The Starlight Puppet Theatre

Tiny Stage. Big Magic

A brand traveling venue by Starry Night Productions

The Starlight Puppet Theatre is a brand new, magical little theater on wheels built for big stories and curious audiences. This June, it officially makes its debut at the Denver Fringe Festival, launching a new chapter of roaming, puppet-powered adventure. Designed to pop up in unexpected places, Starlight is all about wonder, storytelling, and meeting audiences right where they are.

OUR COLORADO ARTISTS

The project includes two resident artists, Thompson Powers and Katy Williams, who are creating original works especially for the Starlight Puppet Theatre. We are also welcoming four emerging artists into our 2026 Puppet Cohort. These artists will receive paid performance opportunities alongside hands-on professional training, mentorship, and production support throughout the summer of 2026, learning how to take a puppet show from spark of an idea to fully realized performance.

Are you interested in joining our cohort? Applications are open through March 1, 2026!

APPLY FOR THE COHORT

Our Artists

Collaborators

Nov 3

AMBER BLAIS

Starry Night Producing Director

Amber Blais is Founder and Producing Director of Starry Night Productions (formerly Rainbow Militia Circus), and has over 15 years of PR, marketing, donor relations, theater, event planning and production experience. Her most recent role was working in collaboration with ownership to build the entertainment program from the ground up for the iconic Casa Bonita Denver.

Nov 18

FRONZO GILKEY, II

Starry Night Education Director

Born and raised in Colorado, Fronzo Gilkey II was introduced to the arts at a young age. He is inspired by exploration in various mediums to which he can contribute and has dipped his toes into writing, devising, teaching, production, & performance. He also serves as the Director of Operations for his company “Dyfferent Media”, which looks to create art that is grounded in belonging & leaves the viewer feeling a greater sense of connection with others, as well as themselves.

Jan 19

TOM VARANI

Starry Night Productions World Builder

Tom Varani’s artistic works span genres from large scale kinetic sculpture, through painted murals and canvases, into lightly-sketched-photo-realistic portraits.

Mar 25

KATY WILLIAMS

Puppeteer

Katy Williams is a Colorado based puppeteer, fabricator, producer, and director. Katy loves all puppetry, and specializes in life like large scale creatures, suitcase crankies, and front facing shadow puppetry. Her mission is to spread the joy and accessibility of puppetry in the Rocky Mountains, and she has been extremely influential in implementing puppetry in theatres all over Colorado.

Jul 7

THOMPSON POWERS

Puppeteer

Thompson Powers is a Denver-based comedian, puppeteer, and jack-of-all trades who has created iconic shows and characters for local institutions Meow Wolf, Casa Bonita, Denver Zoo, and Rise Comedy. Thompson’s PreTend Friend Show, provided six seasons of original live productions to introduce kids of all ages to the art of storytelling, audience etiquette, and live theater.

CONNECTION WHERE YOU ARE

At its heart, our Starlight Puppet Theatre is about access, joy, and connection. We offer free performances in low-income neighborhoods, bringing imaginative, high-quality puppet shows to parks, plazas, and community spaces. No tickets, no barriers, just stories, laughter, and a little bit of magic showing up where it is needed most.

The Starlight Puppet Theatre can go anywhere! Do you have an event coming up that you would like our puppets to play?

Where will we be next?

BRING THE THEATRE TO YOU!

Join us as we travel throughout Colorado! To get the latest news, take a moment to join our mail list!

Upcoming Events

Feb 1

The 2026 Puppet Cohort Applications

APPLY HERE

Applications for the 2026 Starlight Puppet Theatre Cohort are OPEN!

Presented by Starry Night Productions, the 2026 Starlight Puppet Cohort is a collaborative program for artists creating original puppet-based work, culminating in public performances across Denver.

For any questions, please email info@ostarrynight.com

Jun 5

Starlight Puppet Theatre at Denver Fringe Festival

The Starlight Puppet Theatre makes its debut at the Denver Fringe Festival as a brand new, magical little stage built just for big imaginations. Designed as a home for Kids’ Fringe performances and a playful venue for Fringe Shorts, this charming pop-up puppet theatre invites audiences of all ages to step into a world of storytelling, wonder, and delight. Come for the puppets, stay for the joy, and catch a glimpse of a theater that is ready to roam far beyond the festival.

Jul 10

First Friday Jazz at Curtis Park feat. Starry Night Performers

First Friday Jazz in the Park returns to Sonny Lawson Park May-Oct. 2026 featuring Starry Night Performers/

Join Curtis Park Neighbors for a wonderful evening featuring live music and good vibes.

Aug 7

First Friday Jazz at Curtis Park feat. Starry Night Performers

First Friday Jazz in the Park returns to Sonny Lawson Park May-Oct. 2026 featuring Starry Night Performers/

Join Curtis Park Neighbors for a wonderful evening featuring live music and good vibes.

Sep 4

First Friday Jazz at Curtis Park feat. Starry Night Performers

First Friday Jazz in the Park returns to Sonny Lawson Park May-Oct. 2026 featuring Starry Night Performers/

Join Curtis Park Neighbors for a wonderful evening featuring live music and good vibes.