~The History & Philosophy Behind The Little Theatre~
~The History & Philosophy Behind The Little Theatre~
The Puppets & Players Little Theatre was first imagined by Laurie Branham and her father around 1987 when they built a small working model of a puppet theater on wheels. Inspired by the famous La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy, they began construction on this elaborate gypsy wagon with the idea that Laurie would some day travel around the county performing marionette shows and … that is exactly what she does.
The Puppets & Players Little Theatre was first imagined by Laurie Branham and her father around 1987 when they built a small working model of a puppet theater on wheels. Inspired by the famous La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy, they began construction on this elaborate gypsy wagon with the idea that Laurie would some day travel around the county performing marionette shows and … that is exactly what she does.
Their goal was to revive the Traditional European-Style Puppets Theater, an art form that has entertained, delighted and educated the young and the young at hart for centuries.
Their goal was to revive the Traditional European-Style Puppets Theater, an art form that has entertained, delighted and educated the young and the young at hart for centuries.
Laurie Branham grew up surrounded by art. Growing up with her father, Robert Branham, a professional artist, she developed a keen sense of design and theatrics at a very young age. With her father’s guidance and inspiration, she learned to draw, paint, sculpt and design.
At the age of nine years old, her father built her a little working marionette theater for Christmas. The little theater also came with several Pelham Marionettes from England. That beginning introduction to puppets set the spark for Laurie to take off in a world of imagination.
Laurie Branham grew up surrounded by art. Growing up with her father, Robert Branham, a professional artist, she developed a keen sense of design and theatrics at a very young age. With her father’s guidance and inspiration, she learned to draw, paint, sculpt and design.
At the age of nine years old, her father built her a little working marionette theater for Christmas. The little theater also came with several Pelham Marionettes from England. That beginning introduction to puppets set the spark for Laurie to take off in a world of imagination.
A graduate of the Drama Studio of London, Laurie has found the perfect combination for her love of art and theater though the fascinating world of puppetry.
A graduate of the Drama Studio of London, Laurie has found the perfect combination for her love of art and theater though the fascinating world of puppetry.
Along with the construction of her marionette theater, she also designs and builds the marionettes, sets and back drops for her productions.
She is the master puppeteer, director, choreographer, original script writer, set designer and many of the voices. A puppeteer wears many hats indeed!
Along with the construction of the marionettes theater, she also designs and builds the marionettes, sets and back drops for her productions.
She is a master puppeteer, director, choreographer, original script writer, set designer and many of the voices. A puppeteer wears many hats indeed!
Places Preformed
~Theme Parks ~ Fairs ~ Festivals ~ Malls ~ City Events~
Theme Parks
Tivoli Park, Japan
San Diego Zoo, S.D. California
Sea World Of California
Disneyland /California Adventure
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
Festivals & Events
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Orange Co. CA.
Orange Co. Children’s Book Festival
Irvine, CA.
Irvine Global Village Festival
Irvine, CA.
Candlelight Walk Festival
Lake Forest, CA.
Victorian Christmas
Lake Forest, CA.
Pumpkin City
Laguna Hills, CA.
Dana Point Easter Egg Hunt
Dana Point, CA.
Food & Wine Festival
Dana Point, CA.
Newport Christmas Festival
Newport, CA.
Orange County Market Place
Costa Mesa, CA.
Crystal Cove Spring Fling
Newport, Cost, CA.
Celebrate Israel Festival
Los Angeles, CA.
Lummis Day
Los Angeles, CA.
Festival Of Children
Costa Mesa, CA.
Arts Alive Festival
Mission Viejo, CA.
Ritz Carlton Teddy Bear Tea
Laguna Niguel,CA.
Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona & Idaho Fairs
Oregon State Fair
Salem, OR.
Linn County Fair
Albany, OR.
Lane County Fair
Eugene, OR.
Klamath County Fair
Klamath Falls, OR.
Douglas County Fair
Roseburg, OR.
Spokane Enter-State Fair
Spokane, WA.
Yuma County Fair
Yuma, AZ.
Verde Valley Fair
Cottonwood, AZ.
Clark County Fair, Rodeo
Logandale, NV.
