Pokagon 20

A report by Guild President Sandye Voight

Wisconsin Guilding members Joan McCarthy, Chuck Voight and I, as well as John McCarthy attended the Great Lakes Regional Potlatch Nov. 5-7 at the Potawatomie Inn, Pokagon State Park, near Angola, Ind.

Performances included “The Fisherman and his Wife,” by Brad Lowe; “Captain Cranky and his Crew,” by Dave Herzog; Heidi Rugg’s “The Little Bread Hen;” Bob Brown’s “Secondhand Stars;” Nancy Sanders’ “Rumpelstiltskin;” and Jim Rose’s “Punch and Judy.”

Brad’s and Dave’s shows were repeats from the summer festival in Springfield, but of course, they’re delightful a second time and besides, there were only 38 people at that festival. Registration for Potlatch was a whopping 116!!!! Including about a dozen enthusiastic newcomers.

Receipts from a scotch auction, silent auction and a regular outloud auction approached $900, which will help immensely with the red ink incurred this summer.

The “ice breaker” was an auction of wearable puppet art, hosted by the Cincinnati Guild. I remembered that we were supposed to bring wearable puppet stuff but completely blanked on the notion that we were supposed to give it up to sell. So after a dismal attempt to create a puppet apron by late guild member Betty, I got 2 red blazers and red pants at a thrift shop and quickly sewed a bunch of puppets to them. Unfortunately, many of the puppets I used were ones I didn’t want to sell, including a punch and judy and a couple of antique Clippos. So, we just modeled the outfits (including some goofy headgear.) It was still fun.

One of my favorite performances was “The Little Bread Hen.” I think the company is from Virginia. Anyway, toward the end, you could swear you smelled bread baking! And, we did. The clever puppeteers had a little convection oven going in the back for our olfactory pleasure.

I took Anne Newman’s workshop on making pool noodle puppets. You cut a slice of foam pool noodle and use it as a handpuppet head. It’s already got a hole in the middle for your finger. You can just poke pieces of pipe cleaner into it for features and hair, etc. Put a piece of cloth on your hand and tie off your thumb and middle finger with a rubber band for the 2 hands. I will definitely try this sometime as a workshop at the opera house.

I also sat in on Bob Brown’s workshop on making marionettes from stuffed toys purchased at the thrift shop. He showed how to take some stuffing out, enhance the facial features with paint or markers and add some simple jointing for better movement. He does this to make a lot of new puppets fast for his Tiny Tot Tuesday shows, since the theater kept wanting him to make new shows all the time.

Our guild was in charge of the Trading Post (flea market) this year. Wow! People really take this seriously. There was a lot of great things for sale. Of course, I had to buy a few things!

Guild presidents meeting

Why is this meeting always at 8 a.m. on Saturday! Dave Herzog, who is Great Lakes Regional director, said he’ll try for another time next year.

He’ll be updating us on the new treasury balance after Potlatch.

He has proposed the region consider sitting out the next round of regionals, in 2012, and at least re-examine the approach.

However, there are 2 proposals on the table:

1. Scott Beam, of Indiana, is researching the use of the Howe Military Academy, which is not far from Pokagon and Shipshewana.

2. The Great Plains Region is proposing planning a joint regional, perhaps coinciding with an existing children’s festival, held in West Liberty, Iowa, each year.

(See my report on the regional meeting during which both of these were discussed.)

Dave is also proposing:

A multi-tiered festival fee schedule, with differing fees for senior citizens, senior citizen couples, students, children, couples and families.

A separate workshop setup for children, so that while adult workshops are going on, there’s something for the kids to do. Ideally, the kids would make puppets and perform something at Potpourri.

A public performance coordinator (preferably a young puppeteer who would receive a stipend) to publicize shows to the general public and to provide outreach to local high school and college students for theater credit. (He’s recommending this for the nationals, also.)

Guest artists from outside the region.

Performers booked by bidding, including the price of the performance, with travel expenses and free registration provided BUT NOT FOOD AND LODGING.

When a budget is chosen, the festival board stick to it.

A call for performers at least 1 ½ years in advance.

That meal packages be optional, not mandatory.

That venues in smaller cities be considered for their affordability.

Each guild gave a report.

Ginger Lozar noted that the Central Illinois Guild has been ‘reborn’ and now has a half dozen active members.

I noted that the Wisconsin Guild has only a half dozen active members, but maybe we should count ourselves lucky, too. I reported on the June Day of Puppetry at the Hazel Green Opera House.

The Chicago Guild is looking into hosting puppet slams.

Western Michigan had fun making humanettes for sale, but no one bought any.

The Detroit Guild is planning a youth puppet rally.

Cincinatti has “Dummies and Donuts,” quick get-togethers and also takes touring puppeteers to lunch.

Columbus puppeteers made Muppet-type puppets.

PGNO is “on life support,” but makes a ton of money on and annual garage sale.

Indiana is “not quite on life support,” but has difficulty meeting because of being spread out.

Next year, Wisconsin Guild is in charge of exhibits at Potlatch.

Regional meeting

There was extensive discussion of the 2 proposals about the next regional.

Scott Beam said the Howe Academy would be able to offer us dorm lodging of $15 per night. He believes he could come up with a package of $250 per person, including lodging, meals and registration.

The site is not handicap accessible, but we could rent ramps for some venues.

Also, there are some motels and B&B’s nearby for those who don’t enjoy dorm living.

There was enough interest among members to pursue the idea further.

We will also continue to look into the idea of a joint festival with the Great Plains.

A presidential note

PGNO president Jean Jackson noted that she’s in her 5^th year of a 2-year presidency.

I’ve been Wis. Guild president since the guild show – definitely more than 5 years. We haven’t had an election of officers for quite a while, because it’s hard to find a time to get together. And I take a share of the blame, since Chuck and I are so busy with shows and other events at the Hazel Green Opera House.

I will be happy to hand over the baton, if someone is interested in jumpstarting or at least continuing this organization.

So, think about that, please. I will try to figure out a time when we can gather in late winter/spring. Any thoughts? Should we meet in Madison? Anyone want to host a meeting or invite us to preview a show, attend a performance, join in a workshop?

If anyone has any questions or ideas, please email me. And email Joan to update her on your puppet doings.