Party Animals
Follow five furry friends as they navigate the biggest social hurdle of their young lives — throwing their first party! Featuring incredibly catchy, original rock 'n' roll music.
Artist: Sarah Nolen of Puppet Motion, Resident Artist of Puppet Showplace
Length: 45 minutes
Age Group: 4 - 10
Puppetry Styles: Hand Puppets
Curriculum Connections: Self-expression, friendship, humor, managing big feelings
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Party Animals follows five furry friends as they navigate the biggest social hurdle of their young lives — throwing their first party! Meet a bunny with boundless energy, a sloth with social anxiety, a hedgehog wrestling with wrapping, and a skunk who's trying to keep everything cool and under control. Through song, dance, and original rock 'n' roll music by Boston local Phil Berman (of Puppet Playtime & The Holiday Sing-Along), these little stars discover that music can be an exuberant and healthy way to express their inner selves.
Party Animals comes from Sarah Nolen (of Puppet Motion) — creator of Judy Saves the Day and Lisa the Wise; and our beloved Resident Artist! The show balances silly antics with deeper truths, all conveyed through traditional hand puppetry performance: the life of the party!
Legendary rock star Pete Townshend once said, "Rock 'n' roll might not solve your problems, but it does let you dance all over them" — equally true for children and their grown-ups!
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Space Requirements
Minimum space dimensions of stage area (not including audience seating)
Width: 10’ • Depth: 6’ • Height: 8’
Or,
Width: 14’ • Depth: 10’ • Height: 9’ to include Touring Lights
The performer requires a nearby bathroom or dressing space to change into costume. If the stage is not ready when we arrive, we may not be able to begin the performance on time.
This show cannot be performed outdoors.
Lighting and Sound
This show travels with its own lighting (optional, if space allows) & sound equipment.
Blacklight Segment: If the space can get reasonably dark, there is a section of the show that can transition to a blacklight effect. This is not necessary, and Party Animals can also be performed in an area with plenty of light.
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Arrival & Setup
The performer will arrive 1.5 hours before the scheduled show time. If load-in is more than 100 yards from car to stage, above the ground floor, or involves any other complication, please inform us ahead of time so that we can allot extra time. Ramp access is necessary to load into a location. If the space is above the ground floor, the performer must have elevator access.
Parking
This show travels in one vehicle. If parking is not available on the premises or within the immediate area, let us know so that we can plan to arrive earlier to allow for parking time.
Strike and Load-Out
This show can be struck within one hour, barring any of the issues mentioned in the “Arrival & Setup” section (parking far away, performance space on higher floor in building etc.).
About the Artist
Sarah Nolen is a puppeteer and filmmaker known for her versatile work across multiple puppetry styles. Originally from Texas, Sarah lives in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she works as a freelance puppeteer, director, and puppet builder for both stage and screen through her company, Puppet Motion.
Currently, she is the third-ever resident artist at Puppet Showplace Theater, touring family puppet shows and teaching puppetry to all ages. Most recently, Sarah was a shadow puppet fabricator for A.R.T.'s The Odyssey (2025), built a puppet and puppeteered in Adam McKay's Don’t Look Up (2021), and directed Sandglass Theater's latest puppet production Feral (2024). In June 2025, Sarah premiered Party Animals, a new touring family puppet show with original music by Phil Berman.
Production Credits
Original Music Written & Composed Phil Berman
Original Music Performed by Poh Hock Kee, Dylan Jack, Tony Leva, Phil Berman, and Sarah Nolen
Sound Engineering by Forrest Pettengill
Puppets, Set, and Props Created by Sarah Nolen with Bonnie Duncan, Carole D’Agostino, Amanda Gibson, Abigail Baird, Faye Dupras, and Jessica Simon
Props Illustration by Jonathan Little
Color Consulting and Fabric Draping Assistance by Marta Kaemmer
Puppet Assembly Assistance by Vincent Campbell
