Under the artistic direction of Art Grueneberger, Puppet Art Theater Company performs hundreds of live performances for family audiences every year. Their shows tour to theaters, festivals, and public events all over California. With a keen sense of humor and a flair for drama, Grueneberger is a master at developing marvelous puppet shows that delight audiences of all ages.

The company also builds and tours fantastic educational shows for government agencies, corporations and other organizations that deliver important educational messages to elementary school students. For more information, click here.

Bios

Client List

Testimonials

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BIOS

ART GRUENEBERGER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Art Grueneberger began his puppet career working under Master Puppeteer Richard Bay. His puppet performance premiere was as lead puppeteer in “A Thousand Cranes,” a UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence winner. Grueneberger formed Puppet Art Theater Co. in 1994 and began producing outstanding children’s productions that have been seen by thousands of audiences across the United States. In 2010 Puppet Art Theater Co. completed over 600 live performances across the State. Art's shows have also toured internationally. He has directed productions for adults that have been seen at Here Theater in New York City, Zeum Theater in San Francisco and the Mondavi Center in Davis California. He recently performed "Goldilocks and the Three Sharks" at the 75th National Puppetry Conference in Atlanta where he opened for Kermit the Frog (and puppeteer Steve Whitmire.) Grueneberger has puppeteered for many film, television and video projects including the award winning film “Ola’s Box of Clovers,” the “Emmy” nominated video “We’re Gonna Be OK,” "Technology Street" a parody of Sesame Street for Adobe MAX and the WB’s national children’s series “Phantom Investigators.” He has worked with Shadowlight Theater on the award winning productions “Coyote Stories” and “The Wild Party” and has collaborated with talented shadow puppeteer Wendy Morton on several projects including “The Little Dragon,” a shadow production that toured to the International Shadow Theatre Festival in Schwaebish Gmund, Germany. Grueneberger was thrilled to be part of the first Shadow Troupe from the United States to perform at the International Shadow Theatre Festival.  Art has been featured as Guest Director at University of California, Davis directing a production of "Man of La Mancha" featuring life-sized puppets. The production was nominated for four regional Elly Awards. He has also traveled to China where he lead Puppetry Workshops at Shainghai Theater Academy. He is one of the staff teachers for Puppet Fest Midwest where he teaches Multi-Person Puppetry Manipulation. In addition to writing and consulting for theater and video productions, Grueneberger has also co-authored the book The Actor's Lab Book: A Practical Supplement for the Beginning Actor. Gruenberger curently serves as President of the San Francisco Bay Area Puppetry Guild and is a Member of the Sacramento Friends of the Library. Grueneberger earned a BA in Liberal Studies and Drama at CSU, Sacramento and an MFA in Theater Arts at University of California, Davis.

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RACHEL MALIN PUPPETEER

Rachel Malin received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from CSU Sacramento where she studied with Master Puppeteer Richard Bay. She first met Art and performed under his direction in a summer stock program at the Old Eagle Theater in Old Sacramento. She began puppeteering for Puppet Art Theater Co. in 1996 and has performed at schools, libraries, and various festivals throughout California, as well as performing at the International Puppet Festival in South Korea. She moved to LA for several years where she ran Puppet Art Theater Co.’s Southern California office. She has assisted in constructing puppets for several projects, including the Sacramento Symphony's Music Education Program. She has also puppeteered and done voice-over work for several of Puppet Art’s projects. In addition to her work for Puppet Art Theater Co., Rachel co-directs and designs the productions at Emerson Junior High in Davis, CA. She's worked as the puppet designer and lead puppeteer on several short film projects including one that was part of the Sacramento Film and Music Festival at the Crest Theater. She also enjoys working as costume designer for Jesuit High School's Theater Productions. Rachel's work can be seen in the new "Puppet Art Theater Co." iPhone Apps featuring several of Puppet Art's Productions.

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CLIENT LIST

Here's a few of the clients we've worked with recently:

Fairytale Town, Sacramento The San Francisco Zoo Arden Fair Mall, Sacramento Capitola Mall, Santa Cruz The Sharpsteen Museum, Calistoga Novato History Museum The California State Fair Haggin Museum, Stockton City of Chino Children’s Museum The Galleria Mall, Roseville Hillsdale Shopping Center, San Mateo Sacramento Public Library System (Multiple Branches) Stockton Public Library System (Multiple Branches) Peninsula Library System, San Mateo County, (Multiple Branches) Orange County Library System (Multiple Branches) The Fatherhood Colaborative San Francisco Public Library System (Multiple Branches) The Oakland Public Library System (Multiple Branches) Downey Public Library Carson Public Library Long Beach Public Library System (Multiple Braches) Windsor Public Library Rohnert Park Branch Library Kensington Library JFK Library, Vallejo Corte Madera Library Lodi Library Fairfield Cordelia Library Alameda Free Library San Jose Public Library System (Multiple Branches) Napa Library Yountville Library Calistoga Library American Canyon Library Castro Valley Library Aurburn Library Nevada City Library Grass Valley Library Woodland Library City of Mountain View Public Library Los Gatos Library

