Theatres: Puppet Theatre
Websites
Puppeteers Of America
Sabathani Community Center
310 E 38Th St Ste 127
Minneapolis, MN 55409-1391
(612) 821-2382
facebook.com/PuppeteersOfAmerica
Contact: Paul Robinson, Executive Director.
Founded in 1937, Puppeteers of America (PofA) supports puppeteers and advances the art of puppetry by presenting knowledge, providing inspiration and promoting preservation. National casting calls for puppeteers posted on Facebook and website.
Puppeteers of Puget Sound
puppeteersofpugetsound.weebly.com
Seattle Area
Northwest Puppet Center/Carter Family Marionettes
9123 15th Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 523-2579
Contact: Dmitri Carter, Director.
Chris and Stephen Carter began performing professionally in 1976 and their children began helping backstage as toddlers. After touring the world as Carter Family Marionettes, Chris and Stephen Carter founded Northwest Puppet Center in 1986. Carter Family Marionettes have been featured performers at Puppet Festivals from Scotland to Uzbekistan. Their work has thrice been awarded “The Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry” by the American Chapter of Union International de la Marionette, a member group of UNESCO. Along with creating and presenting performances, Northwest Puppet Center has become one of the world’s leading resources on the art of puppetry with a massive museum collection and extensive research library.
- The Center presents puppetry performances by the Carters and selected guest artists.
- The Puppetry Research Library has become the largest in the Western Hemisphere with thousands of books, periodicals, posters and other printed materials focused on puppetry and related art forms. The collection includes many rare, foreign language, and antique books.
- The Puppetry Museum operates with a small display space and frequently new exhibits to showcase different artists and traditions. The collections housed by Northwest Puppet Center have grown into a massive preservation effort with thousands of puppets spanning a few centuries and representing cultures from around the globe.
- The Center’s education program includes lectures, demonstrations, workshops, classes, residencies, and master classes.
Thistle Theatre
6344 NE 74th St Suite #103
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 524-3388
Contact: Jean Enticknap, Artistic Director. Using the Bunraku style of puppetry, Thistle Theatre performs in Seattle area schools and communites as well as Bellevue Youth Theater, Magnuson Park Theatre and Sunset Hill Community Club. Thistle Theatre hires and trains Non-Equity actors who sing to be puppeteers. 75 percent of TT productions have music in them. Actors are paid $40-$75 per show plus travel expenses for road trips longer than one hour. Rehearsals and performances are on a part-time schedule with occasional evening work. To audition, email headshot and or call to set up an interveiw.
Zambini Brothers
21508 Tramp Harbor Road
Vashon WA 98070
(206) 940.0821
Contacts: William, Exec. Puppet wrangler.
Fournded in 2000, Zambini Brothers is a troupe of puppeteer/artists who perform their Giant Puppets, Roving Comedy Characters, Puppet and Comedy Shows at fairs, festivals, schools, libraries and events throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Penisula and Islands
Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum
Museum Address:
257 4th Street
Bremerton, WA 98337
Performance Venue:
Olympic College Theater
15th & Ohio St.
Bremerton, WA 98337
facebook.com/Aurora-Valentinetti-Puppet-Museum-376417289039497
Contact: Stanley Hess, Curator.
Evergreen Children’s Theatre began in 1993 with a vision of offering performances; education and classes; and a puppet museum. In 1999, noted puppet collector Aurora Valentinetti contributed a part of her puppet collection to found the Puppet Museum. The museum currently houses over 1000 puppets, stage props, and other materials related to puppetry an allied arts. The museum presents 4 live performances by celebrated puppeteers each season.
Portland
Tears of Joy Theatre
Mailing Address:
1444 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214
Performance Theatres:
Sherwood Center for the Arts
22689 SW Pine Street
Sherwood OR 97410
Comedy Sportz Portland
1963 NW Kearney St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 248-0557 x107
facebook.com/tearsofjoytheatre
Contact: Tim Giugni, Artistic Director.
Founded in 1971, Tears Of Joy Theatre produces 3 to 5 puppetry based productions per season. TOJT has local shows in Portland and Sherwood, Oregon, tours the U.S., and internationally. Seasons run roughly August to June. Internships inquires are always welcome and appreciated. To audition, performers should send a email of inquiry, headshot, and resume. You need only a strong voice and physical acting skills to audition. For building opportunities, a portfolio of puppet theater or video construction is required. We also offer beginning to master puppetry classes for the Actor through meetup.com/Portland-Puppetry-Meetup.
(See Ch. 1 Theatres: Non-Union Professional Theatre, Puppet Theatre)