Fox Folk Marionette Troupe

Fox Folk Mission

The Fox Folk Marionette Troupe exists to offer FVL students the opportunity to artistically express their talents through the medium of marionette-style puppetry. The ultimate goal is offer this unique performing art to the FVLHS constituency and the communities of the Fox River Valley at large . . . especially to families and school age children. The Fox Folk repertoire focuses on folk tales that provide unique insights into the great teachings of Christianity.

Members of the 2008-09 Fox Folk Marionette Troupe include L. Scheibe, N. Grundmeier, R. Warning, J. Schoenrock, A. Much, J. Favorite, K. Funk and D. Payne (Director) Missing is C. Payne (Asst. Director).

Photo from an early 2007-08 FFM practice of our new show "A Lamb's Tale." This show was written by Mr. Payne and will debut at Winterfest on January 27, 2008.

Original members of the Fox Folk Marionette Troupe included Mr. Dave Payne, J. Evenson, A. Loewenhagen, J. Wierschke, J. Waack, J. Hammond, M. Mortenson, A. Houser, T. Lemke, & Mrs. M. Levich.

Want to read about the
interesting history of our marionettes?

Click on this link --
Reclaiming a Community Legacy:
A History of the Fox Folk Marionettes

Coming Attractions

In 2008-2009, plans are to debut our newly written "Piccolo: The Stubborn Little Donkey" adapted from the famous story by Charles Tazewell. Our "Senior Showcases" will also take our show on the road to the elementary schools of our senior puppeteers attended to introduce these youngsters to puppetry.

The photo below depicts the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus -- part of both "Piccolo" and the "Senior Showcase" performances.

Click here to view slides of "Piccolo" show.

Click here to view slides of "Baboushka" show.

The directors of the troupe also partnered with the Fox Cities PAC to visit area elementary schools to share puppetry workshops tied to "Swimmy" show that was performed at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in early October.

2007-08 Highlights

Last year the troupe debuted its new script "A Lamb's Tale" while tells the Christmas story from the perspective of the sheep in the fields of Bethlehem. The team also began its "Senior Showcase" program by visiting St. John School in East Bloomfield and St. Peter School in Appleton. Directors Dave & Cassie Payne also worked with the Fox Cities PAC to visit area elementary schools and share a short introduction to puppetry program.

2006-07 Highlights

2006-07 was an important year for the troupe. Many new, young puppeteers joined the team. Also, Cassie Payne, director of Hands 2 Grow Puppet Productions, volunteered as Assistant Director. The team reprised "Darko's Song" -- FFM's adaptation of an old Serbian folktale that tells the story of a blind shepherd boy who miraculously teaches the people of his village to see what is truly important in life.

FFM also presented two special performances at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in conjunction with the opening of Disney's Lion King in May 2007. The performances highlighted the different types of puppetry -- shadow, rod, mask, hand, and moving mouth puppets -- performed in The Lion King.

LION KING SHOW PPT - click here

In addition to our traditional performances at FVL Winterfest, the troupe also performed for the Christian Education Sunday of Bethany Lutheran Church of Appleton. Also for the first time in its FVL history, the puppets made a road trip to perform for FVL Schools Week at Trinity Lutheran School in Neenah. The Russian folktale "Baboushka" was the feature presentation that afternoon.

Photo of the presentation of "Baboushka" at Trinity School in Neenah in March 2007.

5300 N. Meade Street Appleton, WI 54913-8383
Phone: 920.739.4441 Fax: 920.739.4418
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