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 Recalling Puppet Power 2007: Puppets As Agents of Social Change
“Puppet Power” is a conference, historically occurring every two years, which explores the power of puppetry beyond performance. It features keynote speakers and hands- on workshops led by international artists and professionals. Other components often include panel and round table discussions, puppet performances, Master classes, puppet exhibits and film/video screenings. Past conferences have been “Puppet Power 2005: Puppets Promote Literacy”, “Puppet Power 2003: Embracing Multiculturalism”, “Puppet Power 2002: Puppets as a Therapeutic Medium”.
The goal of this conference is to give participants greater knowledge and increased comfort to use the medium of puppetry more frequently in their various professional applications.
In May 2007 we presented an exciting and inspiring conference on “Puppets as Agents of Social Change” at the Rozsa Centre University of Calgary. This conference included exploration into:
- the current puppet usage in political and social etc. activism,
- puppetry’s existing and potential role in peace, health, religious, environmental and school education programs
- how puppets can be used for community and organizational transformation
- connected art mediums i.e.: popular theatre, eco theatre, mask, pageantry.
- how to balance the medium and the message.
We also provided training in making and using various types of puppetry for a variety of skill levels
Here are some of the recollections from the conference:
Past conference participants have said:
“More than I expected. Many ideas, new art form integrating with visual art, connection to my relation with words”
“It was great to get out of the box of regular items and use other items. Workshop was too short. I had so much fun”
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