Call Me the Puppeteer

When I got my Master’s degree in Interpretive Speech, my dad asked me what I could do with that. I think the implication was that there was no specific job field called “interpretive speaker.” It is such a broad degree, covering everything from stage performance to formal public speaking. I too often wondered if it was such a good idea to have a degree in something so vague in the overall description. I doubt Dad thought I would use it to get back into puppetry!

But I have used my degree to extreme ends and each job gets more exciting and more enjoyable. I started out teaching college business and education students how to speak publicly. Then I taught ESL (English as a second language) students how to write and speak English more clearly. Then I was given the opportunity to start church drama teams. I taught mime and pantomime. I wrote and directed children’s theater, church choir cantatas, and special day programs.

Now I am privileged to work with human (realitstic) style puppetry!

When I was much younger, I went on a missions trip to Africa with Teen Missions International. In the boot camp training, we learned the basics of puppetry. My interest was more than piqued and I returned from that experience with a burning desire to start a church team. We were given the funding (thanks to my dear parents) and the Sonlights team was born. For two years our team worked hard and ministered. It was such a blessing to see my team grow both theatrically and spiritually.

Now, I have interested people who want puppetry teams again!

Last Sunday, I started teaching the 4th and 5th graders about basic technique and what I would look for in a puppet team audition. This group was younger than most that I’ve taught but they were incredibly excited and willing to do the work. I came away not only encouraged but truly excited to see what they will do in the future.

And I’ve been getting hints from adults that maybe I should open this opportunity up for them. If I get enough willing volunteers, this could be the start of an amazing ministry journey! How exciting that my life should come full circle back to how I started in ministry.

Oh, and here’s the really exciting thing for me…We are getting BRAND NEW PUPPETS! Thanks to the generosity of our children’s minister (and my awesome boss!), Susan, we will soon introduce Kay, Opie, Elle, Bea, Dee, and Jay into our programs. I think our children will really appreciate the opportunity to use these new and improved puppets. I look forward to seeing the puppet friends come “alive” in their small but eager hands.