The Musical Puppeteer®

As I set my stage, audiences are initially in wonder about what they are about to see. Some get the impression that I'm "selling things," what with all of my props seemingly scattered everywhere.

What they WILL see is my mobile music system (stage right), my show-board and easel (stage left), my six-foot table (center stage), and all my props, puppet characters, another (hidden) table, & a clothing rack behind, on, under, and around, that six-foot table.

Some assembly is (definitely) required!

I require 2 1/2 hours to set up and 2 hours to break down. It's a lot of work!

Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, Andrew (Andy) holds a B.A. in the Social and Behavioral Sciences from California State University in Los Angeles, has backpacked all over Europe, and has taught English in Huzhou, China. He is also a Marine Corps veteran, former clown, and national collegiate champion in pocket billiards (pro tip: if you like your money, never gamble with him!).

Talented, organized, and always determined to succeed; Andrew brings over 23 years of various performance experiences in acting, juggling, and dance. Some of his formal stage work includes the roles of ‘Paul Sycamore’ in You Can’t Take It With You, the ‘Second soldier’ in Salomé, and ‘Tío Diego’ (‘Uncle Drosselmeyer’) in A Southwest Nutcracker. Not surprisingly, his physical antics were honed during his “Boo Boo the Clown” years.

Andrew’s journey as The Musical Puppeteer® began when a continued passion to be on stage, a desire to create new performance art, and an uncanny imagination all coincided. Determined to engage audiences with music and story, he purchased a Dolly Parton-like puppet character and performed a show-stopping rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” Andy noticed the audience was so enamored that he decided to focus on his novel craft. Today he performs not only in Arizona but California and Nevada as well with eventual plans of taking his show on a cross-country tour.

“When I hear a song, I see a story. Puppetry and acting are performance tools that help to convey that story – I redefine and transform the music. The result is that audiences get to see what those songs look like for the first time!” he explains.

All told, audiences will find that Andrew’s talents, creativity, versatility, and unending energy are on full display in The Musical Puppeteer®!

My space requirements are flexible. I use two tables: one six-foot and one three-foot, clothing rack, easel, several puppet characters, and tons of props that require about at least 12 feet behind the table and three feet of space on either side of my six-foot table (total space approx. 12ft x 12ft performance area).

I have no technical requirements per se, though should your "house" have surround sound, I can "plug-in" (if available) in order to achieve maximum sound efficiency. Any type of lighting you might have is always helpful.

I use a mobile music system that uses one electrical outlet--I have an extension cord in order to reach an out-of-the-way receptacle.

If there is no elevated performance area (stage), it is very important to stagger the seating for an effective "line of sight." The audience will hear the music, but they also should be able to see the action as my show is highly visual!