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.
An Solas Sí | Shadowplay Theatre
Muirén Ní Sídach
solassi.art
fanservice@solassi.art
4156348098
Storytelling, Ancient Lore, Science Fiction, Magic, Illusion, Shadowplay, Shadow Puppetry, Shadow Animation, Motion Capture, Performance Animation, Immersive Telepresence, Remote Collaboration
ADULT SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
Benny & Bebe’s Magic Circus
Benny Bendini
MagicCircus.com
info@magiccircus.com
(415) 457-4386
Benny & Bebe’s Magic Circus offers virtual online and in person shows and programs for children and family audiences. Our repertoire includes magic, mime, comedy/clown & puppet shows for schools, festivals, theaters, libraries, corporate special events and birthday parties.
School assembly programs (K-12) with educational science STEM, multicultural, history and performing arts learning: “The Incredible Magic Hat Show” , “The Amazing Science Whiz Show”.
For young children (PK -2) puppet shows with animal and pirate themes:
“Little Rabbit’s Adventures”, “Pirates on Treasure Hunt”.
Our award winning, creative shows have enchanted US and European audiences since 1987.
“Bay City Best”, S.F. Chronicle
“Best Bets”, Marin Independent Journal
Winner of Northern California & 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
Charlemagne Press
Luman Coad
www.charlemagnepress.com
coadpuppet@telus.net
604-883-0445
Books on advance level puppetry, mime, mask, Commedia dell’arte.
Books
Chase Woolner • Puppeteer
Chase Woolner
www.ChaseWoolner.com
ChaseWoolner@gmail.com
7345163087
SAG/AFTRA Puppeteer – Puppetry workshops and classes for all ages.
DESIGN & BUILDING, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
Create, Minister, Teach! | Creative ministry for the family
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
DLUX Puppets
Derek Lux
http://www.dluxpuppets.com
dluxpuppets@gmail.com
Full service puppet production company in Las Vegas, Nevada. Theatrical shows, custom puppets, digital content creation, live event services, workshops and puppeteers.
ADULT SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, DESIGN & BUILDING, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
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
Fearless Puppetry
Greg Hayes
fearlesspuppetry.com
fearlesspuppetry@gmail.com
619-554-2459
No puppet is too big! Bring wearable creatures and giants to life for film, stage, television, theme parks & events with cheerful and tireless performer, designer, builder, wrangler, repair-er, teacher, producer & promoter. What are your puppetry and creature needs? Call for a free consultation!
DESIGN & BUILDING, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM, Consultant
Filmmaking for Puppetry
Alex U. Griffin
www.alexugriffin.com
alex.u.griffin@gmail.com
7142620342
Alex U. Griffin is a filmmaking and puppetry multi-hyphenate based in the Los Angeles area, with services worldwide. He has worked on a wide range of projects from branded content and digital media to short and feature films, often featuring puppetry. As a puppeteer, filmmaker (with an emphasis on cinematography and editing), and Producer for the 48hr Puppet Film Project as well as Heather Henson’s Handmade Puppet Dreams film series, Alex is in a unique position with his understanding of cinematic puppetry, and how to best bring it to life.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
Hanford Multicultural Theater Company
Silvia Gonzalez Scherer
http://www.HanfordMTC.com
info@HanfordMTC.com
559-997-3838
‘Theater for all people’
ADULT SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
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, 3D modeling & printing, design & illustration, prototyping, sculpture, molding, casting, masks, walkarounds, etc.. Images In Motion sometimes provides quality puppet shows. They teach puppetry workshops for conferences, schools, libraries and universities. 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
Joel Schechter, Puppetry
Joel Schechter
jschech@sfsu.edu
Perform political satire with handpuppets. Street theatre and protest puppets for special occasions: elections, peace marches, impeachment trials
ADULT SHOWS
Josh Herman Magic Circus
Josh Herman
http://www.joshhermanmagiccircus.com
Joshhermanmagiccircus@gmail.com
9732464762
Shows for children of all ages. Puppets, ventriloquism, magic, music, clowning, and circus arts.
ADULT SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS
Kennedy Puppets
Ilene
hope922000@yahoo.com
7077313232
ADULT SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, DESIGN & BUILDING, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
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 Money Adventures
Monica Moura and Jennifer Kruss
www.youtube.com/channel/UCJaJb-8K4uirKAwwFfjExAQ
magicalmoneyadventures@gmail.com
7077990398
Our puppet show is focus around Money and Financial Education. We are currently working on editing videos to 3 episodes we filmed during the pandemic and each has an original song written by us. They will be posted on You Tube by this summer. We are also working on getting new characters up and running. Right now we are a 2 person operation with 1 mermaid puppet and 1 dragon puppet.
ADULT SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, Birthday Party appearances
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
Nao Puppet
Nao Kobayashi
www.naopuppet.com
619-917-9582
NaoPuppet works in puppet and costume design&construction for theatre, entertainment, education and more. Originally from Japan, she adopts her martial art and butoh background for puppetry movement.
ADULT SHOWS, DESIGN & BUILDING
Pearl & Jerry’s Puppets
Pearl Kruss
bluepearl171717@gmail.com
650 996-7892
Living Puppets now available in the USA.
Jerry and I are excited to introduce this well known European company to the West Coast. Used in homes, schools, kindergartens, Living Puppets become alive with the human touch.
