The Ugly Duckling Available 2010-11 Season

Founders of Bits 'N Pieces

JERRY BICKEL, Executive Director, Producer, Artist

Jerry Bickel, founder of the Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre in 1976, was the child who in 1959 dreamt of having his own puppet company. In addition to his performance talents, Jerry writes the script and lyrics for each show. His work has appeared in national and international puppetry festivals and has been presented in three languages. Since 1978 he has created, written and produced 11 original giant puppet musicals based on adaptations of favorite children’s tales and a dozen smaller works. He has developed 19 international cultural exchange projects.   

HOLLI RUBIN, Artistic Director, Master Puppet Builder, Actress

A graduate of the University of South Florida, Holli Rubin is the company’s performer extraordinaire and master puppet builder. Since 1977, she has created puppets for 16 productions, including 52 giant puppets for 11 shows. In addition she is responsible for costumes, maintenance of repertoire, tour management, dance director, training and sponsor relations.  Holli develops and leads all Bits 'N Pieces arts-in-education programs presented on tour as well. She has taken the company on 12 international tours to Asia and Europe. In 1998 she was profiled in Off the Wall, an national, award-winning series about artists and their process.

Additional Thanks 

The program and services of Bits 'N Pieces are sponsored in part by the Florida State Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Arts Council, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, Hillsborough County District Schools, National Endowment for the Arts, presenters across the United States, and You!