Puppeteer entertains children at libraries

Mr. Mahoney, a leprechaun-like marionette who pranced around in a energetic dance, impressed 6-year-old Logan McClanahan so much that he said, "I think I'll make my own."

The marionette, under the control of Ollie DePriest, entertained preschool through elementary school children during a program Tuesday at Jackson Riverside Regional Library.

The puppeteer, who has almost four decades of experience, also captured the attention of children Tuesday at the Perryville, Mo., and Altenburg branches of the Riverside Regional Library, as well as Monday at the Benton, Mo., and Scott City libraries.

Lynn Farrow, Jackson Riverside Regional Library children's librarian, said about 300 people were in attendance at the Perryville performance, including children from Perryville public school's summer school adventure and local day care groups.

Dressed in black to shift full attention to the marionettes, DePriest manipulated Mr. Mahoney and his detachable hands, feet and head to entertain the children.

While Mr. Mahoney may have been Logan's favorite part of the program, his cousin, 5-year-old Addison Houston, liked the girl on the trapeze, Mademoiselle Evie.

Also DePriest's favorite, the sequined trapeze artist was manipulated by strings attached to sticks, allowing the puppet to soar through the air, hang by a toe and then grasp a bar and pull herself up.

Farrow heard about the puppets from Nancy Howland, Riverside Regional Library director, who was a children's librarian at Hannibal, Mo., where DePriest was a regular at the summer reading club.

"He was very popular. Just like here," Howland said.

DePriest took part in the summer reading program two years earlier and was chosen to return again this year.

"He brings the art of storytelling to kids. That's very important in this day and age when children don't always get the chance to see puppet shows. We're delighted to have him. I like recommending him," Howland said.

DePriest Puppets is a professional performing puppet troupe based in Springfield, Ill. The troupe consists of Ollie, his wife, Bridget, and their daughter, Rose, who design and craft puppets for performances to libraries, schools, churches, festivals, corporations and organizations.

There are 350 handcrafted DePriest puppets. Some are modeled in clay, while others are made of wood or plastic foam. The troupe also designs and makes the props and scenery, writes its own scripts and records all its shows.

DePriest, also a marketing and promotional consultant for Puppeteers of America, said, "They are instruments to me. I don't make a puppet unless I've designed it and it has a purpose."

On average, it take six weeks to design and create a DePriest puppet. "I could do it faster but I enjoy the process," he said.

He said marionettes are not being made as often as in the past because it's a difficult process that takes a while.

At the end of the performance, DePriest said, "Puppetry is important. I hope you'll try and make your own puppets. Read stories and make up your own. The library is fun anytime you come."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

Were you there?

Does this affect you?

Have a comment?

Log on to semissourian.com/today