It was love at first sight when Jerry and I first saw the Living Puppets fall 2015 in Germany. So much so that we had to buy several and play with them. Jerry is an entertainer who thrives on putting a smile on everyone’s face. I come from a background of education and art. I was thrilled by the opportunities these puppets bring with them.
We decided to share our enthusiasm. Living Puppets are full of personality. In addition to playing with them, we like the idea that your hand becomes the puppets hand. You can pick up things, clap, wave and you can also do sign language.
Dealer – Living Puppets
Puppet Art Theater Co.
Art Grueneberger
puppetarts.com/
puppetartssacramento@gmail.com
9164244736
Puppet Art Theater Co. specializes in performing shows where there’s a need for quality children’s entertainment including Preschools, Elementary Schools, Libraries, Corporate Events, and Conventions.
We can stream from our studio to many online platforms. We can also host private performances via webinar software.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, DESIGN & BUILDING, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, 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
Puppentheater GRIMMbim
Herbert Lange
lange.herbert@gmx.net
Doing puppets in speech-language pathology plus occasionally in children’s shows.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS
Quack and Wabbit Puppet Theatre
Yumi Ozaki
http://www.quackandwabbit.com
quackandwabbit@hotmail.com
707-834-2037
We are Tanya Crowley and Yumi Ozaki, program directors and performers for the northern California puppetry troupe, Quack and Wabbit Puppet Theatre. Occupational therapists by trade, we co-founded Quack & Wabbit Puppet Theatre because of our love of puppetry and because we discovered the effectiveness of puppetry for teaching children. Our purpose is to promote a positive difference in the lives of children by teaching valuable life skills through the art of puppetry. We use our beautifully hand crafted puppets, music, magic, and tender-hearted stories to bring our productions to life. Our hope is that we will begin to make a difference in children’s lives by working together with teachers and students to create a safe, peaceful and compassionate climate in the schools and our community.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS
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
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
Ricky Roo & Friends Puppet Shows for every children’s event!
Chris Rachowicz
http://www.rickyrooandfriends.com
rickyrooandfriends@gmail.com
5103266735
It’s Puppet Show Time! Welcome to Ricky Roo & Friends Puppet Shows – A Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winning Entertainment – Amazing Funny & Engaging Puppet Show for all kinds of children events! With age-appropriate jokes, funny colorful characters, and an amazing self-built puppet theater stage, this is the right choice for your event! We are covering the Bay Area and beyond! We do puppet shows like no one else. Silly jokes, tons of puppets & a lot of fun!
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, 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
Steve Chaney, Ventriloquist
Steve Chaney
http://www.cornycrow.com
steve.chaney@comcast.net
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
FAMILY SHOWS
Stinky Tales
Doug Zesiger
http://www.stinkytales.com
stinkytales@gmail.com
415-847-4792
Stinky Tales: a show for 3 to 10 year olds. We help kids navigate the many social challenges they face, bringing fun, music and puppet hilarity. To book a live show for your school, venue or private event, email us at stinkytales@gmail.com.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
Tinker’s Coin Productions
Olivia and Talib Huff
www.members.dcn.org/tahuff
ohuff@dcn.org
916-484-0606
Tinker’s Coin Productions, Talib and Olivia Huff, offers entertainment (shows, characters, workshops) for children of all ages (even adults who have childlike wonder)..
One of our shows is “The Garden Show or It Happened One Summer’s Day.” It tells the story of two gardeners who, through a series of misunderstandings, nearly come to blows but in the end join together to solve a common problem. It is told through movement and sound effects and therefore is appropriate for non-English speakers. Audience: 4 yrs and above
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Tiny House Theater
Madrone Dardenne
http://tinyhousetheater.com
tinyhousetheater@gmail.com
8315358838
Tiny House Theater offers gentle, nature-inspired folk stories and animal tales brought to life with beautifully handcrafted puppets and stage sets in schools, classes, performances geared toward families with young children and at private event bookings.
Tiny House Theater is devoted to modeling and cultivating the power of the human imagination toward creating a world that protects and nurtures the welfare of all life through the inclusive and uplifting experience of puppetry and storytelling arts.
CHILDREN’S SHOWS , FAMILY SHOWS, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, private event bookings
Tools of Peace Puppets
Elyse Jacobs
http://www.toolsofpeace.com
elyse.jacobs@gmail.com
4153780410
I developed a program of conflict resolution for young children 1n 1986 using puppetry and the expressive arts. Currently housed in 2 San Francisco Preschools.
I work with private clients on developmental issues, developing social and emotional intelligence.
PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM, private clients developing social and emotional intelligence
Twinkie Dee Star Children’s Entertainment
Nina Dees
http://www.TwinkieDeeStar.net
TwinkieDeeStar@aol.com
650-464-6166
pls use prev description
CHILDREN’S SHOWS
Under The Puppet
Grant Baciocco
http://www.underthepuppet.com
grant@throwingtoasters.com
Preserving puppetry through the personal stories of professional puppeteers. Available wherever podcasts are found.
puppeteering podcast
Whorls of Wonder Puppet Theater
Mary Nagler
http://www.whorlsofwonder.com
mary.nagler@gmail.com
7073030093
Our Mission, as a performing arts company, is to introduce our audience to natural forms and forces of nature they might not otherwise be exposed to. We aim to entertain through the thrill of discovery and to inspire action by imparting a growing respect for the earth and its many wonders! Knowledge inspires hope for the future!
FAMILY SHOWS, DESIGN & BUILDING, WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, PUPPET SERVICES FOR TV & FILM
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