Some people discover their talent through sports. Others find enjoyment in playing a musical instrument. Morning Crowell of Atlanta, Georgia found her niche in the exciting world of puppetry. For five years, she has been performing and ministering with puppetry, from participating in her church’s puppetry team to competing in the “Lip Sync Challenge” at the One Way Street Regional Puppetry Festival in Alpharetta, Georgia. At the age of ten, she enjoyed “watching [her] mom and brother on [their] puppet team at church” and wanted to try it out for herself. At first, she faced disappointment in her attempt to join the puppetry team. 

“The director said I was too young to do puppets,” Morning said, “even though I was better than most of the kids on the team.” Despite being rejected, Morning continued to watch her mother and brother at church and waited until she was given a chance to join the team. “I had to wait two years before [the director] let me on and even then she didn’t give me a part until I was thirteen.”

At last, Morning’s patience paid off and she was given a chance to participate on the team. She fell in love with the puppets instantly. She has two favorite puppets in particular, on named Winston and the other named Spike. “Winton [is] my brother’s,” Morning said. “[He] is a normal-looking puppet with red fuzzy hair. We dressed him up to look emo this year for the Regional Festival. Spike (mine) is a green rocker dude.”

In 2001, Morning had the chance to travel to Romania with her church, Westside Baptist, and minister through puppetry. She was able to perform nine puppet shows. “I didn’t really do that much…besides make balloon animals and [sing] puppet songs,” Morning commented. “I didn’t get to go and hangout with the kids because I was only eleven at the time, but it was fun anyway.”

Morning had the opportunity to show off her skill with puppets at the One Way Street Regional Puppetry Festival in Alpharetta, Georgia by joining the “Lip Sync Challenge.” In this competition, the puppeteers are required to make their puppets sing and react to various songs. The twist is that the puppeteers have never heard the songs before.  “You are known as a number and called on as such,” Morning explained. “They eliminate by number and the judges do not know who you are until after the competition is over.” Morning was able to make it through five difficult elimination rounds and earned second place. “It’s a lot of fun competing with a bunch of crazy people backstage,” Morning said, “because you’re…trying not to start cracking up over something one of them did.” She plans to return and compete in the I-Fest next year.

When asked if puppetry has changed her life significantly, Morning responded, “Maybe. I'm not exactly sure. It’s definitely made me crazier.” And what about any plans for the future involving puppetry?  “I never really thought about it before,” Morning said, “but I'm not going to quit anytime soon.

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