Puppeteers & Puppet Shows
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Puppet show for 4 year olds birthday
August 2009
I would like to hire someone for a puppet show for my son's 4th year old
birthday party. I checked the archives but recommendations are really
old. I would appreciate if you let me know if you hired someone or
watched someone and can recommend him/her.
Suna
We had a most lovely puppeteer come to our 2 year old's birthday in
July and he entertained all the kids, ranging from 2 to 11. I'm
sure he'd be great for your party. Everyone raved about his act,
Jungle Joe!!! His website is www.californiapuppets.com
I want him at all my parties:-)
Tipster Jina
Entertainer for 3rd birthday in home
Jan 2009
I'm looking for an entertainer for my daughters third birthday
party which we will be having at home with a group of energetic 3-5
year olds. As I also have a 6 month old that needs my attention I
am hoping to find somone who also leads the party activities and
keeps things on track.
I would be happy to recommend Peter at P&T Puppets for your birthday
party. We hired him at our son's 3rd birthday last year and everyone
enjoyed it. He has several different shows to choose from (we did
Pie-rats of Penn's Aunt), he was on time and gave the birthday child a
treat at the end.
website is http://www.ptpuppets.com/
Bryan in Oakland
Editor: recommendations were also received for
Face Painters and
Jugglers
Sept 2008
Hi there,
I am looking for someone who performs puppet shows at
residences for my son's upcoming 3rd birthday party. Also,
wondering what the general price is for something like this. I
saw some old information on this dated back to 2001 and 2003,
but I was wondering if there is anything new. Thanks so much
Elena
for a fabulous, creative and very funny puppet show contact
puppets@jenmiriam.com and/or go to
http://jenmiriam.com/puppets.html
have fun!
anon
I took my 3 year old twins (boy/girl) to a great puppet show this summer
at the Piedmont Library (41st & Piedmont Avenue). I don't remember the
puppeteer's name, but I am sure if you call the Piedmont Avenue library,
they can give you her contact information. She was very funny, had great
puppets, a great story and showed the kids the ''behind the scenes''.
dms
Hi Elena.
We used Peter from P&T Puppets for our son's 3rd birthday in February. He
did a great show, Pie Rats of Penn's Aunt, a ''pirate'' themed show with
songs. He setup in a corner while the party was going on. It was probably
a 35 minute show, and my son got a pirate hat out of it too. I was taking
pictures, and thought the show would lose young people halfway through,
but they actually all sat enthralled and watched it. got good comments
from other parents as well. He is from somewhere like Salinas, so he
charges travel, but I think it was about $250 total. If you talk to him on
the phone, he can help with the selection of shows, themes and times to
fit your party. The site is http://www.ptpuppets.com/
Bryan
Puppetry classes for 7-year-old?
Dec 2007
I've been looking around for a class that might teach puppetry for a seven
year old. My daughter enjoys putting on small plays at home and loves to
make things, so puppets seemed like a good idea. But, I can't seem to find
any classes being offered. I'm in the East Bay, but I'd be willing to
travel... Any recommendations from the great wide pool of parental
experience?
andrea
PUPPETS AND PIE: Puppet-making classes for kids ages 6-12, in South Berkeley; maximum
enrollment is 12 kids per session.
Tuesdays, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm., January through May.
Teachers are two wonderful artists. For more details, see teacher Mary Ellen Hill's
web site: http://www.mehstories.com/offerings1.html
We first met Mary Ellen through my daughters' Oakland preschool, where she was an
eagerly awaited monthly story teller, and now see her regularly through the girls'
public elementary school. She's terrific. My older daughter did the Puppets and Pie
summer program this past year and loved it.
--Darcy
Puppet show for 4-year-old's birthday
June 2007
We are having a birthday party this summer for our daughter who will be turning four.
Would anyone know of a person/group that comes to your home, set's up a puppet stage and
does a show?
Thanks so much!
Sarah
Remember JoJo LaPlume from the Farmer's Market? Is she around? That was the most charming & whimsical
thing I have ever seen in my entire life. It would be so great to get her for a party. (I think she
taught sewing at the YMCA on the side.)
Your post made me think of her. Wow. JoJo LaPlume danced on an incredibly charming suitcase stage
(marionette) with little chairs set up for kids to sit & watch. The music was Klezmer or some crazy
European accordian stuff and JoJo had the grooviest, wackyest moves ever!!!!!
I would go to the Market just to see JoJo dance.
