'I get to inspire joy.’ Newburgh puppeteer offers screen alternative for kids with old-school fun
Dov Manley’s studio is called Up In Arms. He performs for children at schools, libraries, playhouses and other venues throughout the tri-state area.
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An afternoon visit with professional puppeteer Dov Manley at his home studio in the Town of Newburgh is a lively experience that includes a lot of fur.
News 12 caught up with Manley on Thursday, rehearsing with two of his furry puppet characters, “Waffle” and “Sports Monster.” He uses kid-friendly voices to bring life to his sidekicks and plays music while practicing for one of his plays.
He says it’s tough competing with screens for kids’ attention these days, but he keeps busy doing just that.
“It really flexes all your creative bones, I suppose. Singing, acting, creating; being able to bring something to life that wasn’t there before. It’s just an all-encompassing art,” says Manley.
Manley’s studio is called Up In Arms. He performs for children at schools, libraries, playhouses and other venues throughout the tri-state area.
Manley is now 55 years old, but his passion for puppets started when he was 7.
“It just spoke to me. I was a huge Muppet fan as a kid,” says Manley.
Nowadays, Manley spends a lot of time getting ready for shows.
“We’re performing for so many socioeconomic backgrounds,” Manley says with a smile. “I get to inspire joy, which is important for everybody.”
According to the World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts, there are an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 professional puppeteers in North America. Manley doesn’t know how many of his colleagues are in the Hudson Valley but says he’s among a small few.
News 12 joined Manley in early April for one of his shows at the Newburgh Library that drew several dozen children and families.
“Most of their entertainment is distilled through video games, and entertainment and online,” says Manley. “Puppetry is just one of those original art forms that gathers communities for a communal experience.”
Manley says he’s proof that there’s still a place for puppets in the hearts of kids and kids at heart.
Saturday is National Puppetry Day.
