From: HobgoblinH-AT-aol.com
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 09:43:14 EST
Subject: Re: PUPT: student inquiry


In a message dated 99-11-22 22:36:06 EST, you write:

<< I am currently a sophomore at Bryn Mawr College  looking to embark upon a 
future of puppetry.>>

Sometimes I have to wonder what gets into people. I'm just glad you didn't 
say "career" in puppetry. 

<<  I was wondering if anyone would like to respond with friendly advice 
about areas of study,>>

Well, speaking from personal experience (as one of the group that had NO 
training under professional puppeteers, internship, or experience of any 
kind): 
  (1) learn to draw; 
  (2) learn to sew; 
  (3) learn to design and construct costumes; 
  (4) perform in front of people a lot, and take part in theater events; 
  (5) learn carpentry; 
  (6) learn to change a tire (for road adventures);
  (7) work with kids (if you plan to perform for children) at every 
opportunity, and if no opportunity presents itself, make some;
  (8) learn contingency planning (for when wind destroys your theater forty 
minutes before the show or the building is locked or the electricity is down);
  (9) proficiency with some musical instrument comes in handy;
  (10) learn to mimic people with unusual accents or voices; 
  (11) work out in some lifelong course of physical training, because 
schlepping stuff hither and yon can get tiring unless you are in good shape; 
  (12) associate with clever and creative people; 
  (13) and read every book on puppetry in every library to be found in your 
driving area. 

Of course guys who trained under a professional will have a different take on 
things. 

<<or basically stories of encouragement  or warning of the numerous 
lifestyles that puppetry can lead to.  >>

  Interesting wording. Encouragement: You have to be obsessed to make it as 
an independent, and somebody else can tell you how to make it as anything 
else. Puppetry is the one adventure in my life that calls up every resource, 
talent, or skill I have. 
  Warning: Puppetry does not make you rich, popular, sexy or successful. 
Those are things your own gifts will give you, or not, as the case may be. It 
does give you opportunities for spectacular  embarrassments, humiliations and 
failures, but so does teaching in public schools

My two cents,
Alice


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