February 2008 PGNO Meeting

The Puppetry Guild of Northeastern Ohio’s next meeting will be this Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Jean Jackson’s house. It is called “An Afternoon At The Puppet Movies.” First off they will be viewing an authentic performance of Vietnam Water Puppets from Hanoi. Secondly, they will show the work of a famous hand puppeteer from China. Thirdly, they’ll watch “An Hour With Jim Henson” a film that documents his life, his career, his hopes, etc, filmed right before he died, and fourthly, “The American Puppet”, the PBS film on American Puppetry. After that, they will have a potluck. Anyone coming is asked to bring something to share, either to eat or drink. Bring also any puppets or puppet related items for “show-and-tell.” They will also discuss the possibility of hosting the Regional Picnic in May.

The meeting takes places at 2980 Washington Blvd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118-2450, US. Click on the address for a link to Mapquest for personalized directions.

PGNO

Got some stuff from Nancy Sander of Puppets with Pizazz! Nancy is also the Vice President of the Puppetry Guild of Northeastern Ohio. I've been a member for the past several years and needed to renew my membership. Nancy sent me a copy of the membership form which I scanned. The guild brings in puppet performers, does an occasional make-it-and-take-it and represents Northeast Ohio for the Annual Day with Puppets. Nancy also sent along a hand puppet pattern designed by Roger Dennis. Click the images below for the full size application and pattern.

Crazy guild members in Punch Attire.

Blue Boy

I thought I would put a link up to a great, free hand puppet pattern. This is the Blue Boy pattern. I have used this pattern for years as the basis for any mouth puppets I’ve built. I’ll eventually post my modified pattern, but if you need to make a mouth puppet this is the perfect pattern to start with.

Click on the image below to get to the pattern on Marla’s Home Page. Also check out her fun story time puppet photos.

Snow White

Coming up on Feb 16, 2008 in the Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre at the Idea Center is a performance of Snow White at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Based on the popular fairy tale by the Brothers’ Grimm, Snow White uses nearly life-sized textile puppets to create a large, living, soft, touchable picture book of Snow White characters for members of the audience to interact with and embrace. A unique, creative and engaging puppeteer/actor performance from Germany unlike any you’ve seen before. Click on the dwarf below to explore the German webpage (with a link to the English version) of this creative company/performer.











Tickets are available through Playhouse Square.

Up and Running

So… I didn’t get this site up in time for the Henson Legacy at the Cleveland Museum of Art or the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's touring production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites or the touring production of Avenue Q at the Palace Theatre but… I'm sure I'll find SOMETHING to post.