Incubator: New Works by Local Artists

Puppet Showplace Theater supports the development of world premiere puppetry productions by local artists. Incubator puppeteers become part of a supportive artistic community, and receive support tailored to the needs of their particular project, which may include:

• Theater space — use of our theater for rehearsals, auditions, and puppet building

• Artistic matchmaking — helping artists build a creative team to realize the project's vision

• Artistic feedback — advice and support from Puppet Showplace staff and affiliated puppeteers

• Work-in-progress showings — facilitated feedback sessions with fellow puppeteers and audience members

• Free admission to performances at Puppet Showplace to support creative research

• Marketing and press support for premieres

Incubator projects typically culminate in a multi-weekend premiere run as part of our Mainstage season. 

Incubator shows have gone on to tour nationally and internationally, and have now been seen by over 50,000 of people in at least 18 U.S. states and 5 countries.

Puppet Showplace is not currently accepting applications for the Incubator program. However, if you are interested in developing a production with us, please reach out to artistic@puppetshowplace.org to begin a conversation!

Past Incubator Productions:

• Little Big Eye by Works with Water (2025)

• Don’t Make Me Get Dressed by The Gottabees (2023)

• Magic Pearl by Pinwheel (2023)

• Stewie’s Magic Hat by Goodhearted Entertainment (2022)

• Magnificent Monster Circus by CactusHead Puppets (2020)

• My Night in the Planetarium by Tanya Nixon-Silberg, Little Uprisings (2020)

• Judy Saves the Day by Sarah Nolen, Resident Artist (2019)

• Go Home Tiny Monster by The Gottabees (2019)

• The Fairy Tailor by Sarah Nolen, Resident Artist (2018)

• The Bremen Town Musicians by CactusHead Puppets (2018)

• I Spy Butterfly by Faye Dupras and Max Weigert (2017)

• Word Play by Honey Goodenough, Good Hearted Entertainment (2016)

• Cardboard Explosion! by Brad Shur, Puppet Showplace Resident Artist (2016)

• Lollipops for Breakfast by Bonnie Duncan, The Secret Agents (2015)

• The Pied Piper of Hamelin by CactusHead Puppets (2015)

• The Great Red Ball Rescue by Faye Dupras, Foreign Landscapes Productions (2014)

• Robin Hood by Brad Shur, Puppet Showplace Resident Artist (2014)

• Squirrel Stole My Underpants by Bonnie Duncan, The Secret Agents (2013)

• Tall Tales: Stories and Songs from Old New England by Brad Shur and Chris Monti (2013)