Looking for a puppet show for your school, your library, or your birthday party? Interested in puppet workshops — puppet-making, writing, performing — for educators, therapists, community centers, summer camps, school or church groups?
Seeking skilled collaborators for a theatre piece? Needing a TV commercial with puppets? A mask for a party? A giant creature for a parade?
We offer this as a service to members and the community. The Guild takes no responsibility for services contracted through this resource, but we think you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Guild members are invited to add themselves to the directory. Click here to add yourself to the list.
Benny & Bebe’s Magic Circus
Benny Bendini
www.MagicCircus.com
info@magiccircus.com
(415) 457-4386
Benny & Bebe’s Magic Circus offer a variety of shows and programs for children, family and adult audiences. Our repertoire includes comedy magic, circus theme, mime & puppet shows for festivals, fairs, theaters, libraries, special events, corporate & private functions and birthday parties.
For K-12 schools Magic Circus offers educational science, multicultural & history learning assembly programs: “The Incredible Magic Hat Show” , “The Amazing Science Whiz Show”.
For preschool audiences see their puppet shows with animal, fairy tale and pirate themes: “Little Rabbit’s Adventures”, “Pirates on Treasure Hunt”.
With our award winning, creative shows we have been enchanting US and European audiences since 1987.
“Bay City Best”, S.F. Chronicle
“Best Bets”, Marin Independent Journal
Winner of Bay Area & Pacific Coast Comedy Stage Magic Contests
Feature Film credits include Dr. Dolittle & The Bicentennial Man
ADULT SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
Steve Chaney, Ventriloquist
Steve Chaney
408-329-2336
Ventriloquism show with several different puppets. Songs, magic, juggling and audience participation all done with puppets and volunteers from the audience. “I laughed so hard I thought my brains fell out.” Jason, 6yrs old, Alameda County fair, CA
Create, Minister, Teach! | Creative ministry for the family
http://cmtministries.org
gabriel@cmtministries.org
Create, Minister, Teach! communicates positive messages in an unforgettable way. We tap into audiences’ curiosity and imagination with an explosion of creative arts. We captivate with dynamic stories filled with laughter, wonder and heart. Visit cmtministries.org to learn more!
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, DESIGN & BUILDING, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Creature Quads
Baron Von Jabba
https://www.facebook.com/BaronVonJabba/
Vonjabba@gmail.com
510-406-2871
The Creature Quads are animated and interactive contraptions you can ride.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , DESIGN & BUILDING, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM, Interactive “walk around” entertainment
Dusty’s Puppets
Dusty Dutton
http://www.dustyspuppets.com
dustyd2@aol.com
415-472-7079
Dusty is a talented and experienced puppeteer. She has Down syndrome, and uses her unique sense of humor to bring her puppets to life. She has formal training in entertainment for young children, and never fails to bring smiles to their faces.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , Shows for younger children & children with disabilities
Images In Motion Inc.
707 996-9474
images@vom.com
Images In Motion is a full service puppet production company, specializing in puppets for TV and film. From preproduction, to shooting (including a fully equipped studio) to final edit, they have an experienced staff able to guide clients through the unique needs of a puppet video. Related services include animation, sculpture, molding and casting, masks, walkarounds, etc.. Images In Motion provides quality puppet shows featuring a variety of beautifully crafted puppets and talented puppeteers. They teach puppetry workshops for conferences, schools and libraries. Credits include Disney, Henson and PBS. Awards include 6 Regional Emmys and 6 National Tellys.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS — FAMILY SHOWS — DESIGN & BUILDING
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES — PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
The Independent Eye
707-824-4307
Sebastopol, CA
A national theatre ensemble now in its 38th season, focused on creating new work and new visions of classics combining puppetry, live actors and other media, usually in collaboration with other theatres, schools and community organizations.
Besides performances for adults, we offer consultations, coaching, workshops, script services and residencies.
ADULT SHOWS — CLASSES & WORKSHOPS — OTHER SERVICES
Little Blue Moon Theatre
littlebluemoontheatre@gmail.com
Little Blue Moon Theatre specializes in Victorian parlor theatre (also called toy theatre or paper theatre), shadow theatre, object theatre, and lots of funny and fun vignettes, with themes of love, sex, adventure and romance.
Theatre small enough to fit into the most intimate venue, be it parlor, dining room, bedroom, or small theatre setting, Little Blue Moon may be just what you have been looking for but never knew it!
