Nicole did a great job introducing all of us and prepping the audience for all the fun. Jake The Snake flawlessly performed first and taught everyone a lesson about sharing pudding cups and being friends with everyone. They set the energy level high for the rest of the afternoon and while the stage was set for the second play, the families got to meet all the actors and puppets from Jake The Snake.
Viktor’s Quest; A Scandinavian Tale performed next and wowed the crowd with their mermaids’ spot on Jersey accents, epic rapping battles, and energetic swimming fish. For the final scene, the audience watched as the giant sea monster turned out to not be an enemy after all but rather Fluffy, a long lost friend! We learned again how important friendship is. (As well as how fun dropping a beat can be!) The puppets were a hit amongst the kids and parents, talking and moving, as the stage was prepared for the third show.
Next, The Lion and The Unicorn took the stage and rattled the audience with laughter and excitement as perfectly performed scenes took place between the animals yearning for power, each with an original voice and attitude to match! We learned that cheaters never prosper and animals (like the lion!) that follow the rules will be showered with brown bread, plum cake and goodies galore. Before the final play took place, the families got to meet the puppets from The Lion and The Unicorn, and the actors that make each of the puppets come alive behind the curtains.
Finally, last but not least, Wishing On A Star took the stage sans clouds, water or hills and brought the audience on an adventure that included a visit from the magical TALKING Star, and a hyper happy Kitty, Duck and Bunny wishing on the Star before they went to sleep at their fun slumber party. With the addition of props popping up, the Star swirling around and even all three other animals falling asleep at the end of the performance, tuckered out from all that excitement, the group did a really great job working together to keep their performance flowing.
After hanging out with the audience for a little while longer, everyone worked together to break-down the set in record time, load up the van and collect all of the equipment we had used to travel back to CCAD. Once we arrived back on campus, different small groups moved up and down between the van and the Design building so we could safely put away our puppets, set and props. We all worked really hard and our efforts paid off — everyone had a great time performing at Nationwide!
Be sure to check out our newly updated YouTube channel to enjoy video footage of all the plays from Sunday, funny behind-the-scenes clips and all other film shot throughout the weeks of our puppet show project!
http://www.youtube.com/user/CCADpuppetshow2011
-Shayna, Liz & Luke
