What do puppeteers actually do?

Have you ever thought about someone else's work day?  What do the guys who change your oil do when there aren't any cars lined up for servicing?  What do waiters and cooks do in between customers?  What do teachers do after school?  What do bank executives do anyway?

I don't have answers to those questions, but I now have some experience in performing in a puppet road trip.

The first thing puppeteers do is look for more work!  We look for postings on Craigs List under jobs and gigs.  We call friends who are working.  We check out Puptcrit for leads and contacts.  We look on the Puppeteers of America's Bulletin board.  The actress I'm working with in Extreme Health Challenge looks for work between 30 minutes and 2 hours every day!  [Send me your favorite work seeking ideas.]

Once you find a lead, you can expect an audition.  Yep, you're expected to  have monologues, do character voices, demonstrate special skills (juggling, dancing, singing, acrobatics are all good to have for a puppet show) and prove your experience in manipulating different kinds of puppets!  Always keep limber and practiced in your craft.  You never know what you'll be asked to do.  Many puppet shows these days demand you perform multiple characters, both puppet and human.

Next comes driving.  The puppet show I'm performing in moves to a new venue every day.  We are travelling from the Palm Beaches all the way down into South Florida.  (West Palm Beach to Homestead in the same week!)  Schools begin their day early and we commonly try to be there by 6:30AM.  If the van's parking is an hour or more away, you'll have to wake up early in the morning.  But remember, it's better to leave early and beat the traffic, than it is to call from the road and explain why you will be late!  If you have a home base for parking your van it's a round trip every day (that's what I'm doing now).  Tours translate into lots of hours on the road.  Sometimes your directions are not so wonderful.  If a number is dropped from the street address, you'll be lost.  Construction?  Prepare to be re-routed.  

You have arrived but you don't get to perform just yet.  Is the parking lot open or locked?  Is there a door close to the performance area?  Can we borrow a moving cart?  Puppeteers are expected to unload the van, set up the stage,help set up the lights and the sound system, greet your hosts, answer any questions, schmooze over any issues at the site and then set props and puppets.  You check everything you'll need for the show.  If there are any repairs or touch-ups that can't wait for some down time, do them now.  If repairs can wait, make sure you write them down or you will forget as soon as everything is packed away.  Where are the grown-up bathrooms?  You may even have time to do some vocal and physical warm-ups.  Be sure to check your microphone levels and walk the stage for light levels!  Check your costume.

OK it's almost show time.  You may have to help seat the audience.  You have checked sight lines and you know where you don't want people to sit.  They will especially want to sit there.  It's good to be a diplomat.  Is there any audience participation?  Don't forget to assign your volunteers.  Almost ready?  Good, now go over the basics.  "Everyone stays in their seats, don't talk to your neighbors so everybody can hear.  Thank your host.  Find a way to get their energy up."

Show time!  You have 30 to 45 minutes of performance.  If you are doing 2 shows today, you'll hopefully have a short break, time to pre-set everything again and then do another performance.  If you are not so lucky you may have to wait hours until lunch is over (oh yes you are performing in the cafetorium and lunch comes early in the day) before you can do the second show!

That was great!  Now all that remains is: pack up the puppets and props (don't forget any!), take down the set, lights and sound and then pack all of it back into the van.  Check the stage for anything left behind.  Now you are ready for that (long) ride back to either the parking area or the hotel.

If you are like me, you'll be ready for a nap!  If you have lots and lots of energy, go to the beach!  Just don't forget that it starts all over again the next morning.

So don't envy those puppeteers who show up for an hour and then leave your school.  It may seem like they work for only an hour or three a day and have the rest of the day off, but appearances can be deceiving!

I love show business!

dg