The Creativity Institute’s first puppet-and-script set was an adaptation of four Aesop’s Fables. Because of positive feedback from customers about the Aesop’s Fables series, The Creativity Institute developed two new sets of scripts of original ideas written in a similar style. Entitled “Gwynn’s Fables,” for the author and Creativity Institute founder Gwynn Torres, the scripts in these series communicate values such as sharing, imagination, cooperation and honesty.
“All of our original scripts and adaptations are written with young performers in mind,” explains Torres. “These are child-friendly stories with comical interchanges and absolutely no violence.” “No one gets eaten,” she adds with a laugh.
The scripts have "acting" parts for two to four puppets, though some require the voice of an additional off-stage narrator. Depending on ability, some children may be able to perform more than one role in the same show. And the puppet-and-script packages use animal puppets in all of the roles, so they transcend cultural and gender lines.
In the script package called “Gwynn’s Fables Set 2,” there are four stories, including:
"First Things First (Don't Procrastinate)," which demonstrates the disadvantages of putting things off. Although the other animals keep encouraging their friend, the monkey, to join them in building sleds, the monkey chooses to put it off and isn't ready when the snow falls.
"Fair Offers (Cooperation)" illustrates the value of working together. The animals want to go to a fair in a neighboring town, but can't get there in time unless they all pitch in using their individual capabilities. (The set includes both a two and four-puppet version of this script.)
"Out of the Box (Imagination)" is all about thinking creatively. Four different animals come across an empty box, and each imagines a unique use for it.
"Trading Places (Look Before you Leap)" demonstrates the importance of thinking through a decision. The horse hears about the attractive features of the mouse's house and insists they trade, sight unseen, only to later discover how small it is.
"Gwynn’s Fables Set 3” has four different original scripts, which include:
"No Excuses (You can't succeed if you don't try)" demonstrates the value of not giving up and trying your best. Duck is full of excuses why he's not participating in the art contest until Elephant challenges his excuses and gets him to try.
"What a Pal! (Fair Weather Friends)" shows how the Lion discovers who his real friends are when he needs a favor.
"To Tell the Truth (Honesty)" shows why it's important to tell the truth when Froggie dishonestly takes all the credit for helping out, but has the tables turned on him when Teacher figures it out.
"The Fun of the Game (You Don't Have to Win Everything)" shows how the animals respect Lion much more when he learns he doesn't have to win every game.
The “Aesop's Fables” puppet script set includes Creativity Institute adaptations of four well-known fables: “The Mouse and the Lion,” “The Hare and the Tortoise,” “The Fox and the Grapes” and “The Fox Who Had Lost His Tail.”
A fourth original puppet-and-script set by The Creativity Institute is the puppet stage adaptation of the traditional folk-song "Old MacDonald.” This is a puppet show that's great fun for any number of children to perform and perfect for audience participation. The script uses the supplied eight-puppet cast, but if you have additional puppets, you can use whatever mix of song verses and puppets you choose. Children can even double up on parts, which usually produces hysterical results.
The Creativity Institute also offers most of the script sets separately for customers who already have puppets. All of the scripts can be easily adapted to any assortment of puppet characters. Plus, customers don’t have to wait to receive their scripts. When an order for scripts is placed on The Creativity Institute website, the customer receives PDF versions of the scripts within a couple of hours, often immediately. The Creativity Institute even offers a free downloadable, ready-to-print sample of one of their scripts on their website’s page of puppet show ideas at http://www.creativityinstitute.com/puppettheaterscriptideas.aspx.
All sets of Creativity Institute puppet show scripts come with their own stage directions guide for producing more professional and enjoyable puppet shows. These include tips on how to simulate walking and how to coordinate the movement of puppet mouths (almost everybody does it backwards, closing the puppet's mouth with each syllable rather than opening it.)
The Creativity Institute encourages visitors to the site to explore the practically limitless puppet shows that can be performed with just a few puppets and a little imagination. Ideas can come from favorite stories, real experiences, dramatization of lessons, and even movies and TV shows. The Creativity Institute website provides links to sources for hundreds of these scripts, along with lots of ideas and resources for finding material to develop new shows.
The hand puppets offered by The Creativity Institute in their packages are manufactured by PlushPups, maker of quality hand puppets for children. All are machine washable and made of durable fabrics. And for the ideal "venue" for presenting memorable performances, they also have a selection of http://www.creativityinstitute.com/puppettheatersandpuppetstages.aspx manufactured by Guidecraft, Beka, Maxim, Alex, TAG Toys, Wood Designs and Kid's Adventure.
Puppet shows provide endless opportunities for children to find expression through acting out stories, and the only limits are their imaginations. For more information, visit The Creativity Institute website at http://www.creativityinstitute.com, or give them a call toll-free at 888-814-TOYS (8697).
Chief Imagination Officer
1 comment:
I love these sets that have the scripts that match the puppets. My children have been given puppets several times and enjoy manipulating them, but don't know what to do with them after that. As a den mother, I've gotten my Cubs involved too. Thanks.
Post a Comment