'Feel the Power of the Puppet Stage'

By Tiffany Eddy

As the lights dim, a young girl dressed as the Cat in the Hat tears the last ticket. Fifty or so children wiggle on mats at the front of the stage, still hyped up from yesterday’s Halloween candy. A self-proclaimed “glamour witch” dressed in purple and sparkles runs through the maze of hands, legs and feet to say one last thing to her mom. The show begins with the agitated grumbles of Willard, the disgruntled puppet, and children’s hysterical laughter.

Willard, the children learn, is on a quest for power. He considers resigning from his position of stage manager because he feels it is too much work and not enough appreciation. He is encouraged to sleep on it by his boss, puppeteer Bob Aiken.

Upon waking, Willard goes through a series of earthly transformations in an attempt to gain the power he is looking for. He first becomes a sun and learns to “shine,” changing shape quickly to a cloud when he witnesses its ability to block the sun. Willard learns that to be a cloud, one must think “humid thoughts” such as “condensation” and “water vapor.” He then transforms into wind, as it can easily blow the cloud away. In this form, Willard feels he has finally obtained power, until he slams against the unmoveable puppet stage – the source of his true power.

With this realization, Willard shouts, "Let me feel the power of the puppet stage!"

This original production, Imagine That!, along with many other small productions featured in the First Saturdays series, would not be possible in the Springs area if Jim and Brigitta Jackson did not “feel the power of the stage.”

The Jacksons, both Manitou residents and experienced performers, developed the First Saturdays program. Hoping to carry on their dream of performing arts after settling down, they decided to put their experience and talent to work locally. The Jacksons found what they were looking for through the Business of Art Center (BAC).

Located at 515 Manitou Avenue, the BAC renovated a historical building with performing arts in mind. The BAC, as a “business incubator,” provides locations for art to thrive and assists developing non-profit organizations through fiscal sponsorship.

Brigitta Jackson describes the BAC’s incubator program in bird-like metaphors: “They have really taken us under their wing,” she says, adding that Manitou Springs is a perfect place for their creative pursuit. “You know how Manitou is…the entire thing is really serendipitous.”

She cradles her sleeping baby and chats in the back of the performance space with another, more frantic mother as the puppet show comes to an end. Master Puppeteer, Aiken promises that he will soon bring out his very large dog Bruiser. Sure enough, Bruiser appears only moments later and shows off his tricks.

The children insist that Bruiser is real, despite his abnormal size and multi-colored, shaggy, fabric “fur.” They scratch his belly and hug his gigantic head. One three-year-old, so impressed by the dog, is at a complete loss for words: “That dog is, is, is… is REALLY!”

Jim Jackson, who has been performing in Euro-Circuses, other tour-circuses and theaters for the last 25 years, walks the spacious hallway of “Venue 515” after the show making jokes with kids and giving trophies for Halloween costumes still on from the day before.

“You get a trophy for being yourself today,” he says to a young girl out of costume.

A small gathering of parents and children witness a clown illuminate a light bulb with his painted lips. Toddlers and young children shriek excitedly at free books, milk and cookies, and a puppet-making craft class after the show.

The Manitou Art Theater’s claim that “you’ll avoid expensive treats and merchandising campaigns aimed at your kids” is bolstered by its unique and artistic array of entertainment and interaction for children.

“Jim and Brigitta really understand what kids want,” says Christie Sheffer, a mother and full-time student at Colorado College. “Any time you can do live, interactive things with your kids, it is so much better.”

Imagine That! is the second of eight professional and original performances, designed not only for kids, but also for “the kid in all of us.” The production is the work of award-winning puppeteers Bob and Kerry Aiken, who call themselves Four Hands in a Cloud of Dust.

The next MAT performance for children, "LA Tormenta" A Storm of Latin Music,” will take place on Saturday, December 6th.

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