File puptcrit/puptcrit.0902, message 102


From: Nancy Smith <gazpuppets-AT-aol.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 14:36:16 -0700
Subject: [Puptcrit] Puppet Places, Narration, Script-writing, etc.


Congratulations, Liz!  Sounds like a great space for shows.

It has occurred to me that in this horrible no-good awful economy that  
there is an opportunity for enterprising puppeteers to present shows  
for the general public.  We have twice been theater-less in the last  
25 years and both times quickly found a temporary home in a vacant  
store at a shopping center.  The first time we paid $200/month to  
cover utilities.  The second time we paid nothing, but had to pay the  
electric bill ourselves.   The mall wanted us there to bring in  
traffic.  It was a win-win.  Always a good thing.  We were only open  
for shows so the gift shop part of our operation wouldn't compete with  
other retailers.  We did not sell food or snacks.  Blimpies and the  
coffee shop loved us because people went there after the show.  They  
knew they came from us because the kids were always carrying paper bag  
puppets they made at the theater.

Unfortunately, both times we had to vacate with little notice - that  
was the bad part - but were able to scramble and never had to cancel a  
show or a field trip.

Now to narration and script-writing.  I've written 70+ shows since we  
started puppeting and have only had to kill a few turkeys along the  
way.  I have a background in theater and have read more John  
Millington Synge, Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller  
than would seemingly be necessary to write a good version of THE THREE  
LITTLE PIGS.   But in a lot of ways writing for puppets is more  
complicated than writing for actors.  We have to deal with reality more.

And by reality, I mean things like how many people are available to do  
the show, what are their talents, how do the puppets work, how easily  
can they handle props, who is the audience, how old are they, how many  
of them are there, do I have to cart all this stuff around, fit it in  
my car/van/truck/semi, set it up and take it down, who will book this,  
how much will they pay etc etc etc.  Asking someone to write a script  
who has no experience in puppetry is not a good idea.

What I would suggest to Pixie is to start writing.   Write a scene  
breakdown of what happens while keeping a list of characters, props  
and sets needed.  If dialogue flows from your fingers, write then, or  
just write a brief description of what happens next and come back to  
it.  You might even plan to improvise some scenes in rehearsal.  Cut  
handling props as much as possible.  A one-set show is a good idea.   
Any scene changes better be quick or you'll find yourself dumping  
scenery by the side of the road as the run progresses.   Once you  
start rehearsing you'll probably discover that something you thought  
was genius is just too long but that's ok because now you've switched  
from playwright to director and will take your pencil and ruthlessly  
cut.   Plan some free shows in front of an appropriately aged test  
audience and make more changes as needed.   The show you write today  
won't be the only show you ever write and you will grow and develop  
your own style.  See as many puppet shows as you can and go with an  
open mind.  You will see what works and doesn't work for you and find  
inspiration.   The Puppeteers of America Festivals are a wonderful  
opportunity to see a lot of puppetry in a short amount of time and  
learn from others.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Nancy Smith, Director
Great Arizona Puppet Theater
www.azpuppets.org






On Feb 2, 2009, at 10:26 PM, Liz Evans wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> Well, things have been very quiet for a while, but Renaissance Artist
> Puppet Company is still hear and we have some big news this month for
> our Philadelphia, PA are folks.
>
> February is a big month in our 2008/2009 year.  In New Jersey, at the
> Hanover Street Theatre in Pemberton, "Ananse and the Sky God" will  
> play
> from 2/20/09 through 2/22/09, 4 shows.
>
> The big PA announcement is that we have found a new location to
> provide our family theatre performance.  Lansdale Center for the
> Performance Arts opened in November and we are the new resident
> Family Theatre company. We will offer performances, like "Ananse"
> 2/27/09 & 3/1/09 as well as workshops in Puppetry, Theatre and Dance
> all year round.  Our workshop programs will be kicked off on Saturday
> 2/28/09 with a public introduction to puppetry from 1 to 3 pm.
>
> This new center offers a wonderful theatre that seats 210, small
> sound proof rehearsal/lesson rooms to large dance workshop areas,
> parking right outside the door of the theatre for 5 and 10 cents, or
> take an R5
> train and walk 1 minute to get into your seat. This space is fully
> handicap access able.
>
> We hope all of you will help us kick off this new relationship, with
> a bang. Come and take  a new look at "Ananse and the Sky God".  We put
> Ananse back in the rehearsal box this year, and have new elements to  
> 1/2
> the scenes. New, more authentic Southwest African dance is only one
> new element we have added.
>
> Are you a teacher?  Well, we will be offering an Education series for
> schools and home schools on Monday, March 2nd at 10 am & Noon as well
> as
> Tuesday, March 3rd at 10 am & Noon.  Student, teacher, and chaperon
> tickets are 5.50 each with a minimum group of 20 or more.
>
> Please find attached a copy of our PA & NJ flyers. Share them with
> friends and get a group together.  Discounts for groups of 10 or more
> with a reservation.
>
> Looking forward to seeing you soon.
>
> With sincerest regards,
>
> K. Elizabeth Evans, President & Artistic Director
> Renaissance Artist Puppet Company
> http://www.RenArtPuppetCo.com
> 610-630-4259
>
> Renaissance Artist Puppet Company's
> mission is to promote excellence in puppetry as a
> Theatrical art form and as an Educational tool by incorporating
> historical and cultural diversity along with quality performance
> techniques to tell our stories.
>
> [ Attachment:
> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20090203/182ed3bb/attachment.pdf
> ]
> _______________________________________________
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