Description

Description of Program

A Family Album, combines elements of costuming, storytelling, puppetry, and clowning to tell a hilariously playful, yet poignant tale about growing up. The life sized soft sculptures worn by Susanmarie and student volunteers comically address issues that are common and heartfelt to elementary and middle school students. The life skills woven into the presentation include - learning to be a good friend, tempering romance with wisdom, the importance of self reliance, and using your own uniqueness to build self esteem. 

A feast for the eyes, the mind, and the soul!

Objectives of Program

• To have students increase their understanding of human relationships.
• To develop confidence and pride in their own individual talents.
• To see how everyday topics can be approached in a creative way.
• To learn about soft sculpture as an art form.

Content of Program

The stage is set with draped figures on stands. Susanmarie as a mother and baby greets the students. The baby is thrilled to be at school and shows off her new school clothes - dress, hat, and good panties. The baby defines soft sculpture and puts the baby portion on a student. Students wear the next two sculptures. One is a best friend who knows when to open her mouth and when to keep it closed; the other one is a father who is very strict about TV, but spends time reading to his kids. Susanmarie shows a very silly boyfriend and discusses the qualities that are important and those that are not in choosing friends.

A wedding dress, titled I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, reflects on her decision to learn to take care of herself and to learn to like herself before she got married

Before showing the last piece, Susanmarie relates how she grew up feeling like a dummy because she wasn't very smart in school. By working hard at the talents she did have; sewing, caring about people, and being silly, she developed her career and she learned to be very happy and proud of herself.

Students are encouraged to identify and list their own talents and areas of interest. If they have a hard time identifying their talents, they should ask their friends, teachers and parents.

Susanmarie, dressed as an old woman with a poodle, ends the program by telling students to not spend a lot of time feeling bad about all the things that they aren't good at doing, but rather work hard at the talents they do have so that they will grow up to be happy and proud of themselves.