Frequently Asked Questions:

How does ticketing work? Does everyone need a ticket?

• Everyone 2 and up is required to have a ticket (so babies and small children under 2 do not need tickets). You can purchase tickets online or just call us at 804-852-2810 to make a reservation and pay when you arrive at the theatre. You can also just show up and get a ticket (provided we have not sold out).

Where are the shows? Do you have a theatre?

• We are new and not a brick-and-mortar. Richmond has many performance venues with amazing spaces, however, and we are pleased to partner with excellent theatres throughout Richmond. All RVA Winter Puppetfest Performances will be held at Richmond Triangle Players, located at 1300 Altamont Avenue, just a few blocks from the Science Museum. We are pleased to partner with so many of the excellent theatre spaces available in the area for our performances.

Are any of the shows good for one year olds? Two year olds? What about older kids?

• Most of the shows are geared towards ages 3 or 4 and up. Some of the shows are best suited for 5-10 year olds. We even have performances and programs that are geared more for adult audiences. Please be sure to check out the recommendations for each performance.

How do I know if my child is ready for a show?

• We would love to be your child's first exposure to live theatre. Most shows last about 40-50 minutes and younger children will often enjoy the action, scenery, and music, even if they don't exactly follow the story line. Children who attend theatre in the early years tend to enjoy and better understand performances when they are older. It's important to note that some performances are geared for older children, so please check the age recommendation for each particular show. For children who are very young, the lights and sounds of live theatre can be overwhelming. If you are concerned about your child's readiness, you should take a seat near the lobby so you can take a break if need be and then quietly re-enter the theatre when your child is ready. We regret that we cannot offer refunds if you need to leave the performance early.

My child/friend/spouse is really interested in puppetry. What resources are available to someone who is really interested in puppetry?

• Wonderful! We hope you will bring them to some performances. There are also two national organizations that may be able to help you: Puppeteers of America and UNIMA-USA. Puppeteers of America publishes The Puppetry Journal and runs the National Puppetry Festival on odd years and regional festivals on even years. These festivals are full of workshops and high-caliber performances. UNIMA-USA publishes Puppetry International and connects to the world puppetry community. Another great resource is the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut. This conference is held each June and brings together puppetry artists from all over the country for an amazing, puppetry immersion program that focuses on a number of professional tracks ranging from marionette construction to puppet playwriting.

If your question was not answered, we hope you will email us your question so we can answer it. You are also welcome to call us at 804-852-2810. We are happy to "talk puppet shows!"