South Lake Tahoe Library Carmel Library Escalon Branch Library Dublin Library Roseville Library Rocklin Library Livermore Library Larkspur Library Empire Oaks Elementary School Grand Oaks Elementary School Children's Academy of Danville La Petite Academy, Roseville Phoenix School, Sacramento Serendipity Preschool, San Mateo Merryhill Preschool, Sacramento American Montessori, Roseville Milbrae Montessori Bannon Creek Head Start, Sacramento Brilliant Babies Preschool, Menlo Park Broadway Head Start, Sacramento Hanna Ranch Child Care, Hercules Lupine Child Care, Hercules Adventure Montessori, Union City Little Folks University, Folsom Merryhill School, Elk Grove Lollipops and Letters Preschool, San Rafael St. Clare’s Preschool, Pleasanton Kindercourt Academy, San Carlos La Petite Academy, San Ramon Diablo Hills Country School, San Ramon Lakeview Montessori, Foster City Tamalpais Preschool, Mill Valley Valley Christian Preschool, Dublin Castro Valley Parent Nursery School Sunrise Kids Club, Antelope And many, many more...

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TESTIMONIALS

 

It's unusual for us to book a performer every year. Usually it's every other year even for very good acts. But Puppet Art is special. You provided our first special event for children in January of this year, and it looks like we'll be seeing the year out with you as well! Nancy Vitavec Children's Librarian Vacaville Public Library ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you very much for your lively presentation of The Boy Who Cried Wolf.  The children really loved the silliness and wild chase scenes.  They especially enjoyed participating, as they totally bought into the magic of the puppetry.   Thanks again for sharing with our community.     Maida Lin Wong Senior Librarian, Children's Services South Pasadena Public Library ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Thank you so much for a wonderful performance.  We loved the story of Goldilocks and the Three Sharks, and the black light effects made it even more special.  Your voices, puppets, scenery and story telling abilities appeal to all ages.  We look forward to seeing more shows!" Laurie Peck, Children's Librarian, City of Mountain View Public Library ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I wanted to let you know how much we appreciated the puppet show. Both young and middle aged (okay old) enjoyed it . It was very entertaining and funny. We all liked seeing the puppets afterwards also.  Rachel, you are terrific with the kids. Thanks so much." Alix Hobson-Carey UC Davis Children's Hospital ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "The show was great today!  Thanks for a great event!" Kristien Russell Orange County Public Libraries ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "We'll always call you....Puppet Art is a consistently huge draw at all of our branches!" -Suzy Daveluy, MLIS Literacy, Outreach and Programming Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Thank you so much for the show you performed for us this week.  I think the adults had just as good a time as the kids.  I will definitely contact you again soon for another booking."   -Amy M. Youth Services Librarian, San Ramon Public Library ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Thank you for another first-rate show. I meant it when I said, 'You are the best puppeteer in the Bay Area.' You never disapoint." -Mary Schrader, Branch Manager, Dimond Branch Library "I keep coming back to Puppet Art Theater Co. because you've got everything I want if I'm going to book a puppet show: big, colorful puppets, humor, and a LIVE, interactive program." -John Weaver, Youth Program Assistant, Livermore Public Library "Thanks for another memorable puppet show. All of the children from all of the classes keep saying 'Can he come back tomorrow?' High praises from preschoolers!" -Patty Nolan, Mather Head Start Preschool "Thank you so much for your wonderful show you performed at our school on Monday.  I didn’t get a chance to talk to you after the show, but I wanted to make sure to tell you how much we all enjoyed it. Rachel did a spectacular job, all of the kids were so engaged!  We especially liked seeing and learning about all of the puppets, it was very interesting. Hopefully, we can have you back sometime soon for another great show." - April Kraft, Burchfield Elementary "You're terrific!!  You really are tuned-in to little kids if you can make them howl, laugh and squeal like you did tonight.They had so much fun, and the parents in the room loved seeing our kids being absolutely delighted." - Diana J. , Parent, Rocklin Montessori School ______________________________________________________________________________ You are the consummate performer: always arriving well in advance of showtime; always fresh, funny, creative and energized; you totally engage with your audience; you're patient and friendly with children and librarians alike; and you always crack us up. Thank you for another fine show. -Carolyn Potter, Fairfax Branch Library "Thank you for being part of our Summer Reading Club! The children had so much fun and Rachel was great!" - Grace Melody, Children's Librarian, Monterey Public Library "That was the best assembly we've ever had!" - Alice Levine, David Lubin Elementary School _______________________________________________________________________________  "My daughter and I loved your puppet show today at the CM library. It was the best puppet show I have ever seen." -Carey R., Parent

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