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Great Lakes Regional P of A Festival 

at U. of Wisconsin, Madison, 20-23 July 2000

Toy Theatre

Workshop

See also report

by Robert Poulter

in English and German.

Banner by Lynn Zetzman.

These photos are courtesy of Don Abramson . . . and we are all most grateful to him!! 

The workshop featured Robert Poulter and Jon Bankert assisted by Gigi Sandberg, Don Abramson.
 


 Gigi Sandberg,
Gulfport, MS

Robert Poulter,
Ramsgate, kent, UK

Jon Bankert,
Long Island, NY

and    Don Abramson.
Glenview, IL

 
There were six workshop sessions with a short presentation by Robert Poulter, and then the challenge 
to the participants included:

Jim Rose,
Yellow Springs, OH
  • assembling a stage, 
  • designing a show, 
  • preparing a script, 
  • drawing and painting 

    • the figures and scenes, 
  • and performing their 

    • "masterpieces" at 
the Toy Theatre Salon on Sunday Morning at the end of the Festival. 

Mickey Aronoff,
Cincinnatti, OH

(Almost all of the participants put in many extra hours, due to their enthusiasm for the production.)
 
Debbie and Julie Brown, Eau Clair, WI

Rodney Erickson, Illinois


Lynn Zetzman,
Appleton WI

Diane Hendricks,
Richland Center, WI

Heather McPherson,
Oshkosh WI
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Robert Poulter presented a short piece at each of the workshop sessions and each evening at 10 pm 
he performed his Mr. Stanley Gets Steamed Up 

Front showing black proscenium and curtains
 


Rear - slotted stage and light bar.

 
followed by Jon Bankert presenting The Bacchae 


Because the theatres are so small, the size 
of the audience must also be limited . . . 

People were turned away at the 
door at almost every performance. 
 

The interest in Toy Theatre at this festival 
was overwhelming . . . a big surprise!!
 
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The attendance at the  Salon was also quite large . . . and the original presentations were fabulous.

Jim Rose appeared first and amazed us all with his completely unique interpretation of Pinoccio. He obviously made the transition to tiny flat figures and a wee little stage with ease. He would normally be a hard act to follow, but all the "students" did very well.
 

Mickey Aronoff scandalized the group 
with La Cucaracha- a Mexican  romance 
complete with "anatomically correct" figures.
Lynn Zetzman performed an 
enchanting version (tho not quite 
complete) of Hiawatha utilizing 
interesting lighting and transpar-
encies. This is the same Lynn that 
we know from her Larger than 
Life Parade Puppets . . . 

well, she didn't get to all the
workshop sessions because of 
her committment to the parade 
but, she said, she spent enough 
time to get "infected" with toy 
theatre. (Good for you, Lynn).

 
 
 
Diane Hendricks presented 
a charming folktale and 


 


Heather McPherson did one also, 
only with an Oriental flavor, Hoichi.
 
Debbie and Julie Brown, our only 
mother-daughter team didn't complete their 
project before they had to leave for home. 

Rodney Erickson had to leave early also but 
since he couldn't perform in the Salon, he treated the Potpourri with his presentation the evening before. . . 

and THEY LOVED IT! 
Toy Theatre at Potpourri - a real first for P of A!!


 

A small exhibit was at the entrance to the Beefeaters Room where the
workshop and 
performances 
were held.


.
Don Abramson brought several of his theatres in his car.
Since Gigi Sandberg traveled by Greyhound, she only brought her DixieBelle.
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