World Puppetry Day 2020
Posted By Kathleen David on March 21, 2020
Day six of the Homebound Saga and the weekend so do what you usually do on the weekend around your home.
Today is World Puppetry Day and the theme this year is Puppetry for Peace.
Years ago, I participated in the annual Bread and Puppet parade at their farm in Vermont. Around the farm were various puppet stages and many groups and individuals performing. There was one group from El Salvador that had a show that was about their belief that peace was possible in their country even at that time. It was a very positive message. It is one of those experiences that has stayed with me and shape me as a puppeteer.
Puppetry has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I get asked often when did I get into puppetry and I tell them that I have always been.
My favorite part of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood was the Neighborhood of Make-believe. I adored Kula, Fran and Ollie. I am glad I had younger brothers and sister so I could watch Sesame Street without any guilt.
I am fortunate that I grew up in Atlanta for so many reasons. One of those was Vince Anthony and the Vagabond Marionettes. They performed at our elementary school more than once. Vince is the driving force behind creating the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.
I am proud that I worked there for a time. I took lessons there. I used their library and museum collection to help Neil and Dave with the Tragic Comedy or the Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch. The Center for Puppetry Arts gets a thank you in that book. Neil also used something I told him about puppets going from felt to real in the book as well.
(Neil, little Neil, and me at DragonCon. From left to right Neil Gaiman wearing a leather coat and sunglasses. He is leaning on Little Neil the puppet who is wearing a leather coat and sunglasses. I am operating the puppet and wearing a blue sweatshirt.)
My first big puppet ‘project’ happened in May 1996 after the airing of the Doctor Who movie. The challenge came to make all the Doctors by DragonCon which was then held in July. I did it and that was the beginning of so many things for me.
Professional photo taken of me with my Doctor Who puppets. I am wearing a black sleeveless tunic and the puppets are in a circle in front of me with the first Doctor on the far left and the Second on the far right then the third on the left and the fourth on the right continuing with the fifth on the left and the sixth on the right and the seventh in the middle. On my lap is the eight doctor)
The first fannish puppetry slam piece I did at DragonCon was taking the song “It’s OK to be Gay” and changing it to “It’s OK to be Takei” after a state informed teachers they could no longer use the word gay in the schools. George told them to use his last name instead so they could skirt the ban.
(From left to right Nicky who has green skin, black hair, and wearing an original series Star Trek red Shirt, Me wearing the Q outfit from Encounter at Farpoint, Rod as an Andorian wearing a blue science shirt.)
From that has come all kinds of silliness and opportunities that I would not have otherwise.
Puppets have given me happy memories over the years. A number of adventures happened because of puppetry.
I am a puppeteer and proud of it.
I am grateful I have puppets in my life.
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