The Tale of Peter Rabbit & Rumpelstiltskin with Kaydee Puppets will be presented at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, at 4:15 p.m. For ages 2-6. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us. Dee Cardiff of Kaydee Puppets answered the questions.
Explain the premise of the puppet show.
We start with standard fairy tales and add variations, especially current terminology to include phrases that the children are familiar with — sort of an updated approach. At the Cascades Library April 14, at 4:15 p.m., we will be performing a double feature, Peter Rabbit (since it's spring) and Rumplestitlskin.
How did you get involved in being a puppeteer?
I had lived in California, near Castroville, the Artichoke Capital, and after getting married, moving to Virginia, having children who went to preschool, I was asked to introduce a food to a group of 20 3- and 4-year-olds. I made a little leafy puppet, Arty Artichoke, who encouraged the children (by whispering in my ear) to try tasting the artichoke. With the exception of one child, every single 3- to 4-year-old tried the artichoke! I was amazed at the power of puppets and quickly talked my sister and husband into starting a puppet business. Our first "gig" was a performance for our very shy daughter when she was about to enter kindergarten. From there we sent out flyers to schools and libraries … and the rest is history as the business grew and grew. Now our daughter and granddaughter both do shows and my sister comes back from Culpeper to occasionally "lend a hand" … a real family business.
What were some of the challenges when making a puppet show?
Deciding on what characters we need; writing the script, blocking the show (since there are two puppeteers there can never be more than four puppets on stage, unless they are on a stand, as is the case with The Seven Dwarfs). All of this is very creative — then comes the hard part, practicing! I can think of more excuses not to practice, but it is absolutely essential if you wish to feel comfortable and leave the audience feeling satisfied. You have to rehearse enough to establish pauses and pacing, fine-tune word selection, add little nuances to make it more life-like, etc.
What is your favorite part of working with puppets?
Interacting with the children! Their laughter, their involvement, their rapt attention are all invigorating. My favorite compliment after performing a show is "Can you please do that again?" Recently, one little boy said, "That was so funny! It just made my mouth crack up!" Isn't that one of the best definitions of a smile or laugh?
What is your favorite puppet?
Developing a persona and projecting it through the puppet with subtle movement works for me. Chuck (Kaydee puppet’s other puppeteer) prefers the broader, slapstick approach. A favorite puppet? Again it depends which puppeteer you're talking to — I think Chuck prefers those with more of an edge, i.e. Rumpelstiltskin; and I tend to like the softer, small puppets like Sheldon Sheep, Baby Bear or Mortimer Mouse.
What do you think puppets offer that is special?
They certainly increase memory retention and are good educators. We will probably be doing "Primary to President" again this fall; The "Colonial Connection," about America's early beginnings was popular during Virginia's 400-year celebration. The other special thing about puppets is their ability to stir the imagination. Many times a puppet will describe something offstage and if you were to watch the children, you can almost see each one forming their own picture. Or the simple sound effect of a wood block being tapped against the stage and children immediately know that Goldilocks is going upstairs to explore the rest of the house. Kids are terrific and don't need to have every little thing spelled out. We set the stage, but do not use many props, allowing for their imaginations to soar.
Is there music involved in the show?
We use some music, but mostly just to start the show or an an interlude or if absolultely necessary, i.e. Cinderella at the ball. Unfortunately, neither of us are good singers, but no one ever said a puppet had to carry a tune, so it does not limit us too much!
Do you make your own puppets? If so how?
I make most of the puppets and Chuck makes all the props. I choose fabric, usually felt for the people faces, fur for animals, start cutting, sew a little bit, tweak some more and eventually the character comes out at the other end!
What do you hope the audience will get out of it?
Since we are dealing with fairly young audiences, for many it is a first "theatre experience." We hope they have fun, learn manners for being a good collective audience, use their imaginations and perhaps try some puppeteering themselves when back home (we've heard this happens from many parents). For the parents and other adults, we hope they will recapture the child within themselves, appreciate the extra "adult-type" humor we try to add; show by example what a good audience member does; discuss different parts of the show with their children on the way home.
How can kids get involved with puppets?
You certainly don't need an elaborate set up, the back of a couch works fine, and puppets can be stuffed animals, dolls, a sock with the toe stuffed in to form a mouth, whatever is at hand. Decide on a small skit, practice with your sibling or by yourself and then invite a friend or relative to kick back and watch you ham it up!
What is the funniest part about this show?
Hmmm, I guess you'll have to come and decide for yourself!