Here’s Bull and the Chick-Fil-A Cow. I think she felt a little threatened.

And here’s Bull using a straw for an unintended purpose.

Ah, the spoils of victory…a free meal. And I only lost 10 pounds of sweat to get it.

From our workshop to your home—we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

Philip Hatter (“Alley Cat,” Puppet Performer and Voice) is a seasoned puppet builder and performer and is the founder of Thistledown Puppets. He most recently was seen performing as “Pig” in Bull: A Puppet Musical and is excited to offer his craft and expertise to GIVE.

Jessie Hatter (“Mommy”) is a new Mommy in real life. She is fairly new to Roanoke theater and most recently performed as “Ewe” in Bull: A Puppet Musical. She is excited to be on stage again with the cast of GIVE.

Elizabeth Jones (“Allie Mouse,” Puppet Performer and Voice) Elizabeth Matthews Jones is a graduate student at Hollins University studying Creative Writing and Theatre, and is extremely honored to be a part of the world premier of GIVE.

Aimee Perkins (“DeeDee,” Puppet Performer and Voice) Aimee Perkins is so thrilled to be working on a project with the wonderful and talented A.D. Lucas. She has been in several shows in Roanoke, and is so happy to be working with such a wonderfully talented bunch.

Aaron Sifford (“Bobby,” Puppet Performer and Voice) Aaron is a local actor who is extremely excited to be a part of this production. Aaron has appeared in several shows here in the valley, the most recent being as “The Padre” in Man of La Mancha at Showtimers.

Josh Taylor (“Daddy”) Josh is so excited to be a part of this incredible show … even though he doesn’t get to be a puppet … this time! Josh has appeared in several local productions since moving to Roanoke, most recently performed roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Violet. Other credits include “George” in Our Town, “Sky Masterson” in Guys and Dolls, and the “Teen Angel” in Grease.

Alex Lucas (Playwright, Director) Alex D. Lucas is a playwright, lyricist, and composer living and working in Roanoke, VA. His most recent musical play Bull: A Puppet Musical premiered right here at the Dumas Center as a part of the Roanoke Arts Festival in 2008. That play has been produced and performed over the past two years in Greece. GIVE, Lucas’s second musical, represents a two-and-a-half year process of development that started as an idea to raise money for those in need during the holidays.

This Christmas season, Thistledown Puppets will be designing, building, and performing four puppets for a new musical entitled “Give!” written and directed by our good friend Alex (A.D.) Lucas. The show will be performed here locally in Roanoke–in the same venue where Bull: A Puppet Musical (also written by Mr. Lucas) was staged a couple of years ago. Give! is currently in pre-production, and after a couple of readings of the play, I can tell you that I am really excited to be a part of it.

If you have plans to be in southwest Virginia this Christmas season, you won’t want to miss it. For more information on the show, visit the website or the blog.

Stay tuned for puppet designs and images…

Last Friday, my little man Titus came into the world. I can’t wait until he can build puppets with Daddy.

At least once a week as I’m building puppets in my workshop, I come across some doodle or painting that I’ve done over the years (like the one above that I did on our honeymoon in Ireland) and I always think…”Wow—I forgot all about that!”…and nobody sees it but me. Maybe that’s a good thing, but when you create something you at least want SOMEONE to see it…besides your wife.

Puppets are my art now…and I put everything I’ve learned over the years into designing and performing them. So I’ve created a new blog as a place for me to show some of the artistic journey that I’ve taken over the years. So for anyone who’s interested, I’ve dusted off a bunch of images and will try to update it as often as Thistledown will allow.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. We’re looking forward to a wonderful 2010!