We have an entire show with 19 Bunraku style puppets for Peer Gynt.  Also stage, scenery, props, narration and teaching curriculum.  Puppets are large, about 34 inches with some of the animals larger.  We posted a message on bulletin board at Puppeteers of America website but besides that we don't know how to go about selling this show.  We have an asking price in mind but don't know whether it is in the ballpark or not.  Any recommendations, such as websites, newsletters, etc of how to go about selling entire shows, (we actually have several others) would be appreciated.   Thanks,

Bettyspuppets

I don't know much about this, but I suggest doing two things: contacting schools themselves, and performing at your local library. I'm sure the others will have more suggestions, I've never actually performed for schools before. (I don't know about anyone else, and am probably overstepping the mark slightly, seeing as how I'm not American nor a performer, but I wouldn't bother posting on POA; other puppeteers aren't your target market. I would instead recommend finding your local puppetry guild and finding out how people in your area market themselves)

If I sell this show to someone overseas, say Australia or Europe, what is the best and/or most economical way of shipping it.  The puppets are not heavy, but they are bulky.

Thanks,
Judi

Is there anyway we can some pictures of your puppets. They sound wonderful.

Billy D.

Betty, I'll answer you here instead of at etsy:

Not knowing what size sets you have, it's hard to say. I'm not a performer and haven't shipped anything near that large before myself. I also am not aware whether people ship via Australia Post (our postal service in Oz) or with private companies. I would think the most economical way of bringing your show to Australia is to bring only the necessary items; anything you could rebuild without much trouble, leave behind and then create again when you arrive here. You can always find places to buy timber, nails, etc. Of course, it also entirely depends on your storage; if everything can be packed up as small and tight as possible, into roadcases or something, then that makes things easier.

I will also add that Australia is a large place, so if you're planning on going to more than one town/city, you have to account for that as well. If you're planning on driving to and from cities, that changes how much you have to pay, as compared to training or flying. (For example: Sydney on the Eastern side is 8 hours flight from Perth on the Western side... but driving would take you ages!)

I can't really offer anything more than that, but I recommend you find some American puppeteers who travel to Australia regularly, and ask them how they go about it. Additionally, I would then contact UNIMA Australia, and ask them to pass on your query to the members. Many, if not most, tour their shows nationally and internationally, and would have a good idea of how best to get around/get into Australia.

Last word of warning: Australian customs are *very* cautious about any wood products being brought into the country (pests can quickly damage our isolated environment). This means you have to declare everything wooden (usually this just means a quick check once you arrive in Australia), but it CAN result in your items being quarantined. I know that this has happened to some puppeteers before, so it's also a good idea to read up on all of that too.

Thanks a lot for the info

No worries; hope it helps