Puppet Productions!

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Leading the modern puppet ministry for 30 years!

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Puppet Productions announce big changes for 2002 tour
DeSoto, Tx - The people at Puppet Productions really want to help puppeteers.  This year, they want to do it differently.  They want the puppet shows to come to them.   In 50 different cities, that is.

     Nearly every year in the thirty year history of the company, Puppet Productions has taken a training workshop on the road. As a part of that workshop they featured grade-A demonstrations of their puppet programs.  They usually taught 10,000 people in virtually 150 cities during each tour.

     Current training director Darren Collins announced that in the spring of 2002 Puppet Productions will kick off another training tour of the USA. 

     "Much like our tours of years past, hands-on training and professional performances will be featured prominently.   However, in addition to this beloved format, our touring team will allow local puppeteers to showcase their own puppet shows as well." 

     Showing off isn't the goal, however, Collins stresses.   While attendees have the option of watching these local teams perform, the purpose is for each local team to have the opportunity  for evaluation and critique by Puppet Productions staff members. Each team that performs will receive instructional tips and hints along with their evaluations.

     Teams will be privately "scored" in a variety of categories for reference, but only as a means to identify strong or weak areas of performance.  "Local teams will essentially be 'competing' against themselves, not each other," Collins continued.

"With new classes, a strong performance, and a chance for registered attendees to perform for one another AND be evaluated by our staff -- this is sure to be a great tour."

Not everyone who attends the 2002 workshops will be able to receive this personal attention however.   Performance time is limited and only those who register early will get the opportunity for a professional critique. 

     "However, anyone can watch the local performances and there are plenty of helpful classes running continuously," Collins continues.   "And each evening is capped with a performance by the Puppet Productions team, so all attendees will have plenty to do!"

     A Performing Arts Variety Show will be showcased each evening. Attendees will see the skills taught in the workshop classes in the context of a professional show.

     Attendees in 2002 may also notice that Puppet Productions is holding much longer workshops on Fridays and Saturdays this year.  Apparently demand is high for an extended amount of hands-on training, and Puppet Productions wants to meet that demand.

  Along with the new classes there will be many repeated classes at weekend workshops, "so no one has to miss anything," Collins offers. There will also be an extended amount of critique sessions by the Puppet Productions staff. 

        Rules will be stringent, and the scoring will be tough, no matter the day of the week they attend.   "Those who want to be critiqued will get the chance to be encouraged, receive some insight from outsiders, and get a fair evaluation of skills.  It's really a great opportunity," Collins adds. 

Changes To Take Place:

  • Teams are invited to perform
  • Puppet Productions staff will critique and give tips to each group
  • New classes offered
  • Two-day workshops in selected cities
  • Performing Arts Variety Show at 8:30 pm at every weekday workshop!
Classes will include:
Refining Your Basic Skills*
Perfecting Your Puppetry*
Puppetry Tech and Blacklight
Gospel Illusion
Balloon Sculpture
Dramas & Skits*
Object Lessons*

Extra Weekend Classes:
Puppetry in Missions & Outreach Ideas
Solo puppetry and Puppetume work
Juggling
* Repeated Classes

 

REGISTRATION COST:
for payment 10 days prior
One Day Workshops
(or either day of weekend workshops)

$15 per person
Groups of 8+: $10 per person
LATE FEE: ADD $3

Weekend Workshops
(registration for both days)

$20 per person
Groups of 8+ : $15 per person
LATE FEE: ADD $3
CLICK HERE
for a printable registration
form with Evaluation Performance RULES.

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The Rules:
  • Teams may prepare a live or pre-recorded skit or song.
  • Soloists who/if do not demand a large stage area, (i.e. Vent, Juggler, Magician, Ballooner) may also prepare a presentation. 
  • One entry per group.  (Groups may be asked to have two presentations ready, if time allows.)  Soloists must register separately and CANNOT perform additionally with a group.
  • ALL ENTRIES MUST BE MADE AT THE TIME OF EVENT REGISTRATION AND ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.
  • A CD player, cassette player, 4 headset microphones and amplification will be furnished.  A 4 outlet power strip will be available.
  • Skit or Song must not exceed 4 minutes.  Exceeding 4 minutes will be considered a deliberate breaking of rules. A 15 second grace period will be allowed, but power will be cut off at exactly 4:15.
  • You will have 3 minutes for setup.  You will have one minute to tear down.
  • All props and scenery must be freestanding.  Cloth scenery may drape over the stage.  If you desire to lay something on the stage, that is acceptable, but set up time is strictly enforced.  Additional stage specifications (aside from what is published HERE are not available, and you will not have time to test your set up before performances.)
  • No pyrotechnics are allowed.
  • No confetti of any sort is allowed. Leaving anything on the floor will be considered deliberate.
  • Stage will be three tiered. Specs are HERE.  Middle tier can be removed.
  • Basic black light set-up will be furnished.
On Event Day: Puppet Productions doesn't waste any time at workshops.  Classes are fast paced, yet fun.  Breaks are short yet only serve to move people from one class to the next.  Weekdays, we will start at 6:00 pm and end at 9:45 pm or before.  Because the local team performance evaluation sessions run simultaneously with certain classes, a tight schedule is necessary so each team gets the individual attention it deserves.   Teams who have registered to perform and arrive late risk losing their opportunities to perform.  Registration begins at 5:30pm on weekdays and 8:30am on Saturdays. We highly recommend you arrive at the church at this time.   In the event that fewer teams register to perform than time allows, we may be able to evaluate a second performance by those teams present.  Your team is encouraged to have another piece ready to showcase as an encore.

 

WHO?
    Each year, since 1973, Puppet Productions has taken a team of professionals out on the road, teaching techniques of puppetry.  As years went on, it saw many changes and became more and more effective and widespread, when finally it became a tour that trained nearly 10,000 people a year. It even expanded past puppetry and into related arts such as juggling, gospel illusions, balloon sculpture, face painting, clowning, children's outreach, object lessons, child evangelism, and stage and prop design.  2002 brings new and exciting demonstrations and classes that have never been seen before.  Now with the personal invite for local teams around the country to perform, Puppet Productions hopes to more specifically encourage the ministry teams of churches nationwide.

WHY?

    It is our aim to continue the growth of ministry ideas and expand the horizons of those who are not familiar with creative ministry/teaching techniques. Spreading the gospel can be FUN and still hold the integrity of the truth.we