The Puppet Remedy
“You can say stuff to a puppet that you wouldn’t say to anyone else.” Continue reading The Puppet Remedy
Category: Puppetry
Do It Anyway
It was show time at PotPourri, an opportunity for anyone with the desire or need to perform. Continue reading Do It Anyway
Who’s in Control Here?
An essay delivered May 17, 2021 to the Chicago Literary Club, a venerable institution founded in the late 19th century. My Life in Puppetry: ©2021 Susan Bass Marcus Where Did It All Start? Have you ever invented a caption for … Continue reading Who’s in Control Here?
“Art is a wound turned into light.” ~ Georges Braque
Angela leaned into Orange Julius and whispered a string of secrets to him. Continue reading “Art is a wound turned into light.” ~ Georges Braque
The Sixth Sense of a Story
As a puppeteer I’d been telling stories to young audiences at private parties, schools, and other venues for many years, but performing as an entertainer was wearing on me. I wanted to stretch myself, create work that would appeal to … Continue reading The Sixth Sense of a Story
“I Know How You Did That!”
From a series of essays on my life in puppetry Puppetry is an art form and I wanted to perfect it. I knew I would never perform in public unless I trained with a professional. I found Hans Schmidt who … Continue reading “I Know How You Did That!”
A Bizarre Birthday Bash
“Hello, Susan Marcus? “Yes, who’s calling, please?” “This is Karen Smith. [name changed to protect myself!] You’re the puppet lady?” “(Clears throat) Yes, I am a puppeteer.” “And you do birthday parties?” “All the time, but I’m booked up for … Continue reading A Bizarre Birthday Bash
She Becomes a Puppeteer
My career in puppetry had its roots in a childhood fascination with puppet shows and their characters, stages, props, and sets. Long before the 1969 premier of Sesame Street, Chicago-area children like me could watch a bevy of puppets on … Continue reading She Becomes a Puppeteer
Pleased as Punch
Passersby gathered near the arguing pair of men. With his sharp chin, one man in a silly, high-pitched voice taunted a roly-poly policeman then hit him with a flat stick, on top of his head and across his belly. As … Continue reading Pleased as Punch
Susan Bass Marcus Writes 