Madcap Puppets

Specialties

Madcap Puppets is nationally recognized for engaging and original children’s theatre productions, as well as in-​school educational programs that include performances, workshops and residencies.

Children’s learning experiences are enriched with performances based on world literature and cultures, thanks to our partnerships with schools and libraries across the country. Audiences enjoy the collaborations with orchestras, museums, opera and ballet, which allow us to bring a richly textured artistic experience to children and their families.

To kick off all the fun, we première each season’s original productions through the Hats Off series at the Cincinnati Art Museum and Clifton Cultural Arts Center.

History

Established in 1981.

Since the beginning, we have been firmly rooted in the art of professional puppet theatre, children’s literature and world cultures. Our founder, the late Jerry Handorf, graduated from the American School of Mime and Dance in New York City and earned his teaching certificate in Art Education at Edgecliff College, as well as a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from Pratt Institute of Art. In New York, Jerry worked at the Henson studios with Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, studying puppet manipulation and construction. He returned to his native Cincinnati and, with Beth Kattelman, founded Madcap Productions Puppet Theatre in 1981.

Madcap quickly built a repertoire of comic-​absurd and original fairytale performances, touring up to six ensembles concurrently to schools, community centers, art museums and libraries. Classic stories such as The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood and others were adapted for Madcap’s giant puppets and expressive «hand-​in-​mouth» characters.

Meet the Manager

John L.

Manager

In both artistic and executive director positions, Lewandowski has devoted his career of more than 25 years to creating puppet theatre and animating cultural organizations throughout the USA and Europe.

Highly respected and known throughout Europe, where he has worked the past 17 years, Lewandowski’s formidable experience in puppet theatre is enhanced by talents in music performance and composition, innovative productions, teaching and directing. His successful collaborations with theaters and symphony orchestras include the Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit and Boston symphonies, l’Insituto de Actor in Seville, the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, Harvard University, and the Public Theater in New York where he worked with Julie Taymor. John was also instrumental in the formation of the marionette troupe under the National Theater of Norway, and mounted successful collaborations in Norway, Switzerland, Romania, and in the United States.