From: "Mark S. Segal" <segalpuppets-AT-comcast.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:29:25 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppetry-a dying art?


Don't think puppetry is a "dying art". Think it is a constantly growing and 
evolving theatre form that has been with us since cavemen danced around in 
masks describing a hunt - trying their best to communicate some thing.
Am very curious for those that think there is something wrong with the 
"state of puppetry" those that bemoan the "get no respect"
what do you want to see? What do you want to have that is lacking? What do 
you do to get it?

We all have stories about the bad (or difficult or frustrating) behavior 
seen in an audience or client. But experience tells me that after doing 
thousands of performances for over a million people with the majority really 
liking what they see (what I do) - it is the ones that are difficult that 
stick out in my mind. The ones that were not pleased...etc. What , less then 
2% perhaps?????? The good ones fade quickly from the mind the bad ones stick 
out clearly and hurt.

Sincerely hope that the show(s) that I have the good fortune of doing - the 
main one (this go around) being about teeth are not considered to be 
detrimental to the field by my peers. Even though it is "educational", even 
though it is mainly for an audience of children 3-8, even though it is 
"free" to the schools that have that show.
Went into puppetry 32 years ago because believed it to be the epitome of 
Theatre. Still do.
Accessible, important, engaging, creative, instructive (to me as a 
performer), life enhancing.

At some time or another tell the people who work with me that the show is a 
metaphor for life. Whatever one encounters as a difficulty or stumbling 
block in the execution of what we are trying to accomplish - usually that is 
also present in some form or another in one's life.

Try to do quality puppetry (attention mainly to manipulation, (breath) - 
(clarity), focus, content and how to communicate better and better) within a 
specific context. What I do is not what I had envisioned doing when coming 
out of acting school, but don't regret it at all. It is a wonderful journey 
with heavy learning along the way (still going on - on a daily 
basis........s o m e t i m e s :) ).

Have seen what I consider to be bad shows (and was amazed at how an audience 
(okay children) would be transfixed). Have seen shows booked at a festival 
which I thought were really horrible - but somebody apparently liked them.
But have also seen the opposite. Really (what I consider to be) great 
pieces.
Since (my) beginning in this field have heard about the problem of bad 
puppetry and wondered who was doing it??????

Think that....
Puppetry is Theatre.
Theatre is a relationship between performer(s) and audience. Can even be one 
on one.
"Art" is about communication -
Theatre can be found everywhere - interesting that Andrew used a wrestler as 
an example of a (good) performer - my acting teacher also used the example 
of a wrestling match as good theatre.

M 

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