Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 17:40:02 -0500
From: Steve Abrams <sapuppets-AT-bigfoot.com>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Puppetry Appreciation


Mary,
I've been doing guests spots in colleges speaking on "puppet appreciation"
and one on "dance appreciation" too (but not under those titles). I do about
5 a year and I wish I could do dozens. Art departments, and education
departments are usually the hosts. Theatre departments seem more resistant
(and there is another topic for discussion). I use slides. I sometimes use
video clips, but with slides you can cover more ground. I begin with
traditional puppets, especially Asian puppets.
Dropping big names or semi-big names in western culture seems to grab
attention from some of the powers that be, and confer on us some legitimacy
so I always include slides of puppet operas by Haydn, puppets by George Sand,
Picasso, Paul Klee, the Bauhaus, Alexandra Exter.

The film and tv connection helps give relevency. Most folks dont see the
connections between King Kong, Gumby, Wallace & Gromit, Tim Burton and the
world of puppets.

Then they are ready for slides of everything from Bread & Puppet to Bruce
Schwartz and Julie Taymor.
There is of course one other magical name, Jim Henson. The love and good will
that he created for puppetry can light up a college classroom. It is a rare
opportunity  for college students to hear about, and talk about their
childhood idol, as a serious respected artist.
Getting your foot in the door is the hard part. The students love it.
Let me know what happens.
Steve Abrams

Mary R Harrison wrote:

> Portland, OR has a strong puppetry scene, and it's one we are trying to
> build.  Now I know we've covered this subject before, but I'm about to
> try to put it into practise, so I'm hoping for some new insight.  I'm
> about to pitch the idea of teaching the equivalant of Music Appreciation
> about puppetry to Portland State University and the Portland Area Theater
> Alliance.  The idea is to create a more informed audience.  I have my own
> ideas, but I'm curious to know what subjects you think would be essential
> to cover.  And if someone can come up with a good title, that will get
> students in the seats, that would be swell too.
>
> Mary Robinette Harrison
> Other Hand Productions
> maryrh-AT-juno.com
> http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Balcony/9662
>
>   --- Personal replies to: Mary R Harrison <maryrh-AT-juno.com>
>   --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
>   --- Admin commands to:   majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
>   --- Archives at:         http://lists.village.virginia.edu/~spoons



  --- Personal replies to: Steve Abrams <sapuppets-AT-bigfoot.com>
  --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Admin commands to:   majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Archives at:         http://lists.village.virginia.edu/~spoons