— INTIMATE ADULT PERFORMANCES —
Magical Moonshine Theatre
Michael & Valerie Nelson
707-363-4573
PERFORMANCES: Founded in 1979 by Michael & Valerie Nelson, Magical Moonshine Theatre is an award winning, internationally acclaimed touring company that specializes in music, mask and puppet performances for family audiences. Audience size can range from 6 to 1000, depending on the show. Specialties are folktales, bilingual/multicultural shows, and “green” themes.
BUILDING: Giant parade puppets, opera and theatre services, puppets and stages for performances and education.
WORKSHOPS/EDUCATION: Michael & Valerie are currently California Artists in the Schools, teaching drama and puppetry to the state content standards. In 2010 they joined the faculty of the Tenn. Arts Academy, teaching puppetry in the classroom to teachers.
FAMILY PERFORMANCES — DESIGN & BUILDING — EDUCATION
Randal Metz
The Puppet Company & Children’s Fairyland
(510) 569-3144
We specialize in “Fantasies in Miniature.” Having been the Puppet Theater Director for the past twenty years at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland, we know how to bring storybooks and fables to life! Over 40 years of continuous Bay Area performances in libraries, fairs & festivals, amusement parks, zoos, and countless birthday parties. I have been trained by The Muppets, Lewis Mahlmann, Bob Baker and have worked for Disneyland and circuses. Check out our website for other exciting options.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS — FAMILY SHOWS — DESIGN & BUILDING
Primal Visions – the Art of Alexis Rudd
Lex Rudd
http://www.alexisrudd.com
lex@alexisrudd.com
8187249362
Lex Rudd, as seen on Jim Hensons Creature shop Challenge on the SyFy network.
Custom puppets, creature costumes and performance. Specializing in realistic and stylized animals, but all inquiry’s welcome.
DESIGN & BUILDING, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
Puppets Etc
Dennis Rexrode & Christina Schlosser
seeingi@sbcglobal.net
Shows feature hand, mouth, rod and shadow puppets.
ADULT SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SHOWS , DESIGN & BUILDING
Puppet Art Theater Co.
Art Grueneberger
http://PuppetArts.com
PuppetArtCo@gmail.com
9164244736
Puppet Art Theater Co. specializes in performing at venues where there’s a need for quality children’s entertainment including Preschools, Elementary Schools, Libraries, Corporate Events, and Conventions.
We also design, build and tour custom shows for organizations with a need to carry educational messages to school and family audiences. We are currently touring educational assemblies for The California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways and The Sacramento District Dental Society.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, DESIGN & BUILDING, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
ShadowLight Productions
Larry Reed
http://www.shadowlight.org/
info@shadowlight.org
415-648-4461
ShadowLight Productions is a not-for-profit theatre company with a 40 plus year history dedicated to strengthening our community through the power of Shadow Theatre and cross-cultural storytelling. Founded in 1972 by theatre artist, filmmaker and shadow master, Larry Reed, to nurture indigenous shadow theatre traditions and to explore and expand the possibilities of shadow theatre medium by creating innovative interdisciplinary, multicultural works. The company’s mission is to expose the general public to shadow theatre and other art forms. The means of providing such exposure includes but are not limited to live performances, educational programming, film and other media.
Reed is one of the few Americans to be trained in wayang kulit, Balinese shadow theatre and has performed in this tradition around the world over the last 40 years. Honoring the traditional form of shadow theatre while innovating through the use of contemporary methods and interdisciplinary approaches, ShadowLight fills a distinctively unique role in California and American Theatre scenes.
ADULT SHOWS, FAMILY SHOWS, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Tinker’s Coin Productions
Olivia and Talib Huff
www.members.dcn.org/tahuff
ohuff@dcn.org
916-484-0606
The Garden Show
The Garden Show depicts the story of two gardeners who, through misunderstandings, inclement weather, and shared adversity come to know each other better. The show is presented with hand puppets, live music, and sound effects, but without words.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
One man silly ten minute weird comedy musicals for nerds!
Zeb L. West
elephantandpeanut.com
zebediah.west@gmail.com
5127655661
Zeb L. West is a writer, performer and comic puppeteer living in Berkeley, CA. He has a variety of mostly silly ten-minute, low-tech puppet musicals performed out of a small box. These fantasy and scifi nerdgasm shows are solo comedy nuggets that fit perfectly into cabaret, burlesque or other performance happenings where people want a deep laughs and big heart. Videos available on the website.
ADULT SHOWS, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM