Playboard - Spring 2011
PLAYBOARD is the Newsletter of the Puppeteers of America, Inc.
Editor: Fred Thompson * 26 Howard Avenue * New Haven, CT * 06519-2809
playboard[at]puppeteers.org
President’s Message
Membership Numbers
The Guild Connection
REUM…with a View..
Eureka!!
Address Change
Greetings All,
Big things are in the offing.
Please check out the National Festival web site at www.nationalpuppetryfestival.org. The performance lineup looks great as well as 3 days of fabulous workshops in addition to the all-day For the Teaching Artist.
This is our 75th anniversary and we have over 40 guilds. I hope to see representation from every guild as we are planning a “Calling of the Guilds”, a parade of guild banners. Let me know who will be representing your guild as soon as you know.
A redesign of the PofA web site was a big goal for our 75th Anniversary. Last fall I sat down with Z. Briggs, Steve Abrams and Bradley Kemp. From survey results and brainstorming one thing was clear: we wanted a web site that was easier to use and more focused on our members’ needs. We are excited that the new site designed by Bradley, will allow our members to post directly to the Bulletin Board in several different categories, post their biographies and contact other members through a new, searchable, online version of our directory. The new site will also feature a news feed on the front page announcing important events for PofA and other puppetry news. We want to continue responding to your ideas, so keep an eye out for a ‘suggestion box’ as we strive to make www.puppeteers.org an exciting place to check-in between festivals and guild meetings.
The Pacific South West Region is currently without a Regional Director. Please discuss the possibilities among your Guilds and come prepared to elect one in Atlanta. We need to hear from you guys.
It is with great sadness I inform the membership that Janet Bradley died on April 26, 2011 of a ruptured aorta. Janet, as well as being the founder of Tears of Joy Puppet Theater in Portland, Oregon, also served PofA as our Budget and Finance Committee Chair.
She will be greatly missed. Her positive attitude and patient but firm disposition was a great asset to the organization.
It is therefore my duty to post the following job description and associated duties. I look forward to welcoming applicants.
Chairperson of the Budget and Finance Committee duties:
Basic Requirements:
- Be familiar with accounting practices and preparing budgets.
- Be familiar with non-profit organizational practices.
- Have attended regional and/or national PofA puppetry festivals.
- Be familiar with the mission statement of the organization.
- Be able to work with others.
Budget and Finance Chair:
- Collect budget requests from the appointee who manage budgets, trustees, president and for committee expenses.
- Provide guidance for the board in requests or proposals from trustees or appointees that incur budget expenses.
- Work with the treasurer and the B&F committee to provide a balanced budget proposal for the annual board meeting.
- Conduct the budget and finance committee meeting before the annual board meeting and keep notes of rationale for budget recommendations to the board.
- Present the budget to the board for approval.
- Receive and archive copies of the approved budget and quarterly monitoring reports.
- Monitor the financial status of the organization throughout the year and communicate with the treasurer, the president, and the Board as needs arise.
- Help to focus the financial direction of the organization on accomplishing its mission statement to further the art of puppetry.
Regional and National festivals:
- Collect the budget proposals for regional and national festivals.
- Provide copies of the budget proposals to the budget committee members for their evaluation and recommendations.
- Collect recommendations from the budget committee and submit change requests to the festival directors as needed.
- Once the budget committee has approved a budget, forward it to the president and/or trustees for a vote.
- Receive and archive signed copies of approved budgets.
- Receive and archive quarterly/ final budget reports from festivals.
IRS reporting:
- Work closely with the treasurer to provide any reports or requests needed for financial reporting to the IRS.
- Collect the budget reports from all of the regions on a quarterly/yearly basis.
- Provide yearly copies of the budget reports from the regions to the accountant who prepares the 990 IRS forms.
Anyone interested in serving the organization in this capacity, please send me a résumé and a letter to anadpuppet@yahoo.com stating why you would be a good fit for this position.
That’s all for now. Hope to see you in Atlanta.
