When I went outside today I think I smelled a little bit of spring in the air! It’s still just February, and we can see plenty of snow on our local mountains, but the days are getting longer and the cherry blossoms can’t be too far off now. 

While the warm weather isn’t here just yet, bookings for summer shows are happening and the puppets and I are so ready to get back on stage! I know we’re not the only ones. So many of us miss performing, being on tour, and being a part of an audience too. I’m thankful for the opportunities we’ve had to do online performances, workshops and lessons, and all of that has kept us busy; but performances on stage, with kids and families laughing and dancing in the aisles, are the thing I’m getting ready for. 

Working on a Disney film as a puppeteer was the highlight of the last year. After the production wrapped, Magrau and Kamilla got makeovers. Now they want to show their brand new looks and their new moves on stage for all of you! We are looking forward to a spring and summer full of fun and adventure! 

I am thankful for community too. During these last two years I have made many new friends and acquaintances, even though I’ve never met some of these new friends in person. Thanks to video conferencing tools I can teach puppetry and ventriloquism to students from Toronto to New Delhi, and perform for audiences in Northern BC from my living room in Vancouver. The pandemic did not slow down the growth of our puppetry community, and it might have even made it bigger! 

Sooner or later though the time will come for us to step away from our computer screens and gather once again for live shows. I hope to hear lots of belly laughs from the kids again this summer. Cue the sun!