Fall is slowly insinuating itself into the Upper Midwest,
teasing with sunshine and threatening with cold rain and winds. A reminder
that the seasons can bring upheaval, but are also comforting in their
regularity.
The Puppeteers of America, as an organization, has had some upheaval
over the past few years. Some of those changes have been exciting (the
new website, online Playboard, to name just a few); some have produced
discomfort and confusion. For a variety of reasons, the membership office
has experienced disruptions that have caused a number of problems for
membership, old and new. At the last meeting of the Board of Directors,
by teleconference, action was taken that will help restore some order
and regularity to this “core” component of our organization.
Fred Thompson, whom many of you know as the editor of the “Playboard”,
was appointed as the “Membership Officer” to fill the vacancy
left by Jean Newkirk's departure. We thank Jean for her hard work in
pulling the various strands of membership data together, and wish her
well for the future.
Fred, as the new Membership Officer, already is experienced with the
membership database, handling the Playboard and Membership Directory,
and “catching up” on the membership renewals and applications
that were still in need of attention.
Working with Fred is Board of Trustee member Anna Vargas. Together they
will ensure that the office returns to smooth operation and accessibility
to member communication.
Membership is the heart of the Puppeteers of America. We all are the
force that gives energy to our mission of promoting the Art of the Puppet.
Not only on the continent of North America, which is our base, but around
the world through our network of communications and international membership.
And speaking of energy and promoting the Art, next summer's National
Festival-Puppet Rampage 2007-looks to be one of the most exciting and
energizing festivals of the Puppeteers of America has held. This will
be a festival you do not want to miss. Mark your calendar now.
Puppet Rampage 2007
July 17-22, 2007
St Paul, Minnesota
www.puppetrampage2007.org
Tell your friends, loved ones, fellow puppeteers, strangers on the street,
“Puppet Rampage Rocks!”
In the meantime, since you are a member of this community, please consider
volunteering some of your time to helping the Puppeteers of America
grow and advance our mission furthering this Art. Big jobs and little
jobs, you can commit as much as you feel able, but everyone's help is
needed. Don't know what you can do, or where to start? Contact one of
the Trustees, or drop me a line, with the subject line, “I Want to Help”.
Thanks. See you in a couple months.
Wayne Krefting, President.
As the guild newsletters arrive in the mail, they are
placed in a large manila envelope. The various guild emails, Yahoo group
email messages, and electronic newsletters are all printed off and added
to the envelope. That's my filing system. I like paper and I like having
everything together. Reading through the contents of the envelope in
my spare time is a great pleasure.
The contents of the envelope for this column, however, were unusually
thin. In search of additional news, I headed to the Internet.
Well, I've got to get busy now putting together the program for the Twin Cities Puppeteers' meeting. I'm supposed to be presenting the opposition response to the June program on Model Magic presented by Chris Fehring and Paul Eide. So far Magic Sculp, Paperclay, and Quik Wood are on the bill. Wish me luck. While we're wishing, I wish I'd hear from you before I have another column to write.
KURT HUNTER
5918 W. 39th Street
St. Lois Park, MN 55416
E-Mail Address
REUM...with a view - M'El Reum
I don't know why but my New Year has always started in September. I think
it is because I spent so much time in school and then I spent so much
time getting kids off to school. Anyway I'm ready to start fighting lions
and tigers and everything, once school starts.
Thanks for all your news. A special thanks to Jean Newkirk for sending
me bits and pieces. I look forward to any news you have for me. I read
snail mail, E-mail and fax with great joy. If you know something about
one of your local puppeteers just send it to me. I will be delighted.
It looks like the puppet year is off to a good start. Tears of Joy in
Oregon are opening a new “Aladdin”.
Norma Bigler is busy in Florida. starting up her production of ”Falling
in Love With Shakespeare".
I rejoice over new ideas. Tears of Joy in Oregon is having a contest for
their future production of “The Elves and the Shoemaker”. They
have invited twenty-five artists to come up with shoes, to either be in
the production or in an accompanying exhibit. What a great idea. The Phoenix
puppeteers are having a Pinocchio Open. Puppet golf:now there's an idea.
Last but not least the Boston Guild did a wonderful survey of their membership.
Drop them a line and ask for a copy. The answers were worth checking out.
Kate Katz at the University of Connecticut will be opening her new show
late October: “It Can't Happen Here”, based on a novel by Sinclair
Lewis.
Wayne Martin was busy at the Watertown Mall in Boston this fall with his
“Back To School Show.” Another new show coming to Los Angeles
that sounds like a “must see” is the “Victorian Hotel.”
