Do you get flustered right before a show like days before.  Do you get the feeling that you want to quit or delay a show because you just don't feel ready?  I'm talking about when you are creating a new show.  I don't know what it is with me but I get this way days before every new show.  I just get in this creative FUNK.  I don't want to do anything but stare at my stage.  I feel like I have wasted the past three days when I should have been practicing for my upcoming show which is Monday.  I even went for a massage to clear my mind but that just made me tired and I slept the rest of the day....argh!

I guess I just want to know if I am alone on this or if other puppeteers feel this way, too.  I know the show must go on.  I just need motivation.  I thought I was almost done with everything but the more I kept working with the show, the more I started to change things.  I think I need to take the advice of K.I.S.S. which is KEEP IT SIMPLE SILLY.  I have to keep chanting that.

Do you ever get this way?  Thanks for listening.

xoxo,
N

all the time ....it's like the last few details are hard to finish up...

I gave a short lecture on puppetry to my speech class, first of all, THAT isnt an easy subject to get across to college kids. When the speech ended, I brought out nicky to demonstrate real puppetry and answer questions in charachter. My head was spinning from the stress of messing up. But I rehearsed all day for the last two days before the speech and it turned out great. People dont think im wierd, they actually give me advice on where to use my talent. I would gather some close friends of yours and do the whole show for them, then ask them what they think needs improvement. good luck

I certainly can relate to your quandary!  I have been there SO many times!  What I found that has helped me is that I have a local preschool that lets me come in and do practice shows for them.  They don't pay me but instead provide a willing audience that helps me know what works and what doesn't and the teachers help me by telling me what they really liked and what was unclear etc.  I feel more motivated and this type of practice is MUCH more fun!! I often get a "panic attack" which says "Why in the world are you doing this - you will never pull it off! Just go back to your teaching job. You should not have retired from something you know to pursue something like this!  ARE YOU CRAZY!!"  Then I have to remind myself that YES I AM CRAZY and that is why I do this because it is so much fun once I get there and the kids LOVE it and I am having a BLAST!!
YOU GO GIRL!!!  Let us know how it goes!  I am SO excited to see video of it!

Thank you all for your words of support.  Glad to know that I am not alone on this.  It doesn't help that I am so nit picky.  I have to keep telling myself that this is for children.  I'm lucky that I have a son this age.  He is great with telling me what looks good or not.  I couldn't sleep last night because I was worrying about how to create the butterfly for the story I am working on.  I stayed up most of the night to work on it and when my son woke up this morning, the look of awe on his face was worth no sleep.  He is so excited to see the whole show done on Monday.  I don't like to do the whole show for him because I want him to enjoy it with his friends on the day, too.  I still have a few surprises up my sleeve for him.  Yes, I will post a video of the show.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

xoxo,
N

Remember.....the audience wants you to succeed so they are on your side from the beginning....and being nervous is helping you with
putting 100% of your senses to focus on what you are doing.  This is all positive ways to look at those fears.

All the best with your performance.

Daryl H

AWESOME advice as usual Daryl.  Thank you!  My show went well and I will post the video of the show when I return from my week long trip to Hong Kong.  I'll check in periodically.

xoxo,
N

Glad your show went well!  Can't wait to see the video!