Date: Mon, 12 Aug 1996 21:02:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: jdunfee-AT-shadow.net (Joe Dunfee)
Subject: Festivals this summer


   Ok, I will say a bit about the S.E. Regional Festival held in Mobil
Alabama. But I warn you that am really poor at writing stuff like this. When
you write about performances it usually helps to describe it with some
flowery speech, but I am more inclined to be a technical writer...

   The festival started with a bit of a problem, the University of Alabama
had double booked their facilities, and only realizing this at the very last
minute. They ended up putting most of us up at local hotels in Downtown
Mobile, and moving many of the workshops. So, all of the work that was done
preparing the rooming and the workshop schedule had to be re-done at the
very last moment. Yostie and Jody and the rest of the staff did an
incredible job working to get everyting re-organized.

   While this began before most people had arrived, there was a small puppet
parade held in a downtown park and we got some media coverage. There were 3
or 4 performances held for the public - with about 75 people attending.

   Performances included the following...

Hobey Ford, Golden Rod Puppets, "World Tales". This one man show involved 
  several puppetry styles including shadow, rod, and his famous "foamies".

Drew Allison, Grey Seal Puppets, "The Nightengale". A one man, bunraku 
  style show (When I say bunraku, I am using it to describe any visible 
  puppeteer doing hand-on manipulation) .

Karen Konnerth, Callope Puppet & Mask Theater, "The Snow Child".
  This one-woman show was about a Russian folk tale and involved both 
  mask theater and bunraku.

Terry Snyder and Christopher Hudert, Applause Unlimited, "Hans 
  Christian Anderson". Again the popular bunraku style with this 
  great team portraying two characters telling Mr Anderson's stories 
  with puppets.

Peter Effaldana and others of the Orlando Recreation Dept. "Dreams in
  the attic". Bunraku again (except for the "Man With the Bag") (do I 
  see a trend?) Several poems are  represented in this full stage 
  production.

Bobby Box, presenting "The Mighty Cattywhompus" & "Towing the Line" This
avan-guard (sp?) table top style puppetry, present these two poems 
  and other more political pieces.

Marry Ann Smith, Piccadilly Puppetr, "Wish Tales" Produced by Carol Daniel.
This production told three stores using Shadow Puppets, Rod Puppets,
Articulated flat puppets (like shadow puppets without the shadow screen)

  Of course there was the po-pouri performance time, which concluded with
several renditions of "I Come to Alabama with a Puppet on my Knee" written
by several attendees. I wish I could remember some of the verses - they were
great!

  One day we got a field trip to the Pixie Playhouse. This 150 seat theater
produces 4 live priductions annually with their Directors, Danny and Pam
(husband-wife team). They function as a conservatory training program for
young people. They also produce Marionette shows. It was great to see such a
successful program. Our local guild President, Judy Werman, is really
modivated now to start a permanent puppet theater here in Miami.

  I didn't get to attend any of the workshops since I lead one myself on the
Dinosaur Costume construction, but here is a list of workshops..

Easy Pop-up Puppets, by June Miller
Stop the Flap (manipulation) by Pegg Callahan
Storytelling with puppets, by Virginia Rivers
Shadow Puppets construction worshop with Hobey Ford
Glove Puppets construction worshop by Ronni Gerstel
Large foam costume construction worshop by Joe Dunfee
Birth Party Seminar, by Norma Bigler
Puppets on TV, by Drew Allison
Marionette Perf/Workshop by Columbia Marionette Workshop
Something from Nothing (Puppets from found objects" by Christopher Hudert
Lighting Demonstration, Joe Dunfee


  There was also a puppet store and a consignment area. After one of the
performances we gathered everyone out front (preferably with a puppet in
had) to take a large group shot. I am very poor about estimating number, but
I will give it a shot... Maybe 200 in attendance.


Joe Dunfee
Miami, Florida USA



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