Frequently Asked Questions
I
have a small apartment - how
much space do you need?
My set
up is flexible -
I can work in very small spaces. Generally
I need a space about five feet wide and approximately
four feet deep.
The
best place for me to perform is in the corner
of a room, away from doorways if possible. Do
I need to provide anything for the show?
No, I bring everything I need to perform
the show. I will arrive approximately 20 minutes
before the scheduled start time to set up.
What
timing do you recommend for starting the show?
If a party is scheduled for two hours, I usually
begin the show about 30 minutes after the party
begins, giving everyone time to arrive and settle
in.
Food
is usually served after the performance and to
minimize distractions, I do request that no food be served to the children during the
show. Can
we do the show outdoors?
On two separate occasions, I have had children
faint at outdoor shows due to "sun stroke". While
no grownup would
willingly sit in direct sunlight
for 45 minutes on a hot, humid day, for some
reason we think this will be fun for children.
I strongly advise against organizing outdoor
shows
in the hot summer
months
unless
you have
a cool, shady area to perform the show.
Do
you create custom shows for special themed
parties?
I have created a range of shows to fit the
most common party themes I've seen over the
years,
but due to the large number of shows I perform,
it is impossible for me to create a custom
show
for
individual parties.
What
do I need to book a show?
When you are ready to book a date
and time, I will send a letter of agreement
which must be signed and returned to me. Payment
is due on the day of the performance by cash or
check.
Is
there a place I can see you perform before I
book?
The overwhelming majority of my shows
are for private events and preschools.
Beginning September 8th, 2010,
I will be performing a weekly show
in Hoboken that will be open to the
public. For more information, please
sign up to receive my newsletter
on the home page.
Do
you wear crazy costumes in your shows?
I have found that a stranger in an outrageous
costume is often too much for preschoolers
to handle. I generally perform in neat, casual
clothing.
I
do have a "Ranger" outfit I wear for the Wild City
Safari educational show,
and have been known to bust out a chicken
costume or pirate garb for special shows, but generally,
I go with understated, casual clothing.
What
if my child is afraid of the puppets?
Over
the years, my experience has taught me that puppets
can be frightening for some children. As such,
I have developed a gentle method for introducing
the children to the puppets.
Regardless
of the show I'm doing, I begin by introducing myself
and telling the kids that
I am doing a puppet
show. I have a brief/funny discussion about
what puppets are and the fact that all my puppets
are
very
friendly and sometimes a bit shy.
I
then sing a song to "warm up" the audience,
and remind them
once more after the song that the puppets are
going to appear and that they're very friendly.
Though my shows are energetic and fast-paced, I
always introduce the puppets gently so as not to
scare the children.
I
have discovered that, with very few exceptions,
preparing the children in this way makes them feel
very comfortable and ready to enjoy the show when
the puppets finally begin to appear.
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