Local Companies and & Puppetry Artists
We have SIX local, Richmond-based puppet companies that operate independently. (Stay tuned for updates!) Our newest addition is Virginia Theater Machine! The artists in these locally-based companies have trained, studied, and performed extensively within the field of puppetry. In addition to performing, they do workshops, community engagement, parades, and educational programming for schools, libraries, and theatres. You are welcome to contact them directly with any inquiries or contact us via email or at 804-358-3377 for additional information.
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Applause Unlimited offers a wide range of performances featuring fresh presentations of classic tales. Their approach includes masks, storytelling, music and comedy in a unique combination that quietly educates as it entertains. Applause Unlimited has performed at festivals and in theaters worldwide. Their shows have been acclaimed by audiences, educators, producers and sponsors of children's and family entertainment receiving two Citations Of Excellence from the Union Internationale de la Marionette.
The company has been touring for over 20 years. Their shows are performed in an open staging, theatrical, storytelling style where the performer is often visible to the audience. Shows are geared towards K - 5 and families, and they never talk down to the kids. There is always a lot in the shows to entertain the older kids and adults, too. Applause Unlimited performs in schools, museums, theaters, libraries, and various other venues and events. In addition to theatrical puppet performances, they offer clown shows as well as roving clowns and stilt characters for events and festivals. You can also share in their years of experience and knowledge through workshops, classes, and training. |
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Barefoot Puppet Theatre tours engaging, entertaining, and (secretly!) educational programs to theatres, schools, libraries, children’s museums and more. Founded by Heidi Rugg in 1997, the company tours from Richmond, Virginia to venues all over the East Coast and beyond. Families, educators, librarians, and theatre directors give enthusiastic reviews of their programs and invite them back again and again. Audiences love the innovative, hand-crafted puppets and beautifully built staging and scenery created by Heidi and Sam Rugg.
Post-performance "show-and-tells" with these puppeteers receive rave reviews from curious children, families, and educators. Workshops and residencies are available to children and adults and share the behind-the-scenes work that makes the puppets come alive. All shows are self-contained with sound and supplemental lighting and are designed to adapt to a variety of spaces. Whether a school cafeterias or a state-of-the-art theatre, the performers are able to create a theatrical environment. Barefoot Puppet Theatre has been touring their original works to audiences since 1997. They have performed at the Smithsonian Discovery Theater, The Center for Puppetry Arts, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, The Puppet Showplace Theater, and numerous puppetry festivals. In 2005, they were awarded an UNIMA Citation of Excellence from the Union Internationale de la Marionette. |
Uncle Ty-Rone The Kids Comedian
Never Give Up Hope
As a child, Tyrone struggled a great deal in grade school due to his difficulty understanding words and reading books. He got into fights, constantly disrupted the class and spent a lot of time in the principal's office.
A Book Saves His Life
When he was 7 years old Tyrone's parents asked him, "What do you want to do with your life when you grow up?"
Tyrone replied, "I want to be like that man I saw on TV making a puppet talk.” At that moment, his parents decided to take him to the local library to search for a book on the art ventriloquism.
Tyrone's parents encouraged him to read the book Fun with Ventriloquism. They also helped him to appreciate the importance of never giving up.
An important lesson
Tyrone never gave up. He practiced and practiced, reading that book until he finally learned the art of ventriloquism. Not only did he acquire the skills to perform ventriloquism, he also came to appreciate how important it is to read books and pay attention in school. His teacher was so impressed with his new attitude towards reading, school and his ventriloquism skills, she arranged for him to perform in the School's library for all the classes.
Uncle Ty-Rone The Kids Comedian is born
Uncle Ty-Rone is a Comedian/Entertainer who has a profound gift for captivating children of all ages. Through his comedy, puppetry, and ventriloquism, he very effectively educates his audiences and motivates them to SUCCEED.
A professional since 1998, Uncle Ty-Rone got his big break at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he learned how to attract and entertain large crowds. After working at Busch Gardens for three years Uncle Ty-Rone took his show to the seas performing on Carnival Cruise Ships and from their he relocated his show to New York where he entertains thousands of children each day at Green Meadow Farms in Queens, New York where he became known as Uncle Ty-Rone The Kids Comedian.
Ever since, the Virginia native has been giving his show to children and adults at fairs, festivals, corporate events, cruise ships, educational venues, and opening concerts all across the country to well satisfied audiences.
Uncle Ty-Rone writes his own show utilizing clean comedy, self-produced music that’s child friendly and builds his own ventriloquism puppets makes him a self-contain show.
Never Give Up Hope
As a child, Tyrone struggled a great deal in grade school due to his difficulty understanding words and reading books. He got into fights, constantly disrupted the class and spent a lot of time in the principal's office.
A Book Saves His Life
When he was 7 years old Tyrone's parents asked him, "What do you want to do with your life when you grow up?"
Tyrone replied, "I want to be like that man I saw on TV making a puppet talk.” At that moment, his parents decided to take him to the local library to search for a book on the art ventriloquism.
Tyrone's parents encouraged him to read the book Fun with Ventriloquism. They also helped him to appreciate the importance of never giving up.
An important lesson
Tyrone never gave up. He practiced and practiced, reading that book until he finally learned the art of ventriloquism. Not only did he acquire the skills to perform ventriloquism, he also came to appreciate how important it is to read books and pay attention in school. His teacher was so impressed with his new attitude towards reading, school and his ventriloquism skills, she arranged for him to perform in the School's library for all the classes.
Uncle Ty-Rone The Kids Comedian is born
Uncle Ty-Rone is a Comedian/Entertainer who has a profound gift for captivating children of all ages. Through his comedy, puppetry, and ventriloquism, he very effectively educates his audiences and motivates them to SUCCEED.
A professional since 1998, Uncle Ty-Rone got his big break at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he learned how to attract and entertain large crowds. After working at Busch Gardens for three years Uncle Ty-Rone took his show to the seas performing on Carnival Cruise Ships and from their he relocated his show to New York where he entertains thousands of children each day at Green Meadow Farms in Queens, New York where he became known as Uncle Ty-Rone The Kids Comedian.
Ever since, the Virginia native has been giving his show to children and adults at fairs, festivals, corporate events, cruise ships, educational venues, and opening concerts all across the country to well satisfied audiences.
Uncle Ty-Rone writes his own show utilizing clean comedy, self-produced music that’s child friendly and builds his own ventriloquism puppets makes him a self-contain show.
