Magpie Puppets

Specialties

Magpie Puppets’ performances involve children actively. In Moccasin Stew, children change the scenery with a magic chant. In The Emperor’s New Clothes, they participate in a Royal Press Conference with the conceited Emperor. In Leopard Learns a Lesson, they ponder deep philosophical questions with Tembo the Elephant. They help Eeyore celebrate his birthday by reminding Pooh Bear of birthday protocol.

History

Established in 1976.

Director Maggie Whalen previously directed the four-​person troupe, Poor People’s Puppets, founded in 1971 in New York City. As members went their separate ways to pursue other careers, Maggie decided to go solo, as Magpie Puppets.

Meet the Business Owner

Maggie W.

Business Owner

Maggie Whalen is the creator of Magpie Puppets, a one-​woman hand puppet theater based in Stoneham, Massachusetts. She has been creating and performing puppet shows for children since 1969. In 1971, she founded and directed Poor People’s Puppets, which performed in its own storefront theater in NYC from 1971 – 1974. In addition to performing, Maggie teaches puppet-​making workshops and builds custom-​made puppets for theaters, filmmakers and individuals. She was commissioned to make the Brother Theodore puppet for the film «To My Great Chagrin,» which premiered at MoMA in NYC in February, 2008. She has taught puppet-​making workshops at schools, community centers, and at Club Med resorts throughout the Caribbean. She is a member of the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry.