About Thistledown Puppets

Thistledown Puppets is a family-friendly puppet company dedicated to entertaining and inspiring the child in everyone. At Thistledown, we share our love of puppets with you through funny and memorable characters, engaging stories, and entertaining videos. Our commitment to excellence means that whether you’re watching a live performance, ordering a customized puppet, or enjoying a video production, you’ll know that Thistledown Puppets’ products and services are of the highest quality.

Thistledown performs at schools, libraries, parties, festivals, and anywhere else that our puppets can find an enthusiastic audience. We also provide customized puppet building for marketing, personal collections, or any occasion. For booking or order information, contact us or call (540) 597-8310.

Philip Hatter

The founder of Thistledown Puppets, Philip Hatter, is a puppet builder and puppeteer living and working in Virginia. Philip’s background and degree are in the visual arts and include concentrations in caricature and cartooning. He loves how puppetry combines all of his artistic interests, from design to sculpture. Philip believes in a strong visual approach to character design, is meticulous in his craft, and strives for the highest quality in all he does.

Sean Hatter

Puppeteer and creative tour de force Sean Hatter has been performing with puppets since he was a child. An accomplished artist in his own right, Sean performs alongside his brother, Philip, in most all of the Thistledown shows. Sean’s gift is the life and individuality that he brings to each puppet he operates. From the subtle movements to the distinctive voices he gives each character, Sean transforms each puppet into a believable little actor.

Alex Lucas

Certified teacher and professional writer Alex Lucas knows how to tell a Thistledown story. His experiences in education and publishing, as well as his love of theatre, literature, and film all provide the right mix for some of the most unique children’s plays anywhere. Alex chooses every word carefully in order to ensure that every Thistledown Puppets production is teeming with excellence.