From: "Robert Rogers" <robertrogers-AT-robertrogerspuppets.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:45:02 -0400
Subject: [Puptcrit] Unusual place to perform


18 years ago, after an outdoor performance at a museum on Long Island, NY, a 
woman asked if I would perform at an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish girls' summer 
camp in the Catskill mountains, where she was a counselor.  I said, "sure," 
and for many years after, though she would call to ask if I was available, 
never got there.  Her director did not have the budget.

Last year, she called again and as she was now the director, had the money. 
I was flattered and excited.  Then, the morning of the performance I had a 
shivering realization - there would be a strict dress code, and some of my 
"fantasy" characters would be unacceptable.

I made sure to wear long pants (although it was unbearably hot) a hat (in 
Hebrew, a yarmulke), and substituted puppets like crazy to keep from cutting 
the length of the performance.  When I arrived, I did make the mistake of 
reaching out to shake the woman's hand (forbidden), but quickly apologized.

The young women in the audience couldn't have been more enthusiastic, and I 
have to say that although I am not an Orthodox Jew, there was a definite, 
palpable level of spirituality in that community.  Also, the camp director 
(who had phoned me all those years) proudly announced that not only was I 
one of her favorite performers, but that when I was a boy, I had also gone 
to Hebrew School!

Robert Rogers 

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