Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 00:02:39 +0100
From: Stephen Kaplin <skactw-AT-tiac.net>
Subject: PUPT: Truth and consequences


Gee folks, this is getting exciting.
	I won't belabor any of the points made about the nature of our
artform vs. "meat" theater (I really hate that term, can't one of us come
up with something better?).  But if we are going to address the issue of
our cultural marginalization squarely, we need to think about what it is
that our culture most prizes and rewards. Is that a kind of theater worth
aspire to? If that's the case, than forget about Brecht and/or Artaud--
neither of whom even register as a blip on the cultural radar screen in
this country.
	That's not to say that as individuals and as companies we can not
be successful, or that we should dump theory out the window. But can we
ever be consequential to the mainstream? The truth is, probably not-- not
given the overall drift of culture in this country toward the mass-produced
Disneyfied spectacle (hey, nothing against Disneyfied spectacles, they've
paid a few bill around this household).
 But as proof of the above thesis (unscientific, I know) try asking your
friends and relatives if they can identify the name of the oldest
continuously active puppet theater in the US. Give Up?
	 So anyway,  I won't believe that puppet theater can truly bust
some mainstream cultural ass until I see Sandy Spieler elected governor of
Minnesotta.
	 Until then, let's play for gods!
				Stephen Kaplin






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