The technical definition of a puppeteer is: a person who manipulates an inanimate object to create the illusion of life.
A puppeteer can operate a puppet either by the use of strings, rods, wires or simply their own hands. Some puppet styles require
puppeteers to work in teams to create a single character.
There are a broad range of styles of puppetry that require puppeteers. There are shadow puppets, rod puppets, Marrionettes,
Table-top puppets, body puppets, Hand or glove puppets, etc. Whatever the style, the puppeteer's role is to use manipulate
the physical object in such a manner that the audience believes the object is imbued with life.
However, in the case of Puppets Praising Christ, and other puppet ministries across the country, and possibly
even around the world, out talent is used for much more than entertaining. Sure, seeing the cartoon like characters talk,
sing, dance, and crack jokes is highly entertaining, but we also use this attention getting strategy to not only have a good
time, but also to spread the word of Jesus. We allow the puppets to take control of the audience as well as ourselves, guiding
us into the world of Jesus Christ.
The art of puppetry may seem uncommon to some, but you see it in a lot more places than you think. Some of the most famous
puppeteers include:
Jim Henson: "The Muppet Show"
Frank Oz: "Sesame Street", Yoda in "Star Wars"
Shari Lewis: "Lambchop's Play-Along"
Fred Rogers: "Mister Rogers Neighborhood"
