A Day of Puppetry Comes to Sonoma
The 3 Billy Goats Gruff with a behind-the-scenes look and two workshops on the art of puppetry
Sonoma, California. The perfect family puppet show is coming to Sonoma Community Center on October 24 at 11:00 a.m., presented by a puppeteer who began his career performing puppet shows for his mom from behind the living room sofa.
The “3 Billy Goats Gruff” kicks off a Day of Puppetry, hosted by Sonoma Community Center and curated by the San Francisco Bay Area Puppeteers Guild (SFBAPG). The afternoon features two workshops for teens and adults.
In “The 3 Billy Goats Gruff,” two familiar stories combine in a clever and hilarious mashup. The adventure begins with the classic race between the Tortoise and the Hare. Hare is super speedy; Tortoise is slow and steady. But who will win? The race ends at the Troll Bridge, where the commotion wakes up the Grumpy Old Troll. Now three Billy Goats must figure out how to outwit the Troll and make it across the bridge to reach the field of green, green grass. Will they make it? The puppet show is presented by Puppet Art Theater, one of the most popular and busiest puppet companies on the West Coast. Founder Art Grueneberger designs, builds, and performs the company’s repertoire of 14 shows. Together with his two co-performers, they present more than 500 performances each year.
Sonoma theater and art teacher and SFBAPG member Heather Gobbée knows why audiences keep coming back. “The secret to Art’s popularity is energy and timing. Art’s shows are exceptional as he delivers transitional tales blended with joyful pizazz! I hope to have him perform in Sonoma schools.”
Art agrees that the audience is an essential part of the performance. “Audience participation drives the show. It’s very fun to have the audience pushing the plot points.”
Puppet Art Theater is celebrating its 30th year, but Art says he’s never bored. “I love performing live—not pre-recorded. Every show is different depending on the playful interaction with my audience. I’m constantly learning, which keeps the shows fresh.”
And because this is a Day of Puppetry, the fun doesn’t stop when the curtain closes.
Following the performance, Art will give audiences a Behind-the-Scenes look at his puppets and stage, demonstrating how he brings his characters to life. His hope is to inspire others to pick up a puppet—or build one—and perhaps start creating their own shows behind the living room sofa.
Also on September 24, come play with Art and explore the versatility of the simple Rod Puppet in “The Joys of Rod Puppets & Mechanisms.” Discover the advantages of rod puppets over other styles. Learn how their lightweight, simple construction makes them ideal for both intricate performances and larger-scale productions. Dive into the realm of simple mechanisms that can enhance rod puppets. Whether you’re a seasoned puppeteer or a curious craftsperson, join in for an immersive experience that will ignite your creativity.
Then, at 3:00 p.m., join puppet artist Lisa Zagone for a lively demo exploring flocking, fur, hair, and feathers in puppetcraft called “Fuzz, Feathers, Flock & Other Nonsense”. This workshop is not only for puppeteers, but for anyone who is interested in the fiber arts and upcycling materials. Liza describes her work as “darkly whimsical.” She will share some of the materials, tools, tricks, and techniques she uses to turn a bare puppet surface into something furry, fuzzy, feathered, hairy, or just plain strange. Whether you’re an experienced puppet builder or simply curious about how all that hair gets on there, come see what’s possible when things get a little fuzzy.
Lisa Zagone is a professional theater/film designer with over 20 years of experience, a university lecturer at Muster Tech U in Cork, Ireland, an MFA & BA in Fine Art from SFSU, a certificate in Puppetry Arts from UConn, as well as the Academy of the Wooden Puppet with Bernd Ogrodnik in Reykjavik. She is currently the Lead Designer and Fabricator at Odd Savvy in Oakland, CA.
Wrapping up the day at 4:45 p.m., there is an SFBA Puppet Guild Meeting & Social. All are welcome. Whether you’re a lifelong puppetry fan, a curious beginner, an educator, or someone who simply loves making things, the Day of Puppetry offers a chance to see, learn about, and experience the art of bringing puppets to life.
All of the October 24 events are hosted by Sonoma Community Center and curated by the San Francisco Bay Area Puppeteers Guild. For more information and registration, visit SonomaCommunityCenter.org or call 707-938-4626.
About Sonoma Community Center
The Sonoma Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1953 to serve the communities of Sonoma Valley with the mission of cultivating a vibrant community through extraordinary creative, cultural, and learning experiences. Originally built as the Sonoma Grammar School, which opened in 1916, the Center is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Community – Innovation – Creativity – Inclusion – Leadership
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Media Contact:
Lee Armstrong, Images in Motion
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707-738-5906
