Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 10:53:10 -0400
From: mum-AT-philadelphia.libertynet.org (Mum Puppettheatre)
Subject: Re: Festivals this summer


>>>   Ok, I will say a bit about the S.E. Regional Festival held in Mobil
>>>Alabama.
>>
>One thing I really enjoyed was
>that because I was a worshop leader people knew who I was. In the past I
>didn't talk with that many people compared to this festival ...I talked with
>people non-stop because people came up to me and introduced themselves.

I think you have hit upon something very important to puppetry and puppetry
festivals: getting to other people.

Many people have described exactly what you have, Joe, and it was problem I
tried to address at the 1990 NE Regional Festival at Bryn Mawr with our
Festival Fringe: an opportunity for anyone to perform a whole show under
their own steam (we did not provide anything in the way of technical
support, advertising, etc, just like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in
Scotland) People who perform at the open mike pot pourri find themselves
suddenly more popular. Fringe performers found common ground with audiences
and everyone was able to talk. Why?

My feeling is that people are afraid to become friendly with people they
have not seen perform, lest social feelings become conflicted by aesthetic
ones. What do you say to a new friend with deep, common interests when you
_hate_ their work? I think most people try to avoid the issue entirely by
remaining aloof.

When you meet other puppeteers, don't you really want to let them know, as
soon as possible, where you stand in the ranks of performers? Doesn't it
matter to you that people you meet understand your work? There are so many
approaches to the art that I think we are afraid to get labeled as
something we are not. Not until we get the chance to show what we do can we
feel that everyone else understands us and a social relationship can grow.


Robert Smythe, Artistic Director

Mum Puppettheatre
126 Leverington Ave.
Philadelphia, PA   19127-2022
(215) 482-6478  Fax (215) 482-9056
mum-AT-libertynet.org




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