Anna Vargas
The Membership Office frequently receives requests from our members for their membership numbers. They are necessary when borrowing DVDs from The Puppetry Store, when registering for a festival or to verify if a membership is current when voting in the Trustee elections. The verification is done through the membership office database for all of these functions. The Board decided a few years back to discontinue issuing membership cards because the time and expense to prepare them each year could not be justified when weighed against the need.
For your convenience, Membership Numbers can be found on the mailing labels of any Puppetry Journal.
The GUILD CONNECTION
KURT HUNTER
5918 W. 39th Street
St. Lois Park, MN 55416
HunterMarionettes[at]earthlink.net
In Minneapolis spring is ushered in on the first Sunday of May with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre’s Annual May Day Parade and Festival. This was the 37th year for the parade. The event is led by HOBT, but shaped and created by the community. It is driven by sincere concern for our common good and built with raw grass roots creativity. It is about coming together to create something bigger than ourselves.
- Puppetry guilds are a bit like that too, I think. We’re rag tag collections of creative spirits coming together to create something, maybe a Day of Puppetry or maybe just a moment of community, and hopefully to refresh our spirits in the process. The Puppetry Guild of Greater New York used March and April to do both. Their March meeting was their annual Showpourri where people could offer some show and tell or perform a work in progress being prepared for their Day of Puppetry at a New York Public Library in April.
- The Williamette Valley Puppeteers took an interesting approach to their Day of Puppetry at the Corvalis Arts Center. They presented performances in two acts. Their first act was especially for young children and their second act was for older kids and adults. The free program featured ventriloquism, hand puppets, shadow puppets, spoken word, and marionettes presented by Charlotte Norlin, Cobie Delespinasse, Joyce Greiner, Doris Hicks, Louise Johnson, David Wagner, and Rozy Weatherby.
- The Phoenix Guild of Puppetry also brought together a variety of performers for their Day of Puppetry. Performances were presented by Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Dan Dan the Puppet Man (Dan Dold), Igor and Friends (Igor Glenn), and Glenda Bonin. The day also included puppet making activities, a puppet parade, and door prizes.
- In collaboration with Watts Village Theater Company and One Grain of Sand Puppet Theater and with assistance from the LA Mission College Drama Club, the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry presented a Saturday/Sunday 2011 Day of Puppetry. The event was called “When the Earth Was New: Stories of Creation and Creating Stories.”
- The Florida Suncoast Puppet Guild held their Day of Puppetry at the Jimmie B. Keel Library in Tampa. The day included a make and take Puppet workshop, “RazzMaTazz” Ventriloquism and a Little Magic and “Johnny Appleseed” by Katie Adams’ Make Believe Theatre.
- PuppetART was the site for the Day of Puppetry presented by the Detroit Puppeteers Guild. The Detroit Puppet Theatre presented their production of “The Crane Maiden” and workshops were led by Lois Sprengnether Keel, Igor Gozman, Linda Coffman and Mary Luevanos.
- My own Twin Cities Puppeteers hasn’t had a Day of Puppetry for a few years, but we managed to step out into the community with a heavily puppet-themed garage sale in May. Due mostly to the jolly company, both the preparation and the actual garage sale were great fun.
- Coming back to community the San Francisco Bay Area Puppeteers Guild is trying out a new meeting location: Zocalo Coffee House. It is described as one of the most amazing gathering places in the Bay Area. The name means “Town Square” or “Town Center.” Their June meeting as the coffee house was scheduled to include show and tell, guild elections, and free coffee.
- The West Michigan Puppetry Guild tried out a new meeting location in April, the Holland Arts Council, in downtown Holland, Michigan.
- The Puppeteers of Puget Sound had their first meeting of the year in March at the home of Jean Mattson for a spring party with gift exchange and pot luck.
- Artie Poore hosted the April meeting of the Puppet Guild of Long Island for a workshop on ventriloquism by Steve Petruzella.
- In January the members of the Puppetry Guild of Northeastern Ohio were treated to a performance of “Rumplestiltskin” by Nancy Sander.
