Puppet Pizzazz Puppeteers in Sudan
by Greg Ruhe
(edited by Donald Devet)

Greg Ruhe director of Puppet Pizzazz, a Houston and Paris based company, that provides unique special event entertainment and educational puppetry experiences in Houston and world wide, and his French puppet partner Charles Rabhi were artists-in-residence at the Khartoum International and Community School (KICS) for two weeks in February of 2009. While at KICS, Greg and Charles worked primarily with elementary age students.

They performed an assembly show and then conducted follow-up workshops with small groups in their classrooms. The children learned about various styles of shadow puppetry and created their own puppets. The Puppet Pizzazz duo also conducted a more intensive puppetry workshop focusing on endangered sea animals as part of the after school program. Puppetry was also incorporated into French language classes and English literacy classes.

KICS was the best teaching environment these puppeteers have ever experienced. The facility was state of the art perfection, an oasis in the middle of the desert with Sudanese and international students ranging from infants to college age. The students are 50% Sudanese and the other children were from all over the world. Greg was shocked to find no behavior problems.

The teachers were the best from all over the world. Each educator had a fascinating history of working in exotic locales. One of the educational highlights at KICS was conducting a teacher’s workshop on creating puppets made from recycled materials. Over 90 teachers participated. They all went home with a puppet and ideas on how to use the it in their teaching. Greg is now encouraging his teacher friends in Houston to consider International careers.

KICS sponsors many Khartoum places in need. As part of the school’s outreach, Greg and Charles had the privilege of visiting the Jaref home for boys. The Jaref home is considered an orphanage but most of the boys are not true orphans. Many were removed from their families because of abuse. The other boys were found living on the streets. Greg and Charles put on a show while demonstrating many styles of puppets and leading the boys in puppet participation. The experience was extremely rewarding. Puppetry magic was created that day in the Sudan.

Greg and Charles were also invited to perform their giant desert creations and signature life size characters for a party hosted by the director of the school. The party was held on a sumptuous plantation alongside the Nile River. The guests included over 100 friends, family, KICS employees, diplomats, and the French and German ambassadors.

Greg and Charles' most memorable experience was their own outreach. From the balcony of their apartment they watched parents carrying disabled children into the Cheshire House. The Cheshire is a combination hospital/home/school for children who have problems with their legs. After watching parents carry there disabled children to this care facility Greg and Charles were motivated to visit the Cheshire House, first as curious visitors, and then as performers with a Pinocchio puppet.

Greg returned solo to Sudan in October 2009.

His second trip was initiated to buy vintage cloths and costumes for a KICS theatrical production and deliver them. While in Khartoum for 10 days he again shared puppetry with all grade levels. After his first visit to Sudan he was inspired to create a set of table top rod puppets of a Sudanese family, a lion and a crocodile. He brought the puppets with him for this second visit and shared them with all the grade levels in assembly performances. He also worked with the puppets and two brilliant IB year 12 students. After only 5 hours of rehearsal the two students performed a great show for all the junior level students. He also made a return visit to the Jaref home for boys.

Greg and Charles' trip to the Sudan was totally positive. They found the people of Sudan to be warm and friendly and the city full of culture. These puppeteers look forward to more collaboration with the Khartoum International and Community School. They hope for many more opportunities in the Sudan and around the world.