Lyon County Fair
Yerington, NV.
Norther Idaho State Fair
Coeur d’Alene, ID.
California State & County
Fairs
San Diego County Fair
Del Mar, CA.
Orange County Fair
Costa Mesa, CA.
Los Angeles Co. Fair
Pomona, CA.
Ventura Co. Fair
Ventura, CA.
Marin Co. Fair
San Rafael, CA.
Tulare County Fair
Tulare, CA.
Sacramento County Fair
Sacramento, CA.
Amador County Fair
Plymouth, CA.
Plumas-Sierra County Fair
Quincy, CA.
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair
Bishop, CA.
Big Fresno County Fair
Fresno, CA.
Siskiyou Golden Fair
Yreka, CA.
Redwood Empire Fair
Ukiah, CA.
Mother Load Fair
Sonora, CA.
Silver Dollar Fair
Chico, CA.
So. California Fair
Perris, CA.
Solano County Fair
Vallejo, CA.
Sonoma County Fair
Santa Barbera, CA.
Yuba Sutter Fair
Yuba City, CA.
Santa Barbara Fair & Expo
Santa Barbara, CA.
Riverside County Fair & Date Festival
Indio, CA.
Lodi Grape Festival
Lodi, CA.
Lassen County Fair
Susanville, CA.
Humboldt County Fair
Ferndale, CA.
Gold Country Fair
Auburn,CA.
Dixon May Fair
Dixon, CA.
Desert Empire Fair
Ridgecrest, CA.
California Mid Winter Fair
Imperial, CA.
California Mid State Fair
Paso Robles, CA.
Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee
Angels Camp, CA.
Places Preformed
~Theme Parks ~ Fairs ~ Festivals ~Malls ~ City Events~
Theme Parks
Tivoli Park, Japan
San Diego Zoo, S.D. California
Sea World Of California
Disneyland /California Adventure
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
California State & County
Fairs
San Diego County Fair
Del Mar, CA.
Orange County Fair
Costa Mesa, CA.
Los Angeles Co. Fair
Pomona, CA.
Ventura Co. Fair
Ventura, CA.
Marin Co. Fair
San Rafael, CA.
Tulare County Fair
Tulare, CA.
Sacramento County Fair
Sacramento, CA.
Amador County Fair
Plymouth, CA.
Plumas-Sierra County Fair
Quincy, CA.
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair
Bishop, CA.
Big Fresno County Fair
Fresno, CA.
Siskiyou Golden Fair
Yreka, CA.
Redwood Empire Fair
Ukiah, CA.
Mother Load Fair
Sonora, CA.
Silver Dollar Fair
Chico, CA.
So. California Fair
Perris, CA.
Solano County Fair
Vallejo, CA.
Sonoma County Fair
Santa Barbera, CA.
Yuba Sutter Fair
Yuba City, CA.
Santa Barbara Fair & Expo
Santa Barbara, CA.
Riverside County Fair & Date Festival
Indio, CA.
Lodi Grape Festival
Lodi, CA.
Lassen County Fair
Susanville, CA.
Humboldt County Fair
Ferndale, CA.
Gold Country Fair
Auburn,CA.
Dixon May Fair
Dixon, CA.
Desert Empire Fair
Ridgecrest, CA.
California Mid Winter Fair
Imperial, CA.
California Mid State Fair
Paso Robles, CA.
Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee
Angels Camp, CA.
Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona & Idaho Fairs
Oregon State Fair
Salem, OR.
Linn County Fair
Albany, OR.
Lane County Fair
Eugene, OR.
Klamath County Fair
Klamath Falls, OR.
Douglas County Fair
Roseburg, OR.
Spokane Enter-State Fair
Spokane, WA.
Yuma County Fair
Yuma, AZ.
Verde Valley Fair
Cottonwood, AZ.
Clark County Fair, Rodeo
Logandale, NV.
Lyon County Fair
Yerington, NV.
Norther Idaho State Fair
Coeur d’Alene, ID.
Festivals & Events
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Orange Co. CA.
Orange Co. Children’s Book Festival
Irvine, CA.
