In 2026 celebrating 35 years of international engagement, StoneLion Puppet Theatre is a professional company using multiple styles of puppetry to bring stories to life and engage audiences of all ages with an emphasis on climate sustainability and kindness. From giant glowing spectacles to intimate small room interactions, we have something for everyone. Giant bugs! Tiny elephants! Flying birds! Toe-tapping original music! Audience interaction! StoneLion has toured internationally with literature-based work and highly acclaimed environmental performances such as Stellaluna, One Thousand Cranes and the Tree of Wishes, The Little Red Hen’s Community Garden, Backyard Buggin’, and Hannah the Helpful Hippo. Shows match core curriculum, hands-on workshops may be added on, and programs can be tailored to your needs.

Since 2016, StoneLion has been funded by the U.S. State Department as an Arts Envoy, training teachers overseas to use arts education in curriculum. Founding Artistic Director Heather Loewenstein has served as an artist in residence for dozens of universities, colleges, and high schools in scriptwriting, and puppet manipulation and building.

The Puppetry Arts Institute offers historical puppet shows/marionette theatre using a variety of styles of puppets (marionettes, hand puppets, shadow puppets). Currently two marionette shows are touring, “Lewis & Clark; A Dog’s Eyeview” and “Trouble on the Border: Order No. 11”. Shows last 30-45 minutes. discussion questions can be provided. Discussion of show content can follow performances. Two to three puppeteers are needed to perform our touring shows. These puppeteers have between 8 and 30 years of touring and performing experience. Our shows have received excellent reviews and some venues have rebooked us due to audience request and the success of our performances.

Paul Vandivort teaches workshops in puppet making and performance in schools, libraries, and summer camps. After learning the art of puppet making in The Heart of the Beast, and Bedlam Theaters in Minneapolis, Paul Vandivort has dedicated his life to the art of children’s performance. In the past 20+ years he has been performing puppet shows, and leading workshops in schools, libraries, summer camps, and at festivals throughout Missouri. Paul Vandivort offers a 30 minute performance followed by a 30 minute workshop in puppet building. Also, a 45 minute performance is available without the workshop. Each puppet show (story) is roughly 15 minutes (the 45 minute puppet show is made up of three stories). Stories available for hand puppet shows include: The Three Wishes, Pink Riding Hood, The Frog Prince, The Monster and the Baby, and The City Mouse, Country Mouse. Stories available for shadow puppets include: Who’s in Rabbit’s House, Wiley and the Hairy man, and Strength.

What if Puppets has been delighting audiences with their compelling storytelling performances since 1987, reaching over 20,000 people a year. What if Puppets performs throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, the United States, and internationally. What if Puppets creates and builds all their puppets in-house, reflecting a diverse and colorful array of puppet characters and works. Additionally, the award-winning company offers integrated residencies, workshops, and professional development programs to various elementary schools, preschools, and other organizations that focus on socio-emotional learning and kindergarten readiness through the puppetry arts.

Available touring performances include these shows:

Premium Shows (45 minutes, built with K-2nd grade audiences in mind):
T-Rex Took My Toothbrush
Shiver Me Paintbrush
How to Snag a Sea Monster
Cirque du Wiener Dog

Compact Shows (30 minutes, built with PreK audiences in mind):
Jingle Jamboree
The Little Half Chicken
Little Red Riding Hood
Ringo’s Sing Along Road Trip

Clement McCrae Puppet Shows – Performing memorable and unique puppet shows that create a sense of wonder and fun. A not-just-for-kids puppet show geared with both adults and children in mind. Presentation times run between 45 minutes to an hour depending on need. This includes a 30 minute show with an additional demonstration and participation for another 15 to 30 minutes. Our shows are perfect for company events, school assemblies, community festivals, private parties — all ages and all occasions. A professional marionette / puppet performing arts company with over 20 years of experience entertaining people with variety puppet shows that appeal to the whole family. We are continually credited at being able to hold the attention of all ages together in a single audience — something we are exceptionally proud of.