By Nell Wellborn
Sandra McLean, a well-known puppeteer, and her attorney husband Don are part-time residents of Rockwall. They typically spend the winters here and head back to their beloved small village of Port Austin, Michigan for the summers. A lifelong supporter of libraries, this year McLean is donating a benefit performance of “The Mimi Show.” This is an original play especially for adult audiences, and is termed “Adult Cabaret Comedy” by its creator. Mimi and her French maid Babette are the stars of the show but watch for 10 more characters to appear during the performance.
McLean’s interest in puppets began as a hobby and later turned into a successful second career. She earned her first puppets by mailing box tops to Kelloggs. After eating a lot of Rice Krispies, she finally had all three of the hand puppets and developed individual voices for Snap, Crackle and Pop.
Although McLean followed a different career path, her love of puppets grew and later became a second career. After earning a Bachelor of Music in Woodwind Performance from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, she taught in a public school in New York that the diminutive lady describes as “a jacket gang switch blade middle school.” When she moved to Dallas, she gave private clarinet lessons to Dallas area high school and TWU-Denton students while raising two sons. She also performed with local community orchestras and the Dallas Symphony. In 1981 she earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree from SMU and began work with the Dallas Public Library where she was coordinator of the puppetry program.
McLean’s love of teaching and performing continues. She currently provides workshops for librarians and teachers in the Dallas area and is a featured workshop presenter at regional puppeteers conventions. She is a member of the Puppeteers of America and an officer of the Lone Star Puppet Guild.
When asked where she gets ideas for her characters, she replied that some puppets are custom made to give life to those born in her imagination. Other puppets are gifts from friends and family and many of them come with their own “voice” that demands to be set free. More information about her colorful creations and productions can be found at www.SandDPuppetry.com.
The Mimi Show starts at 7:00 pm on Friday, March 22 in the Community Room of the Rockwall County Library. Admission is $20 and because seating is limited, reservations are suggested. For reservations, e-mail cplagens65@aol.com.or call 972-771-8976.
Submitted by Nell Wellborn
Rockwall Contributor