- March saw the Savannah Coastal Puppet Guild meeting at the Puppet People Studio to see “Beyond the Moss Curtain.”
- The Orange County Puppetry Guild has had some great programs in recent months. In March, Barbara Smith gave a lecture on WPA puppets and in April, Lois Harmeyer led a hands-on scarecrow marionette workshop.
- In March the Connecticut Guild of Puppetry took a field trip to UConn to see Jonah Therrien’s M.F.A. project “A Dream Play” adapted from the play by August Strindberg. Following the performance they headed to the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry to see the new exhibits about the work of Frank Ballard.
- Comedy and Puppetry was the topic for the March meeting of the National Capital Puppetry Guild. Christopher Hudert presented a lecture/demo on the subject that received rave reviews.
- Another workshop I would have loved to have attended was the March meeting of the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry. Anne Continelli, who writes scripts for the Tanglewood Marionettes, spoke about “Playwriting for Puppetry.”
- On the electronic communication front, the Puppet Guild of South Florida has been using a Yahoo Group email list to communicate, but they are looking to make more use of Facebook.
Well, however you communicate with your guild community of puppeteers I hope you’ll keep that communication coming my way.
Kurt Hunter
REUM… with a view
M’El Reum
827 Milwaukee Street
Denver, CO 80206
puppetreum[at]estreet.com
FAX (303) 393 – 1367
It is Festival time again and there are lots of them to chose from. The 75th Anniversary of the Puppeteers of America will be celebrated this year. It is a credit to every puppeteer that ever joined PofA that the organization has managed to exist. I’m sure you have friends that belong to organizations that have gone defunct over the past few years. Apparently people have surrendered to the computer instead of being in contact directly with living breathing human beings interested in the same livelihoods, hobbies or past times. It is sad. The Festivals, however, are our way of sharing live puppet knowledge and sharing stories and ideas and dreams. Look for festivals and conferences like the O’Neill, Puppet Fest Mid-West and The PofA National in Atlanta. You won’t regret it.
In the mean time, summer shows to catch ….
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, in New York City is offering the “Secret History of the Swedish Cottage.”
The Puppetry Arts Institute of Independence, Missouri is having visitors for their summer shows. The Urban Prairie Puppet Company, Omaha, Nebraska is doing “Just So Stories/ Aesop’s Fables”, Piccadilly Productions, Louisburg, Kansas will be doing their “Farm Show” and StoneLion Puppet Theatre from Kansas City, Missouri will be performing,“Stella Luna.” The PAI will round out the summer with Eulenspiegel Puppets from Liberty, Missouri offering their delightful “Three Tales From Asia.” David Herzog’s, Chicago Illinois Summer show is “Dragon Days and Knight Time”; The Dragon is Snork a roller skating baby Dragon. Wonderment Puppet Theatre, Martinsburg West Virginia will be doing “Cinderella’s Sock Hop” this summer. Paul Mesner‘s Kansas City summer show is “The Dinosaur Show” It tells the story of the beasts with not just hand puppets but rods, shadows and the big body puppets. I understand there is even an appearance of Dr. Dino Sawyer. Sounds like fun. David Simpich, Colorado Springs, Colorado will be performing an all time favorite “ Hansel and Gretel.” Bob Brown, Oakton Virginia will be performing “Clowning Around”, “Dragon Feathers “ and The Reluctant Dragon.
We know how well puppets can teach and it is always wonderful to hear when others discover how well they do the job. I found an article concerning teaching clean water, hand washing, education, child protection and food preservation. The shows are being performed in Laos. The audience has 15 ethnic groups. 44 sub-groups and each group has its own language. It is all summed up in the sentence “The puppet shows are a great way of raising awareness because the people can understand the messages easily and remember them well.”
Gina Pavlova and Johanna Smith, of Los Angeles, California, recently performed their new show “Red, Blue and White”. It is “Minimalist Puppetry” described as simple form, simple stuff and lots of imagination.
Lynn Jeffries also of Los Angeles did puppets for a “creepy ghost story” titled “The Unrequited (Between Two Worlds). Even the title is spooky.
