Great Arizona Puppet Theater

Arizona Themed Shows

Recommended K-up. Boo is a baby condor who hatches in the Grand Canyon. When his father goes missing, we learn of the dangers facing condors today and what people can do to help. Based on the true story of the reintroduction of highly endangered giant condors into the Grand Canyon. Presented with shadow puppets and almost life-size rod puppets. Created with the help of the Grand Canyon Interpretive Department, the Peregrine Fund and the Arizona Game and Fish Condor Reintroduction Program, with support from the Puppeteers of America. 45 minute show & post-show discussion. Darkened auditorium required.

Recommended K-grade 5. Three stories about trickster coyote from Arizona Indian tribes—Mohave, Navajo and Hopi. Large rod puppets and shadow puppets. Apx 40 minute show. Needs 11’ ceiling and at least 15’ x 15’ space for set up. Sets up on floor, not elevated stage. Darkened auditorium required.

Recommended K- grade 6. Very popular, good for older audiences, not good for preschool groups. Original story set in old time Arizona about a prospector, his donkey and a haunted gold mine. Funny, not spooky. Includes a black-light sequence in haunted mine. Good for Halloween and fun at other times of the year, too. Large rod puppets. Apx 45 minute show. Needs 11’ ceiling and at least 10’ x 10’ space for set up. Sets up on floor, not elevated stage. Darkened auditorium required.

K-4th grade and families. There’s never been a Christmas party in Lost Canyon and Sally Johnson is determined there will be one this year. Everyone in the neighborhood brings something and Sally learns about holiday celebrations in different cultures. Cute, fun and touching musical show. Large rod puppets. Apx 40 minute show. Needs 11’ ceiling and at least 10’ x 10’ space for set up. Sets up on floor, not elevated stage.

K—2nd grade and family groups. The Easter Bunny has missed Sally Johnson every single year. Lost Canyon, Arizona is just too far away. So, the Easter Bunny recruits his cousin, Jack Rabbit, to help. But look out! Billy Joe Ray Bob Bobcat wants that Easter basket for himself! Told with large rod puppets. Cute musical puppet show set in old time Arizona and Easterland! Apx 35 minute show. Needs 11’ ceiling and at least 10’ x 10’ space for set up. Sets up on floor, not elevated stage.

Preschool —3rd grade or family groups. Based on Aesop’s Tortoise and the Hare fable, this interactive show is set in Arizona. The puppeteer also acts as storyteller/narrator and is visible throughout the performances. Told with tabletop rod puppets. Available for outdoor shows as well with additional $100 outdoor fee assessed. Apx 30 minute show. Prefer to set up on elevated stage, at least 8’8’.

Recommended K—4th grade and Family groups. Up to 100 in audience. Lots of audience interaction with Silly Bunny as he tries to get his Arizona symbols straight. Hand puppets in a traditional “Punch & Judy” stage with additional performer outside the stage.Apx 35 minute show. Can set up on stage or floor. Outdoors ok for additional charge.

Recommended K-3rd grade, families and tourists. NOT FOR PRESCHOOL GROUPS. This popular show was developed with the help of Desert Botanical Garden. Sammy is a young saguaro and doesn’t know if he wants to be a cactus. His Grandpa teaches him how important the saguaro is to the desert. Entertaining and informative post-show discussion included. 7’ Grandpa cactus and rod puppets. Apx 40 minute show. Can set up on stage or floor. MAYOR’S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARD WINNER.

Recommended K-3rd grade or families. NOT FOR PRESCHOOL GROUPS. Entertaining show developed initially for Mesa Water Conservation Department. Zoner is a newcomer and doesn’t know about the importance of saving water in the desert. A Drip comes out of his faucet and takes him on a whirlwind tour of the desert. Zoner sees how plants and animals save water and decides that he can save water, too. Post-show discussion reinforces lesson. FREE TO SCHOOLS IN SOME AZ CITIES. Apx 45 minute show. Can set up on stage or floor. MAYOR’S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARD WINNER.

Recommended grades 4-6. NOT FOR PRESCHOOL GROUPS. Developed initially for Phoenix and Mesa Water Conservation Departments. Drip returns to take Zoner on another trip. This time he learns about the water cycle and water and wastewater treatment. Entertaining and informative post-show reinforces learning. FREE TO SCHOOLS IN SOME AZ CITIES. Apx 50 minute show. Can set up on stage or floor. MAYOR’S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARD WINNER.

Recommended K-5th grade or families. NOT FOR PRESCHOOL GROUPS. Developed with the help of Arizona Game & Fish Department, this show is about threatened and endangered species in Arizona and what people can do to help them. Apx 45 minute show with post show discussion. Can set up on stage or floor. MAYOR’S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARD WINNER.