The Heart of Theater

The young child is a being of imitation. Whatever lives around them enters into their whole being.  —study from The Education of the Child

​When we place a puppet into a child's hands, something magical happens. It becomes vessel of imagination as the child lends it movement and voice. Through play, the child begins to imitate life as they see it and feel it. In this way, the child is rehearsing life itself in their own symbolic form.

​As the child works with the puppet they begin to mirror the gestures of those around them. They may even imitate the "life of objects." For example: a long stick may become a horse or a cloth may become a cloak. The world becomes a story unfolding, allowing the child to step into roles—from courage to tenderness.

​In the classroom, this recognition gives birth to unique traditions such as: shadow shows and marionette theater. These offerings were never intended to be polished entertainment or even meaningless fantasy, but a real human experience—nourishment—speaking deeply to the child's soul. In these simple acts, children find moral pictures that are lived—rather than explained.

Steiner insist that children resonate more with the living moment—rather than getting caught up in the pre-planned details of the presentation. So, rest assured that a simple bow of the head, a gentle lifting of the hand, or a slow step across the stage carries more meaning than rigid unachievable details ever could.

Perhaps this is the true gift of the puppeteer: the living presence it brings. This sort of puppetry leaves space for imagination to breathe. And in that breathing space, a meaningful lesson takes place and the soul is nourished.

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AND

Enjoy a classical puppet show presented by WAPASA.

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Read from other blog post below.

The Path to Freedom

The Body Given & the Soul Grown

The Bridge Between Worlds