The Ashville Puppetry Alliance is sponsoring a new piece by Lisa Sturz with the Red Herring Puppets. The piece deals with the decline of the bee population and connects it with the rise of breast cancer usingimages created with shadows on overhead projectors.
I am always delighted when I read about puppeteers who receive recognition for their exceptional work. Puppetry International had a beautiful article on “Little Blue Moon Theatre” the genius of two old friends Michael &Valerie Nelson. Beg borrow or steal a copy. Kathy Foley, Santa Cruz California wrote the article. It offers insight into Toy Theatre and even mentions my favorite toy theatre production of the Nelsons “Natalie.”
Another super moment was seeing Annie Hickman, Wife of Allynn Gooen on You Tube. Type in: ‘At Trail Mix 2011.’ Annie’s bug costumes are fabulous. Watching kids getting into dance and movement is a wonderful experience. Check it out.
The “Monkey Mind Pirate’s” are back this summer in Minnesota doing puppet camps and shows
Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio, Indianapolis, Indiana is offering puppet camps all summer. Their summer show is “Summertime Cabaret.” Melchior Marionette Theatre in Nashville, Indiana is also doing a variety show with free popcorn.
Wood & Strings Theatre, Centerville, Tennessee is offering an intensive theatre training workshop this summer and Michael Earl will be teaching will be teaching puppetry at Simple Studios in New York. Von Orthal Puppets, Chicago Illinois is offering summer adult puppet class. The classes include Puppetry of the Spirit (essentials), marionettes, and Puppet animations.
Drama of Works , New York City is just having more fun with Punch. They recently had a night of Kamikaze Shakespeare. Performers were Molly Kohl, Markus Maurette, Howie Leifer, Lucinda Williams, Ora Fruchter, Kate Brehm & Talaura Harms.
Congratulations to the Chicagoland Puppet Guild’s 50th birthday this year. Fred Putz, Chicago Illinois has written a wonderful history of Paul McPharlin in the Chicago Guild’s Newsletter. If you PofA history buffs are interested in background information contact Fred. Houston is gearing up for its Puppetry Festival in September so check it out.
The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City is hosting Jim Henson’s Fantastic World. The exhibit will spend the next six months in New York. There will be films, special events and appearances of Henson collaborators and members of the family.
It is always fun when people discover how effective puppets are. I read a wonderful review of the new Mel Gibson film “The Beaver.” The review spoke highly of puppets and proclaimed the puppet nearly hi-jacks the movie. When will they learn how great puppets are?
That’s it for now. Have a Puppet-filled summer.
- M’El
EUREKA!!
NANCY H. SANDER
1250 Granger Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
puppetmaster[at]puppetswithpizazz.com
Greetings, all you who have survived all the rain, rain, rain! As I write I wonder how our flood area puppeteers are faring. This spring adds a whole new meaning to schlogging a show! I don’t have a pair of dry black shoes left…
Too Young: Three times this week I have had an inquiry for a birthday party for a child turning two. Does anyone do these? I fully understand that their child is very precocious (Would he like “Macbeth” or “War and Peace?”) but it is not in your best interest to book a show that is so totally inappropriate for the child.
I explain this to the parent and suggest I call them next year, a month before little Junior’s birthday. I enter the name and the phone number onto my next year’s calendar, a month before the birth date. The parents are most grateful that I remembered them and made it so simple to book entertainment for Junior’s upcoming party.
Don’t Cheat Yourself: When a potential client calls, the first question often is, “How much do you charge for a puppet show?” Don’t answer immediately. Your automatic response should be, “What kind of function are you having?” Before giving the price, you should learn: the ages of the children attending; the size of the audience (I kid you not: I once booked a birthday show at a birthday show price and ended up performing for nearly two hundred guests!); and the location of the party (Need I mention the cost of gas?). Then you are equipped for quoting a price. But before quoting the price, you must pitch the show. Put them into a “gotta have it” mode before telling them your price.
