Playwriting for Puppet Theatre (Paperback)

~ (Author)

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Product Description

Playwriting for Puppet Theatre provides a foundation for those puppeteers, teachers and librarians who want to develop suitable scripts for puppet theatre. Mattson explores the difference between traditional theatre and puppet theatre and notes the special characteristics of the various puppets. The important aspects of script writing are then addressed. She considers the many general questions which must be answered by the playwright: the type of puppet to be used, the audience, and availability of resources and facilities. Suggestions are then given for dramatizing original ideas and for adapting well-known stories. The chapter on plot development emphasizes the importance of perspective, transitional material and the need for action. One chapter proposes various ways to develop a character through dialogue, names, and behavior. Another chapter demonstrates how the use of rhyme can add interest and humor to a puppet play. Teachers will find suggestions on how to develop a play on a specific theme or about a specific character. Some attention is also given to the mechanics of writing a play. Includes a group of puppet plays which have been successfully performed by Seattle Puppetory Theatre. Among them are "Rumplestiltskin", "The Princess and the Pea", "The Bad-Tempered Wife", "The Golden Axe", "The Swineherd", and "The Fisherman and His Wife". Production notes follow each script. Several samples of manipulation charts are included which may be used as an aid in blocking the puppets and the puppeteers for the various hand puppet productions.

About the Author

Jean M. Mattson is Artistic Director of the Seattle Puppetory Theatre.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. (July 21, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810833247
• ISBN-13: 978-0810833241
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,263,029 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK WAS UNEXPECTEDLY FUN TO READ., July 26, 1999

By A Customer

I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO GIVES PRESENTATIONS TO A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE.