Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
‘Puppet Slam’
First of its kind in NWA
The Art Experience in Fayetteville, a nonprofit art therapy organization, hopes they will be starting a new tradition when they host a “Puppet Slam” at 7 p.m. March 24.
The organization is already wellknown for its forays into puppetry — they have been producing the familyfriendly event Puppets in the Park at area parks in Fayetteville for 10 years.
“Puppet Slams are gaining in popularity across the country, but I don’t think we’ve ever had one in Northwest Arkansas,” says the organization’s executive director Susan Hartman. “Last year, at Puppets in the Park, I was thinking about how we could engage more adults in puppetry and someone came up with the idea of starting a puppet slam. It piqued my interest because of my love of story slams. This is an opportunity for professional puppeteers, learning puppeteers, wanna-be puppeteers, closeted puppeteers — anyone interested in puppetry, or anyone interested in telling a story through performance, using puppets — this is a chance for them to convey what’s in their mind or heart, any kind of message, funny or profound.”
Hartman is quick to say that prior experience with puppetry is not required — The Art Experience is hoping to introduce new performers to the art.
“They can use any kind of puppetry,” she says. “Shadow, finger, hand — get a sock, draw a mouth on the sock, come and read poetry!”
Hartman says the event is purposefully scheduled in late March to coincide with World Puppetry Day, and hopes that the event will become a twice-yearly performance. The $10 ticket cost helps support the organization’s Puppets in the Park, although Hartman says she’s hopeful that, eventually, they will be able to pay performers.
“Whether they’re amateur or professional, we believe in paying artists for their talent, skill and craft,” she says.