We loved attending a party with Peter Brizzi's puppet show as the entertainmnet, and followed by
having him at our daughter's party. Peter is great, creative, and the children (and adults) all enjoy
the show. He travels throughout the Bay Area. Se his websitef or more details:
http://www.ptpuppets.com/
anon
Puppet show for birthday party
Feb 2007
I would like to get some info about puppeteers in the bay area
who do birthday parties. I was hoping to have a short (20-30
minute) show in mid-March that is affordable. I know that's
asking a lot, especially on such short notice, but it doesn't
hurt to ask. I checked on the archives, but most of them seemed
to be out of my price range.
dawn
For a truly spectacular puppet show, contact the Piccolo Puppet
Players, http://piccolopuppetplayers.com/, 510-663-7289
(Professor Brian Patterson). I haven't needed to hire them for a
private party, so I can't attest to price, but I know Brian and
some of the other Players from their years of performing Punch &
Judy puppet shows at Dickens and Renaissance Faires. They put on
a great show, and will dress in either Victorian or Renaissance
costumes based on your wishes. I've seen young audiences of all
ages and sizes (i.e. up to 80 kids!) enthralled by their
performances. Since this isn't ''Faire season'' you may be able to
book them on short notice, and it's usually just a two-person
ensemble (the puppetteer, and the audience wrangler), so probably
isn't too expensive, although you are paying for the
transportation and maintenance of their many amazing props (and,
of course, puppets!).
Good luck to you! The children at your party will love it.
Puppet Fan
Randal Metz, the puppeteer at Children's Fairyland, runs a
puppet show program. I don't know the cost but you can try
emailing him for a price. puppetcom@hotmail.com Good luck!
programs@fairyland.org
A friend of mine who is a professional puppeteer recommends
another puppeteer, Mary Ellen, for parties.
Her site is
http://mehstories.com
Good luck!
Bridget
Puppet show for 5-year-old's birthday party
Oct 2003
We would like to have a puppet show for our daughter 5th
birthday party. By word of mouth I was given the name of Peter
Brizzi from P&T puppets. Has anyone seen one of his shows and
has a recommendation? DO you know of other puppet shows that you
could recommend? Thank you.
A really good puppetmaster is Nick Barone. He does an excellent
job, as he performed ''Puss and Boots'' for our school last year.
The best part is the ''behind-the-scenes'' after the show. He
removes the curtain, answers questoins, and shows the kids how
the puppets work. It's amazing all that he does, considering
he's just one person.
You can even see his shows for free at some public libraries.
His website is at www.nbpuppets.com
Melanie
April 2002
I am looking for entertainment for a 5-year old birthday party. I
haven't done much research but does everyone charge $150 for 30-40
minutes of entertainment? Can you recommend a puppeteer/storyteller or
other fun entertainment for five year olds that is less expensive?
Thank you for any leads.
Call the drama departments in the local colleges and see if any of the
students are available for less. You might be surprised at the talent that
can be found there.
Marianne
You can take a group of kids to Fairyland in Oakland
and have a birthday party there in their private party
space. They have wonderful puppet shows and other fun
stuff to see and do. It used to cost about $10 a kid
(may have gone up since the renovation) so it keeps
the cost down.
Christine
We saw a wonderful classic Punch and Judy show at the Dickens Fair this year. The kids
absolutely loved it and interacted enthusiastically with the puppets. I don't know how
much they would cost to hire but they are worth looking into. Be forwarned though that
they do use slapstick and some parents may be sensitive to the rough play. Their web site
is: http://www.misterpunch.com/
Donna
2001
Could anyone recommend a good puppeteer to put on a show for toddlers? (I've
already checked the website--any new recommendations would be appreciated.)
LawsonFmly
Linda Zittel does puppet shows andstory telling. I think she does private
parties and works in schools.
Her number is 234-6266. You can tell her that June Kamerling gave you her #.
June
Snapdragon puppets is a one man show with a whole set and theater that
he can bring with him. I've seen him the past several summers at Dimond
Public Library doing his shows, and he's very funny, and very good. I don't
know his phone number, but I expect you could get it from the children's
librarian at Dimond. (I think he's going to be there 6/26, at the pajama
story hour, 7:00 Tuesday, (free)
I'd like to second the recommendation for Roger Mara - Snapdragon Puppets. He
brings his puppets to life brilliantly and also has great rapport with the
children in the audience before and after the show. I've seen his shows quite
a few times as my son is a puppet show devotee, and both of us enjoy them
every
time. His web site, which includes a calendar of public shows, is at:
. We hired Snapdragon Puppets to
perform at a 7-family combined birthday party (3 year olds) in April, and
Roger
did a great show.
Another excellent puppeteer is Nick Barone. His web site is at:
and includes a calendar of public shows too.
Both of these guys perform at Oakland Public Libraries (and other
libraries in the Bay Area), as well as Habitot, and the like. Go see them!
Peter
Does anyone know of a puppet theatre in the Bay Area other than Children's
Fairyland in
Oakland? Thanks. Laura
Puppet Theater Folks:
Madame Ovary 222-8684 Does an amazing child/adult puppet show using
puns centered around eggs. All of her puppets are made from L'eggs panty
hose containers and recycled materials from the EB Depot for Creative
Reuse.
She is my favorite of all time, funny and intelligent. Lisa
Piccolo Puppet Players 663-7289 Do a Punch & Judy type show. I have had
them come to the Solano Stroll once since they are new to the area. I
didn't
catch their show but I did get a photo and it looked great. Nice folks.
Brian & Heidi
The Oakland Public Library hires some wonderful puppeteers to perform at
the
various branches (though the wonderful guy who just did The Mousecracker
during December is moving to Portland. What a shame.) You can check with
any
branch about upcoming puppet events. The quality is MUCH better than
Children's Fairyland.
Janet
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