Puppet Art Theater: The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Tortoise races Hare, then three billy goats outwit a grumpy troll at the bridge. A 45-minute puppet show for ages 3-12.
program overview
This production starts with the classic race of the Tortoise and the Hare. Hare, super speedy; Tortoise, slow and steady. Who will win? The conclusion of the race takes place on the “Troll Bridge” waking up the Grumpy Old Troll. Three Billy Goats must find a way to outwit the Troll and get across the bridge so they can enjoy the field of green, green grass. Little Billy, his older sister Brittany, and their father Bruno all try to trip-trap their way across the bridge. Will they make it?
Family audiences with children ages 3 to 12.
Show: Approx. 45 minutes, including a short audience look “Behind the Scenes” after the show
“If you have children, don’t miss ‘Three Billy Goats Gruff’. Art Gruenberger’s sense of timing, storytelling and audience participation is a joy to see!” – Sonoma’s puppeteer, Lee Armstrong
Show FAQ
instructor Overview
Art Grueneberger
Art Grueneberger, Director, Producer, Puppeteer with a keen sense of humor and a flair for drama, Art has become a master at developing marvelous puppet shows that delight audiences of all ages. His company, Puppet Art Theater Co., has eighteen family productions that tour across California and beyond completing more than 500 live performances every year. His company also builds and tours fantastic educational shows for government agencies, corporations and other organizations that deliver important educational messages.
Grueneberger also produces and directs larger productions with puppets, many for adults. Recent directing credits include Peter and the Wolf (Kimmel Center, Verizon Hall, Philadelphia, PA, with Master Organist Peter Conte), Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors (VITA, Sacramento), and Big Dreams, Small Shoulders, the Story of Ruby Bridges (CAM Theater). He has also been Guest Director at California State University, Sacramento (Avenue Q, winner, Kennedy Center’s Outstanding Ensemble Award) and the University of California, Davis (Man of La Mancha).
He has also directed large scale symphony productions including adaptations of The Red Velvet Violin and Pinocchio and has been a puppetry consultant for Mark Ravenhill (Nursery/School), Messenger Theater Co. (Macbeth), Berkeley Playhouse (Avenue Q), and Cosumnes River College (Avenue Q). Grueneberger was recently invited back to The National Puppetry Conference this time as a Featured Guest Artist where he workshopped a production of the musical Sweeney Todd featuring life-sized puppets.
https://puppetarts.com/
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Class FAQ
We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.
Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.
All credits must be used within 1 year.
You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.
The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.
Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.
We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.
Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 11:00 am to 11:45 am
Family audiences with children ages 3 to 12
Registration Cost:
$12
