Marionettes Illuminate the Artistry of Puppetry for Local Students

On Feb. 20, something magical was taking place in the auditorium at Seth Boyden Demonstration School in Maplewood.

Joseph Cashore was performing the scenes he had written and directed with the marionettes he had handcrafted. A horse played with a dragonfly. A mother comforted a baby. A monk fought distractions to meditation. Throughout it all, the children — and adults — in the auditorium were enraptured and delighted.

Cashore and his marionettes were brought to the school through the PTA and the efforts of Mary Trinity of the Cultural Arts Committee.

Fourth graders Grace Barry and Jenna Hayes had the opportunity to interview Cashore after the performance. Read their Q&A below.

By Grace Barry and Jenna Hayes

The Cashore Marionettes came to Seth Boyden Wednesday, February 20, for a school assembly. The Cashore Marionettes were created by Joseph and Wilma Cashore. There were animal puppets and people puppets included in the show. The kids and the adults in the audience were laughing and crying at the performance.

Students had many things to say about the performance:

Justus, a 4th grader, said the monk puppet was his favorite. He also thought the horse looked the most real.

Devin, another 4th grader, also thought that the monk was the funniest. She thought the mommy and the baby seemed the most real.

INTERVIEW WITH JOE CASHORE

Q:  Which puppet was the hardest?

A: The boy with the kite or the horse.

Q: What did you study in school?

A: Fine arts. I wanted to be a painter. But then because people told me I was good with puppets I became what I am now.

Q: Did you make all your puppets?

A:  Yes.

Q: What are they made of?

A: They are made out of paper mache, feathers, wood, cloth and other materials. They should be as light as possible.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration for your puppets and stories?

A: They are ideas from things in my life. I write my ideas in a little notebook I keep with me.

Q How long have you been making puppets?

A: 50 years.

Q: When did you start making puppets?

A: When I was ten or eleven.