List your services
Log InMagpie Puppets
- Stoneham, MA
- Children’s Party Entertainment
- Travels up to 60 miles
- $250-350. Travel fees may apply.
Overview
Magpie Puppets has several HAND PUPPET SHOWS FOR CHILDREN and one SHADOW PUPPET SHOW FOR ADULTS. Children's shows are geared to ages 3-10 for performances at schools, libraries, and cultural events throughout New England. See puppeteer Maggie Whalen on public TV's Curious George show in the Sock Puppet Opera episode! For birthday parties, Eeyore's Birthday or Moccasin Stew are available if your space is large enough. Organizations with large performance spaces can choose from the entire repertoire for a live performance. Please see my website for descriptions and videos. NEST eligible. Shows for adults can be for any occasion at parties, community events, and senior centers.
5 Reviews
So much fun….Truly engaged with all the children…. They had lots of fun..
Children’s Party Entertainment
Response from Magpie Puppets:
Thanks, Mary! I had as much fun as the children! You, your family and your guests were all so welcoming and friendly. It was a pleasure performing for you all.
We did not get to see Maggie’s show because she fell sick the day of the performance but she moved heaven and earth to find a replacement at the last minute. Debbie was able to fill in and was great. Kids and parents loved the show and the unique very cool setup (a tree house for puppets). Maggie was great at communicating and Debbie was amazing with kids.
Puppet Show
Response from Magpie Puppets:
Thanks, Anais, for being gracious and flexible in the early morning hours when I became too ill to perform! I know Debbie enjoyed performing for your family and guests, and I'm glad it was a good experience for all of you as well.
Kept kids of all ages groups entertained as well as all the adults...kids and adults all loved the show..and I would hire again in a minute...if there we 100 states Magpie would get all 100
Children’s Party Entertainment
Response from Magpie Puppets:
Thanks, Steven! You and your family made me feel very welcome. It was a pleasure to perform for such an attentive and appreciative group. The indoor/outdoor party you planned for your granddaughter was a huge success, despite the rainy weather. I'm sure the children will remember this fun event for a long time!
She kept the children's attention and interest, and they were young children. Also, at the end of the show, she had a question and answer and showed them how a puppet show works. Wonderful.
Educational Entertainment, Puppet Show
Response from Magpie Puppets:
Thanks, Jean--it was a pleasure performing for such an attentive group. I hope my performance sparked their interest in creating puppets and putting on their own shows!
Maggie was great with the kids at our twin's birthday party. With wide range of ages (from 3 to 16) she kept kids engaged with the sing-along pre-show and the puppet show. Our shy 3 year old was overwhelmed by the crowd of people in one place, but Meggie's voice was soft and welcoming, and our daughter finally join in and enjoyed the show. The puppet show (Eeyors birthday) was funny and entertaining. I was very happy Magpie Puppets were part of our celebration! All adults loved the show too.
Puppet Show
Response from Magpie Puppets:
Thank you, Lana! It was a pleasure performing for your family and friends. I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it!
Booking Info
Price Range: $250-350. Travel fees may apply.
Gig Length: 40 - 60 minutes
Languages: English
What to Expect
FOR CHILDREN:
Join Mama Bear for her morning aerobics! Or grill the Emperor about his latest misdeeds at his Royal Press Conference. Children don’t just watch Magpie Puppets—they get involved. Each show begins with learning how to make puppet voices or a lively demonstration about how puppets are made and manipulated. The puppets are all unique, hand-crafted by Maggie Whalen. Performances run 45-50 minutes and are appropriate for both large assemblies and small groups.
Magpie Puppets performs at schools, libraries, museums and community events in the Boston area and throughout New England. Birthday party puppet shows take place in your home and make your child's party memorable (and manageable!)
Magpie Puppets participates in the New England States Touring Program. Study guides are provided for school performances, and a question-and-answer session follows the show.
For birthday parties, choose from Eeyore's Birthday or Moccasin Stew. Performances begin with learning how to make puppet voices. Total running time is approximately 45 minutes.
Performances of any show in the repertoire are available for schools, museums, or libraries with large performance spaces. The puppet show will be preceded by a puppet demonstration and a question-and-answer session will follow the puppet show. Total running time is approximately 60 minutes.
FOR ADULTS
Shadow Songs and Stories features hand-cut shadow puppets playfully illustrating favorite songs from the 30's through 50's as well as two short stories. The show is preceded by a brief, illustrated history of shadow puppetry.
About
Director Maggie Whalen has been making puppets and performing for families for more than 50 years. She also performs a shadow puppet show for adults, featuring songs from the 30's-50's and a few small stories. In addition to performing, she creates custom puppets for theater, film and individuals. She has performed and led workshops at Club Med in the Bahamas, Guadeloupe, and the Dominican Republic.
She was featured on PBS' Curious George Show in the Sock Monkey Opera episode. She created the Brother Theodore puppets for the documentary film "To My Great Chagrin," which premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.
Additional Booking Notes
Magpie Puppets performs children's shows in indoor venues with a ceiling height of at least eight feet. One three-prong outlet is required, and a solid wall or covered window behind the puppet stage. The puppet stage is approximately 4' X 5'. The Goldilocks table-top show requires a 15' X 6' area. The shadow puppet show for adults requires a space of at least 8' X 12'. The audience can sit as close as 3' away from the stage. One electrical outlet for a three-pronged plug is required. Maggie provides her own sound equipment and lighting.
The stage for the shadow puppet show for adults does not require a high ceiling. It requires a space of approximately 8' across by 6' deep and one electrical outlet for a three-pronged plug. Maggie provides her own sound equipment and lighting.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| March 09, 2024 • 1:30pm - 2:15pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| November 19, 2022 • 10:30pm - 11:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| April 20, 2019 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| March 23, 2019 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| February 21, 2019 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Fundraiser |
| April 30, 2016 • 2:30pm - 4:30pm | Birthday (Child) |
| June 27, 2015 • 12:00pm - 5:00pm | Birthday (Child) |
| November 17, 2013 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Birthday Party |
Influences & Inspiration
My first inspiration was from a two-person troupe called The Little Players, based in New York City. They performed in their apartment for a subscription audience of adults. They had a repertory company of puppet "actors," and each puppet's strong personality came through in whatever role they were playing. The shows were hilarious, and the puppets and sets were amazing. Later influences included Paul Zaloom, Sparky's Puppets, and Brad Shur.
Setup Requirements
Magpie Puppets provides the equipment needed for hand puppet shows. For Goldilocks and the Three Bears as well as The Three Little Pigs, performed in the table-top style, a well-lit room or a stage with spotlights are required.