Irvine Global Village Festival
Irvine, CA.
Candlelight Walk Festival
Lake Forest, CA.
Victorian Christmas
Lake Forest, CA.
Pumpkin City
Laguna Hills, CA.
Dana Point Easter Egg Hunt
Dana Point, CA.
Food & Wine Festival
Dana Point, CA.
Newport Christmas Festival
Newport, CA.
Orange County Market Place
Costa Mesa, CA.
Crystal Cove Spring Fling
Newport, Cost, CA.
Celebrate Israel Festival
Los Angeles, CA.
Lummis Day
Los Angeles, CA.
Festival Of Children
Costa Mesa, CA.
Arts Alive Festival
Mission Viejo, CA.
Ritz Carlton Teddy Bear Tea
Laguna Niguel,CA.
~Tesimonials~
~Tesimonials~
“The presentation and production of The Puppets & Players Little Theatre is first-class, a great family attraction. We look forward to working with Laurie in future years. She, and her marionette friends, are master storytellers for the next generation.”
Jim Farley, Manager
Marin County Fair, CA.
“We are delighted with the addition of The Puppets & Players Little Theatre here at Sea World. Your “Puff, the Magic Dragon” is in a word, “enchanting”. Your professionalism and craftsmanship shine through in all your performances. We have been impressed by your ability to adapt and change under less than perfect circumstances. You are genuine troopers!”
Virginia Creamer, Show Supervisor
Sea World of California, CA.
“With your show enjoyed by children and Adults alike, I would recommend you for audiences of all ages…highly!”
Catherine Mordante, Events Coordinator San Diego County Fair, CA.
“A performance experience which is not only educational, but of artistic merit as well. We commend you on your success.”
Karen Schmitt, Former Program Coordinator, Segerstrom Center For The Arts Costa Mesa, CA.
I’m not sure if you remember me, but I booked you at the North Idaho State Fair in Coeur d’Alene two years ago. I’ve since moved on to other opportunities. In fact, I’m working on production of the State Fair of Nevada which will be in North Las Vegas in 2018. I was just so impressed with what you do seriously, one of the best grounds attractions I’ve ever hired. So, I’m wondering if you’d have availability May 2nd through 6th. The event will be at Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas.
Anyway, if you could let me know if you are available and what the pricing looks like, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Dane Dugan
I just wanted to reach out and say how impressed I am with your Theatre. I had a few moments to catch part of the show yesterday and must say that it is just spectacular. We aim to create a magical experience for our guests and you are a first-rate example of how that happens. I love how you interact with the kids after the show as well – they will remember that forever! I’ll try to stop by and express my gratitude in person but definitely wanted you to know we are incredibly happy to have you here. Here’s to a great three more days!
Dane Dugan
General Manager, Executive Director Kootenai County Fairgrounds North Idaho Fair & Rodeo Foundation
“I have never seen such artistry and attention to detail in a puppets set as exists in yours. Bravo to you for sustaining excellence and not compromising.
Fair Managers and Entertainment Directors should be knocking your door down to book you.”
Wesley O. Brustad, Former Director Lane County Fair, Oregon
“Everything about the experience was awesome. In the planning stage, Laurie was super attentive to our needs. On the day of the party, they arrived early and did a sound check. The wagon/ stage is very impressive and turn heads. The show was perfect: entertaining, funny, full of action. The quality of the production is beyond compare. After the play, the marionettes were brought out and the kids could touch them. Finally, they cleaned up (!) the confetti on the lawn before leaving. Our guests were delighted. If you need something very special for a birthday, Puppets & Players Little Theater will blow your guests away.”
Review by Juliana R. FROM CARLSBAD, CA.
“Wherever the Puppets & Players Little Theatre goes, the magic of imagination is awakened. This beautifully crafted, self-contained marionette theatre enchants everyone even before the performance begins. Masterful marionettes, colorful stage sets, exquisite lighting and state of the art sound all combine to leave a lasting impression of puppetry at its best. Experience the ancient art of marionettes creatively re-invented for the 21st century.”
Ilene Danaher, Program Coordinator
Festival of Children, Costa Mesa, CA.
