's the matter. During this conversation she empowers  
her to do something about it and tells her mother who doesn't believe  
her but is backed up by baby bear who tells mom he saw papa giving  
her bear hugs. Mama confronts Papa Bear who is in denial and has to  
leave the family. When the children are upset Mama Bears tells them  
what's important is that we are still a family. We did it live and  
eventually made it into show in a VHS format. I think it t is still  
being used. The live show produced 9 to ten disclosures each  
performance which was handled by trained case workers. Every abused  
child new exactly what the meaning of the piece was whereas the other  
kids just saw a very entertaining show. We previewed it to all kinds  
of groups including very conservative ones and the only objection was  
from a lady who thought we had ruined a classic story.

What I have learned is that you can approach any subject matter with  
imagination and humor and not offend people and teach by  
illustration. It always worked for us. As I am now in Europe I can't  
provide you information individually but When I come home in Oct 1st  
e-mail me  brucec-AT-chesseartsltd.com   provide more .

Bruce

One I never got to produce was a story about teenagers who meet   
Gonachocus and his sister Syph who talk abut venereal disease. It was  
to over the top for the school who wanted it. I have never been one  
to limit my imagiation.






On Sep 9, 2008, at 10:30 PM, The Independent Eye wrote:

> Friends-
>
> I have a friend who teaches sex education and women's health (I'm not
> sure at what age level), and she asked me about the possibility of
> using puppets in this context.  I'm wondering if any of you have
> experience with this or reference to any sources that might be
> relevant?  I've asked her for more particulars, but wanted to get
> this out there right away, as I'm off on a trip Sept. 16-30 and hope
> to be able to give her some response before that.  Any experiences or
> thoughts?
>
> Peace & joy-
> Conrad B.
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org

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