Well-Known Stories: We gifted, intelligent, creative puppeteers have a tendency to think of ourselves as gifted, intelligent and creative. Go figure. In the course of our puppet career we treat ourselves to writing an original story. When I went to write my own unique play, Roger Dennis, of Holmes Beach, Florida, said that, for what I did (libraries, schools, birthdays), well-known stories sell better. He was absolutely correct. Somehow, “Little Red Ridinghood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Br’er Rabbit” bring out the warm fuzzies in clients’ minds. And when calling, it saves the puppeteer time and energy. I ended up doing my own story, but had to explain in detail the entire plot to every contact I made. It was always a hard sell. Since then, I have stuck to the oldies and found there is as much creativity in presenting an old tale in a fresh way than there is in original works.
PVC Pipe Stage: I actually began going through my file cabinet this winter and what treasures I found. One was a stack of Eureka tips concerning PCV pipe stages, dating from February, 1999. This one is from Colleen, and that’s all the information I have. But Colleen says that she uses PCV pipe that is one and a half inch in diameter. All horizontal pieces are glued using PCV pipe glue. The vertical connections are just set in place. For long horizontal pieces she puts a coupling in the middle. A coupling is two pieces that glue onto the two pieces of pipe, and is threaded (one male and one female). Her long stage is eight feet long and three tiers high. There are no pieces of pipe longer than forty-two inches. All the pieces can fit into a duffle bag along with the curtains. The back verticals also have couplings. All the pieces are labeled and she sets up in ten minutes. Although most professionals agree that a wooden stage is superior, I can see how this type of stage would work well for those who work with larger troupes of kids that have to be very mobile.
Curtains For Pipe Stages: But what a problem getting curtains to stick to PCV pipe. Brian Morris, of Zak and Company, doesn’t put Velcro on the pipe. He sews the loop along the top of his curtain and pieces of hook further down. Then he loops the fabric over the pipe and joins them up.
Velcro: Speaking of Velcro, every year I keep saying that I am going to replace my yucky Velcro. The quality of Velcro seems to be getting poorer and poorer. Alice Rhodes, of Atlanta, Georgia, suggests that you go to the upholstery store and purchase the two-inch variety. It has a much stronger hold. If you need one inch, just cut it down the middle.
Eye Lashes: Alice also shared her idea for eyelashes. She says she looks for just the right wig. She cuts it to the right size (the hair is placed into the cap in rows) and glues it to a strip of felt. The hair can be trimmed to the perfect length and lasts much longer than the plastic ones.
Finger Puppets: I heard from Terri Klingelhoefer of Elletsville, Indiana about a fast and easy finger puppet. She goes to the thrift store (don’t we all?) and picks up stretch baby socks. She also uses these socks to stretch over tennis balls.
Summer Camp Puppets: Quick and easy puppets can be made from water noodles. Peggy Pearson, of Greenwood, Indiana cuts twelve inches of noodle per puppet and uses an elastic band to attach the skirt (an 18” round of cloth) about six inches up. What’s nice about a noodle is that anything can be poked into it (feathers, pipecleaners, brads) and stick-on eyes stick on. Fat fuzzy pipe cleaners, rolled at the ends for hands, are poked in for arms.
A Nice Thought: For you who do birthdays, before heading out, put a dollar bill in your pocket. At many of my parties the birthday child has a safety pin full of dollar bills pinned on like a corsage. Arriving guests add money to the corsage. What a nice gesture to have a dollar to add to the bouquet! Solid, good business. And the smiles are worth it.
Keep The Faith: I know we puppeteers are running anxious and some of us are running scared because of the economy. Ollie DePriest, of Springfield, Illinois says not to worry. It all comes down to quality and quantity. Strive continually toward quality in your show and do a whole lot more calling and mailing. The clients are out there; you only have to find them and help them find you.
Have a great summer season! And, for heaven’s sake, send me some tips!
- Nancy
Address Changes?
Please remember to let us know of any address or email changes. Thanks!
Puppeteers of America Membership
26 Howard Avenue
New Haven, CT 06519-2809
membership[at]puppeteers.org
(888) 568-6235
Playboard 