About Us
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art of puppetry through high-quality performances, workshops, and creative events. The company is committed to educating the public about the arts, serving as a center for the exchange of ideas, and enhancing the quality of community life.
Learn more about hiring Eulenspiegel!
** 2024 marks our 50th anniversary ** Stay tuned for information about celebrating with us!
Eulenspiegel is the recipient of the prestigious 2000 Iowa Arts Award for long term commitment to excellence in the arts.
Our Company:
Monica Leo.............Managing Director & Lead Puppeteer
Stephanie Vallez.......................Puppeteer & Festival Director
Christopher Eck................................Outreach Director
Laura Kittrell..................................Musical Director
Alex Flesher.................................Adjunct Musician
Justin Cornett and Pam Corcoran..Adjunct Puppeteers (Vermont / Wisconsin)
Cara McFerren and Bonnie Hanlin.........Resident Artists
Alfred Schulz (puppet)...............Chief Executive Officer
Our AMAZING Board of Directors:
Brant Bollman, Charles Brooke, Duffy De France, Linley Heath, Gwen Kessler, Beth Stoos
Our Guardian Angels:
Teri Jean Breitbach (7/7/1954 - 7/11/2012)
Eli Portugal (1/31/1960 - 1/13/2020)
John Jenks (7/9/1941 - 4/17/2019)
Would You Like To Join Us In Our Mission As a Volunteer or Associate? Contact Us
History
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre was founded in 1974 as a touring puppet troupe. Founding member Monica Leo was joined by Teri Jean Breitbach early in 1975, and the two performed exclusively as a duo until the 1990's, when they began to incorporate musicians and other puppeteers. Eulenspiegel has been active in the Iowa Arts Council’s Artist in the Schools and Communities Program since 1977. During the 1980’s and early 90’s the company was also active in Wyoming’s Artist in Education Program. From 1981 through ‘91, the puppeteers toured on the Iowa Arts Council’s Summer Touring Arts Team. In 1989, Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Co. was incorporated as a non-profit, tax-exempt arts organization for the purpose of providing high quality performances and workshops, educating the public about the art of puppetry, and establishing a regional puppetry center.
Photo Gallery from our 30th birthday in 2004-5!
Experience
Through the years, the Eulenspiegel Puppeteers have experimented with almost every type of puppet imaginable, have collaborated with musicians, playwrights, directors, designers, and other theater companies, and have worked tirelessly to hone their art form. They have performed at six national Puppeteers of America Festivals, numerous regional festivals, a national festival in the former German Democratic Republic in 1987 (the only company invited from a non-Communist country), international festivals in Austria, Germany, Japan, and the Czech Republic, and national festivals in Germany. In addition, Eulenspiegel has toured in Germany, Japan, Austria and 31 of the 50 states. Eulenspiegel is known for witty scripts, original and expressive puppet designs, soft-sculpted, hand dyed scenery, evocative music, and strong graphics.
Owl Glass Puppetry Center
At Owl Glass Puppetry Center in West Liberty, Iowa, established in 1995, Eulenspiegel has taken an ever-increasing role in community development and outreach, presenting an annual season which includes performances by Eulenspiegel as well as by guest puppet theatres from all over the world. For eleven years, Eulenspiegel sponsored an annual amateur Puppeteers Festival, giving inexperienced puppeteers, third grade through adult, the opportunity to create and present original puppet productions in a festival setting, with consultations and critiques. Other outreach programs include the West Liberty Children’s Festival, the Summer Parade Project (local residents help build giant puppets for the annual County Fair parade), and, annually since 2002, community performances featuring local and area adults as puppeteers and musicians.
Visit Owl Glass Puppetry Center virtually!
More from Eulenspiegel
Announcements
2024 is Eulenspiegel's 50th Birthday!
Eulenspiegel turns 50 in 2024! Help us celebrate all year long with a birthday party, happy hours featuring vintage Eulenspiegel…-
WHAT'S NEW?
Be sure to check out the NEW BOOK by our Managing Director and Lead Puppeteer Monica Leo (co-authored by our…