Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 14:05:16 -0400
Subject: PUPT: Eureka!


Okay, I'd like to vent a little.

I just got my latest copy of Playboard from PofA, and while reading 
Nancy Sander's column, I am struck again by her tone, which supposes 
that the only reason one works with puppets is to make money.

Now that may be the case, but here's what baked my beans this time:

In a piece about the story content of shows, and how parent 
complaints about violence, etc, have led her to change the content of 
her shows, Nancy writes:

"My rule is: three complaints and it's history. Do you object to 
this? Do you feel that it's an infringement on your artistic license? 
Then haul out your whiteface minstrel show and give it a go. Times 
change, and so must we."

What is this supposed to mean? What kind of editorial is this? I have 
always thought that it is the artists in a culture who provide the 
pressure that causes that culture to shift.

So, if three people don't like something (no matter how many do), 
something should be thrown away?

It seems to be that PofA often speaks out of both sides of its mouth. 
If the point of this column is to help people (and I presume its 
people who are fairly new to puppetry that would seek out this kind 
of advice) what is PofA saying about the artistic impact of puppetry?

while it may be true that there are segments of the puppet world that 
exist totally in a market-driven economy, it is not good for the PofA 
to let this stand as advice to everyone.

I have no problem with this as Nancy's personal opinion. When it is 
published as a "how to" for those with less experience, I think it is 
time for the organization to actually define its editorial stand. 
Even identifying this column as "tips for the puppet business person" 
would be helpful.
-- 
Robert Smythe
Artistic Director
Mum Puppettheatre
115 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2000

robertsmythe-AT-mumpuppet.org
http://www.mumpuppet.org


  --- Personal replies to: Robert Smythe <robertsmythe-AT-mumpuppet.org>
  --- 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