In Loving Memory · A Legacy in Puppetry
Where everystory came to life.
For decades, Wonderland Puppet Theater filled stages, classrooms, and living rooms with handmade puppets and quiet wonder. This site is a tribute to its founders as well as a companion to the exhibit of their work now on view in Chicago.
Now on Display
The puppets, on view in Chicago.
The handmade puppets, sets, and scripts of Wonderland Puppet Theater are currently on view in Chicago. The collection traces a lifetime of storytelling and displays the tools of two artists who believed live performance belonged to everyone, in every neighborhood.
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In Memoriam
Two women. One shared imagination.
Wonderland Puppet Theater was built and kept alive by two founders: Alice Swann and Nancy Schmale. Their devotion to puppetry shaped generations of young audiences. They sewed the puppets, wrote the scripts, painted the sets, and drove them to every school, library, and birthday party that would have them. This site, and the various national exhibits, exist because of them.
With gratitude, always.
Press & Exhibit inquiries
For press, exhibit questions, or to share a memory of The Wonderland Puppet Theater, we'd love to hear from you.
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