Le Theatre de Marionette is a marionette theater and production company that began in Arlington, Texas and, later, moved to Dallas, Texas. The theater, which caters to festivals, amusement parks, libraries and museums operated both in a physical location (Geppetto's Marionette Theater in Dallas) and as a touring group.
- Venue
- Le Theatre de Marionette
- Town
- Dallas, US
Le Theatre de Marionette is a marionette theater and production company that began in Arlington, Texas and, later, moved to Dallas, Texas. The theater, which caters to festivals, amusement parks, libraries and museums operated both in a physical location (Geppetto's Marionette Theater in Dallas) and as a touring group. Today, Le Théâtre produces over 200 performances annually and maintains an inventory of hundreds of handcrafted marionettes, each built with meticulous detail and designed for both intimate and large-stage environments. Supported in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts, Le Théâtre continues to expand its reach through touring, residencies, and large-scale installations, positioning itself as one of the leading marionette production companies in the United States. The theatre opened in Arlington, Texas, in 1992. The theater was founded by John Hopkins, a former puppeteer with Sid and Marty Krofft Television and Six Flags Over Texas, and Pady Blackwood, of Howdy Doody fame and former Bil Baird artist. The theater was created by converting the former Greyhound bus station in downtown Arlington into a miniature stage that housed a bridge stage with a fly rail system, seating for 80 persons, concession counter, and a small retail gift shop. The theater catered to families and children, as well as welcomed child care organizations, schools field trips, and other youth organizations. Unlike most theaters, the company structure was for profit. The primary income source for the theater was ticket sales derived through group bookings. The shows the first season included Hansel and Gretel, Aladdin, and The Wizard of Oz. Although popular with local families, the theater experienced a sluggish start. In the 4th year of operation, the landlord raised the rent and the theater became financially unstable when sales stalled during non-peak seasons. In 1995, an agreement was made to move the theater to Dallas, and the Arlington location closed in 1996. === Le Theat