Puppets for the Innocent, the Traumatized, and the Doomed!

Don't do what I did, unless you're a glutton for punishment or have no idea what you're doing or are a certified (and certifiable) goof! No, I didn't try to put on a three-act version of Beauty and the Beast complete with transformations, smoke and fire, etc. But I did jump right into puppet plays. If that is what you'd like to do, fine. Just don't do what I did: grab some puppets, have no rehearsal, and jump right in. Hey! I know the story; how hard could it be?

Thankfully, kids aren't adults, aren't cynics, don't pick everything apart, and --- generally --- love puppets. If you don't believe me, and haven't used puppets, put a puppet on your hand (or a stuffed animal or doll on your lap) and sit in front of a bunch of kids. Hold up the puppet and notice how the eyes of the children go directly to the puppet or toy. And most, if not all, are smiling in anticipation.

This is where beginning puppeteers --- librarians, teachers, Sunday school teachers, moms, etc. --- freak out. What do I do next????!!!!?!?!?!?!

1. Take a deep breath. Take a couple. Gather yourself together.

2. Remember: they're smaller than you are. So are bugs and frogs. Don't think about that too much.

3. Introduce your little friend. Smile at the audience and say, "This is my friend, Little Earwig." Turn to Little Earwig and smile. "Wave 'Hello', Little Earwig!" Wave Little Earwig's arm or nod his/her/it's head at the children. "Little Earwig is here to listen to today's story, The Three Little Pigs." Little Earwig nods his/her/it's head, waves an arm, or signals 'yes' in some way. Then, you launch into your story.

You can hold Little Earwig in your lap and pretend he/she/it's not there. If you are brave, you can occasionally look at Little Earwig during the story. If you are insanely, outrageously daring, you can actually appear to have an interaction with Little Earwig as the story progresses. But it's not necessary; the kids will be thrilled just the same.

Little Earwig is a hit and you didn't do anything but say hello and tell your usual story!

P.S.: One of our local professional puppeteers has a puppet named "Little Oatmeal!" So is "Little Earwig" so outrageous? Absolutely not, if that's what it takes to get you started. So there.