Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2002 17:26:24 -0400
From: mark segal <segalpuppets-AT-comcast.net>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Puppetry Critiscm


Re: Puppetry and Theatre: Children / Adult
Some thoughts that came to mind reading about the "qualifiers".
I think.....

1) Theatre can be defined as any relationship that is taking place, person
(or thing) to person (or thing), person (or thing) to group, person (or
thing) to situation, person (or thing) to object, person (or thing) to a
divinity. Etc. (if there is an etc.) (just doesn't mean that  because it is
theatre it is good theatre).

2) The purpose of art is to communicate.....some thing. Actually I had a
comparative arts teacher who used to say, "the purpose of all things is for
the greater glorification and fun of G-d." (I guess whether or not one
accepts a divinity). It took me 20 plus years to finally understand what he
was saying and actually agree. (Has nothing to do with religion in any way
whatsoever!)

3) For "children's theatre" to be successful it has to play well for adults.
First thing I ever learned re puppetry was know your audience.....that was
very confusing for the longest time.

4) "Adult puppetry" that is so artsy it fails to communicate some thing but
is merely artistic in nature still fails as an experience.

5) Being perceived as being for kids we have an opportunity to teach an
audience (how to behave?) (how to listen?) how to be an audience. I think
some of us actually provide for a person's first contact with "live
performance".

I know what you mean though about the differences and the amazing thing is,
is that there is an audience for it, the adult puppetry theatre. I am a
member of that audience.

The perception problem will only be changed on a show to show basis, with
public disclaimers. Cause no matter how we talk about it, Puppet and child
seem stuck in the public's mind. Of course seeing puppets used in different
venues helps. For a long time did trade shows (for adults) . It took a
creative corporate mind to see the possibilities for sales and marketing -
not art but boy it certainly was a job!


I take having fun, creating fun for an audience, moving them etc. the whole
process as serious and  know you do too.......
Don't think we have to worry about it...some people get it
and
the last thought
6) You can't please everyone so stop trying!

>>  I actually went to the library and looked up some of the plays
>> by these leaders of Modernists puppetry and there's some really good
>> work out there.  And it's not children's puppetry.
>
Who are they???? I'd really like to know....Do they write mime pieces as
well????

Mark




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