The World Association of Puppetry and Storytelling Arts (WAPASA) wants to use puppetry to contribute to more peace in the world. An interview with Janene Ping, president of the organization.
Who can benefit from doing and watching puppet theatre?
The art of the puppet has long reflected dimensions of consciousness that live within human society. Whether representing stories of the Gods or foibles of our humanity, puppetry is an art of ensoulment in which our intention and attention bring the inanimate to life. In this way, artists and audiences of all ages can benefit from a relationship with the craft because it is an exploration of incarnation. What worlds shall we create? How do we take up our own destiny? What archetypes live strongly within us? Are we awake to the hidden helpers waiting to be discovered along the way? Can we master gesture and expression to reflect the truth about what lives within? Within inspired puppet theater, there is an open, creative field where creative designers, puppeteers, musicians, storytellers, and audiences meet as each puppet performance unfolds. In freedom, there is the opportunity to work with collaboration in service to the teachings of world wisdom tales.
In what ways can puppetry support peace in the world?
The World Association of Puppetry and Storytelling Arts has consciously taken up advocacy for peace in recognition of how these creative endeavors contribute to the education of our humanity. Essentially, though these mediums also bring entertainment, there is a certain sense of meaninglessness unless the arts also nourish the soul in some kind of inner revelatory way. The 21st century asks that we awaken to the spirit of this. We walk a tightrope of angst between witnessing the tragic realities of war, suffering, and disruption and poignant awareness of our responsibility to work towards the healing of this. In humble but transformative ways, our work strives to nurture capacities for compassion, service, beauty, and truth. We encourage children, families, schools, and cultural centers—worldwide—to celebrate both the universal as well as uniquely diverse, gifts of Peace stories with their communities. The young child, who is free to play from within their own creative impulse, already ensouls the inanimate with life! There are many resources to help an individual of any age to learn the art within the word and puppet.
Where can someone who is interested in puppetry start the craft?
WAPASA hopes to build its world membership in order to earnestly support individuals who are interested in these crafts. WAPASA membership fees are on a sliding scale and support the maintenance of the organization so that free workshops, patterns, articles, educational videos, and news of in-person trainings and conferences can be shared. The next in-person conference hosted by the organization centers on the theme of Puppets for Peace and will be held at the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf community in the Hudson Valley of upstate New York in July 2025.
More Puppetry and Storytelling
“Puppets for Peace” webinar on December 15th with Janene Ping
Translation Charles Cross
Photo World Association of Puppetry and Storytelling Arts
