From: godthane-AT-juno.com
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 23:27:26 -0800
Subject: Re: PUPT: Puppetry Appreciation


When I was at SUNY in Potsdam, NY, the theater arts department offered a
class in children's theater. Although I was not a theater major (though I
performed in several productions) I was interested in the subject,
especially as it had a puppetry element to it. It happened that the
puppetry came ealy in the semester, so that made it easier for me to "fit
in"--or so I thought.

The class was divided into several groups, each given a specific grade
level for which we had to create a 15-30 minute show. The trick was to
design it as if students on that grade level had been participants and
not just audience. I eagerly volunteered to write the script ("Beauty and
the Beast") and provide the materials. Unfortuantely the others in the
group were all theater majors, only interested in getting through this
class to get the credit. I dropped the class, though I did let them use
the script and puppets we had already made. Later, I was told that their
performance was so bad that even 6th graders (our assigned level) would
have done a better job.

Perhaps attitudes have changed since the 70's, but I doubt it.


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