Sean Cawelti tells me it is being done by the Rogue Artists Ensemble and
from the description it sounds like great adult fun. It features four
human actors playing opposite a hotel full of puppet ghosts.
A note from Elani Meyers tells me she is busy settling in, in New York,
and hoping to get more active in the puppet world there.
Allyn Gooen, another New Yorker writes that he and his wife Annie had
a busy summer and they looking forward to a little down time there.
It was fun to see my old buddy Barbara Faye Wiese with one of her giant
puppets. She is moving from Boston to Wisconsin. Wisconsin is lucky to
have her.
Gray Seals always has a cool brochure. It's their 30th Anniversary and
they are premiering “Salsa Cinderella”. Sounds like a fiesta
to me. Our own Nancy Sander has a new version of “The Pied Piper
of Hamlin”.
Amy Weinstein, former member of the Connecticut Guild, is in Germany working
with Sebastian Roser. They have produced three new shows and are now touring
Europe. One of the shows is “Babui” written by Wiltrud Roser
a well-known writer and illustrator. I received an interesting print out
on the Rousseau Family entertainment. They are in Florida and are celebrating
60 years of shows. They do magic and puppets.
Great news for the Ballard Museum of Puppetry in Storrs, Connecticut.
Marilyn Miller has donated a portion of her husband, John's shadow puppet
collection and a number of Rufus and Margo Rose marionettes. The museum
will also receive the entire collection of Dick Myers Puppets. Our thanks
to those people who help us keep these collections together for generations
to see and enjoy . The University of Maryland opened the new Henson video
collection and gallery, at the Clarice Smith Performing arts center honoring
the life work of alumnus Jim Henson.
The Sicilian Marionettes will be performing at the Stony Creek Puppet
House theatre in Connecticut.
Poobley Greegy Puppet Theatre won an award from the Northeast Region for
Service and Artistic Achievement. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island (I'm
not sure where that is) won a Child Magazine award for offering Puppet
Shows. Lets face it puppet shows are winners. We know that !
Congratulations to the Puppet Co. Playhouse on receiving a transition
grant from the Montgomery County Council. They certainly deserve it.
I love Bob Nathanson's articles about our infant audiences, and lo and
behold a flyer from THE PUPPET CO. , now featuring Tiny Tot Tuesdays.
A great idea. They list it as ages 0-4. I will be interested to see how
it goes. How many times have you heard a parent say “but my child
is so advanced.” Ya hoo !!!
The ever-busy Detroit puppeteers held their famous Potlatch as well as
making sure the annual Bixby Festival was a success. Baltimore, Maryland's
Black Cherry Puppet theatre is busy growing and offering lots of shows.
The Denver Puppet Theatre got a wonderful write up in our newspaper here.
It told the story of Annie and Dave Zook renovating their building and
turning it into a great theatre and a beautiful home to live in. Lots
of pictures and fun for the Denver bunch who meet at Annie's theatre.
That's about the news I have, please let me know what you are up to. E-Mail
makes it so easy. Also, if you have an idea or a question, I'll take that
to. Hope the new season is a great one for everyone. Write if you get
work.
M'EL REUM
827 Milwaukee Street
Denver, CO 80206
E-Mail Address
FAX (303) 393 - 1367
THE
MEMBERSHIP OFFICE
receives and processes almost 1800 membership forms
during renewal time each year.
More
than 100 forms are returned because of incorrect addresses. Many are returned
with no forwarding addresses. We have no way of knowing when or where
you have moved unless you tell us.
If you have not received a renewal form or are missing any of your PofA
publications, PLEASE CONTACT US.
Email:
E-Mail Address
Phone: 1-888-568-6235
Write: Membership Office
26 Howard Avenue
New Haven, CT 06519-2809
Eureka!!
will appear next issue. Send those hints to:
Nancy H. Sander
1250 Granger Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
E-Mail Address
In a few short months many of us will pack our bags and
head off to St. Paul for a full week of puppet bliss. As we begin to
make plans to attend the Puppeteers of America National Festival in
July, one might wonder where it all began.
It really started with Tony Sarg. Tony went to great lengths to discover
even the most basic “secrets” of puppetry. Take a few minutes
to read of his struggles and “antics” to gain knowledge about
this art form. (See Membership Directory: Page 3.)
When Sarg came to this country in 1915 and established what became one
of the most distinguished marionette companies ever, he made sure that
everything he knew about puppets would be available to any and all that
were interested. His performances and publications were a gift. And
so it continues...............
If only one word could be used to describe any PofA festival, regional
or national, that word would be “SHARING!” Sharing! What a
concept! Each and every festival is a CELEBRATION of sharing. There
are no barriers.
“Celebrity” is checked at the door.