I realize that many storytellers may feel that adding a
puppet to a storytelling performance is just plain wrong. After all, can’t a
well-told story or program of stories stand alone? Why depend on an
attention-getting device like a puppet to keep the interest of an audience?
Isn’t it bad enough that most people think storytelling is just for tiny tots
and elementary kids - why add fuel to this notion by adding a puppet to the mix?
An excellent storyteller certainly does not need anything
except a great story (or stories) to enthrall an audience, but if every
storyteller did this, I believe fewer performers would stand out from the
crowd. Like a good actor, a storyteller is first a performer with a duty
to entertain, inform and delight in a memorable way. I firmly believe that if
you have a talent, interest or skill to distinguish your storytelling style
from others, you should think about including it when it seems appropriate
during performances.
I do not wish to dismiss nor discourage you if you want to
develop storytelling programs without including extra skills. My point here is to encourage anyone who has
thought about including a special talent in a storytelling show, but has lacked
the courage to do so. You may be surprised and delighted by the positive
response. I have learned that audiences are impressed by and more easily
remember performers who mix things up by including another art form in their
shows.
So, what works for me, might not work for you. Puppetry has
been one of my lifelong interests, so I have developed a sense about how a
puppet relates to different ages in an audience. I am also aware that a puppet has
the potential to overshadow a performance or performer, so I have developed my
storytelling programs to help me maintain control of any puppet I use in a show
and still keep my audience with me and engaged in the stories I tell.
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