| Hi! Here are some details about myself: |
| My name is: |
Donna Gordon |
| I have a home page at: |
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| My occupation (when I'm not doing puppets!) is: |
Seamstress-playwright |
| My approximate age is: |
60+ |
| I live in the state of: |
California |
| ... in the country of: |
USA |
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| Here's some information about my church or puppetry organisation: |
| My organisation's name is: |
Crosspointe Life Church |
| My organisation's website is at: |
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| Some of My Puppetry Background |
| Q: Why do you write puppet scripts? What motivates you? |
| I have been writing all of my life. I am vitally interested in theater and I do costuming, a little acting, and I write Christian plays. I enjoy working with pre-schoolers and we have a wonderful puppet stage in their room. Puppets are fun and low stress. My friend and I have performed several including puppets that I have made, our own costuming, and dancers in the front of the stage. |
| Q: Tell us about your church or puppet organisation. |
| So far, I'm working with pre-schoolers. In the past I worked with elementary aged children, including them as actors. I'm using prepared lesson plans upon which to base my plays. In the past my friend and I wrote our own plots. I sometimes sing ballads and she quoted her own poetry. We always try to teach something and have often used themes that were relevant to our city. |
| Q: How did you get started in puppets and what attracted you to this area? |
| At Childrens Church we were given prepared scripts for puppets. I also wrote some of my own scripts. I am a writer who has published letters, poems and critiques. I enjoy humor and singing funny little ballads. I sang many to my grandchild and enjoy singing them to others just as much. My friend writes many poems that are children-friendly and we have collaborated in the past. |
| Q: Where does your inspiration come from to write puppet scripts? |
| My friend and I keep each other inspired and motivated. Her talents are in art and poetry and mine are in all aspects of drama. I have performed in the past as a singer and dancer (I wasn't that good but I enjoyed the stage.) God gives me many plots, especially the ones designed to teach Christian principles. |
| Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in puppetry? |
| Put out your best acting foot. Any acting books you can read, or acting classes you can take are useful. Look for puppets in thrift stores, you would be amazed at what you can find. Don't be afraid to sing a little, even if your voice isn't approved by the opera. Include dancers in front of the stage, to add to the artistic atmosphere. We have decorated the stage with artwork. Above all, have fun and your audience will too. |
| Q: Who are your favourite puppet characters and what do you like about them? |
| Punch and Judy, for showing slices of life, for their reality, their knowledge of human nature, and the sense of humor and irony. |
| Q: What are the most important qualities in great puppet scripts? |
| They are little plays, have a theme and stick to it. The characters are as believable as they can be, use the animals for specific purposes, and be prepared. For any type of drama, you need to know what you are doing. |
| Q: What would you do if you were a puppet? |
| I wouldn't bob up and down because people don't walk that way. I would tickle the imaginations of as many children as I could. I would sing with abandon and take a backstage seat if some dancers stole the scene out front. I wouldn't like it if I were thrown in a big pile: I like it if I'm neatly lined up for each performance. |
