This ministry offers interesting ways to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who know Him as well as to those who may not. There are several ways a person can serve in this ministry from operating the puppets, for which training is provided, to many other equally important service areas.
PROPS:
There is a lot to be done in prop design and production. Some props simply need to be found and adapted to the needed use. Others need to be designed and built. So, prop making entails a lot of different interests and skills. Four areas involved in props are; design, construction, set-up, take down and manipulation.
Design:
Involves the decisions of how best to tell the story with props. It calls for ideas that take shape in drawings, sizing, and color schemes, etc. The acquisition of necessary materials is also part of all this.Construction:
Involves a host of skills. Woodworking, painting, sewing and fabricating are just a few. Prop engineering can be a real challenge when moving parts are involved.Set-up and take down:
This is no less an art than anything else. The moving, storage and set-up are very important to the staging of a show. This is usually done on a very strict schedule requiring brains as well as brawn working together as a unit.Manipulation:
Here we have the actual operating of props during the performance. Timing, movement, and co-ordination of moving parts are required in this area of props.
Musical Ability:
Singing with a puppet or between acts is sometimes used in our performances. Piano, horn or any other musical instrument may also be used from time to time. This adds a lot of interest to the program.
Costumes:
Here we have an area often overlooked when thinking about puppet performances. It is no accident when a puppet character displays the character traits related to the story. Dressing the part is vital to the story coming across. Help is needed in obtaining, storing for ready use, choosing appropriate items, adapting them for the action involved (i.e. puppet choir robes or Bible times costumes sewn or maybe a hat that comes off and perhaps goes on again), dressing the puppet and so on.
Lighting:
Many puppet performances are dependent on good lighting. The proper lighting and the proper handling of lighting plays an important role in successful puppetry. Since we use both white and black light, volunteers are needed who have some degree of skill in proper lighting. Work is now being developed in silhouette projection and the use of powerpoint.
Sound:
Just as with lighting, sound is at the heart of puppetry. We get involved in both recorded and live sound. The equipment needed seems endless and the proper use of sound equipment is really a talent. Both wired and wireless microphones are common in our productions.
Video:
Operators of camcorders have become a big part of our training and practice tools. The puppeteer can only see their skill at work via video. Nothing assists us in polishing a performance like watching our own performance.
Acting:
We are incorporating more stand-up live acting into our performances all the time. There exists a unique audience response to a live person bantering back and forth with a puppet. People find it especially entertaining when someone talks to a puppet. This takes skill and practice to achieve with excellence.
Illusion:
Often there is a need for filler material between acts. Story telling tricks are common to entertain and hold the audience at such times. To be good at these short fill-ins, one must use all sorts of devices to make the best of every precious minute you have to proclaim the truths of God’s Word.
Ventriloquism:
This is a skill used very closely with puppets. Those who attend festivals can receive training in this area. Hand held dummies, as well as puppets, can be effective tools for conveying important messages for the Lord. Puppets are allowed to teach truths and say things that would not be listened to if said by a person.
Promotion:
Behind the scenes of a good team are those who promote the ministry. They write, call, file, order, arrange travel, send cards of thank you, mail materials, arrange for guests, and work out schedules and so on. They are the who, what, where and when facilitators of an effective team. To them planning and arranging are second nature.
Support Team:
Call them fans if you like, but they find ways to help the team that are so important to the morale of the team. These folks are prayer partners for this work. Some plan for snacks for practice sessions, some are at every event giving support to the team by showing their gratitude for the work everyone has done. They also encourage others with a word or a smile. They are also active in fund raising to support the work of the ministry. There are very often dozens of such folks who do not even realize they are part of this work for Jesus.
Well we have covered several of the ways a person can be involved in this ministry. Some are involved for maybe one show while others find a home here in this work. All are used of God and all are welcome.
Holy Hands Puppets reaches beyond the walls of the church to encourage people from all churches to experience the blessing of service while enjoying the uplifting of fellowship via puppets. Some who come our way are not members of a church. We serve the Lord with this ministry by worshiping together, fellowshipping with one another, discipling one another, and reaching out to others with the “Good News” in our productions as well as having an open door for those interested in this ministry.
Please pray for the puppet ministry and let us know if we can serve you or if you wish to have further information.