On tour across Florida. Sponsor a performance at a school, a library, or a public event.
Three Wishes on a Magic Fish
Monkey Tales
The Gingerbread Man
Peter Rabbit
Past Seasons’ Shows
Alice At PuppetWorld!
Alice looks forward to tea with the Mad Hatter and March Hare.
Three Billy Goats Gruff
MAKE PUPPETS TODAY!
Make Stick Puppets and Perform Today
We are making “Thimbelina” Puppets this week. You can make the stick puppets, stage set, and put on the show. The Big Blue Bird and Mr. Mole are waiting to meet tiny Thimbelina. Receive a new puppet workshop activity weekly from Now though May, 2020. Collect a set of stick puppets based on classic children’s stories.
Find Out About Upcoming Shows!
At Home & On Tour
Upcoming Free Hillsborough County
Library Performances
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Temple Terrace Library Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Ruskin Library Monday, June 24, 2024
Egypt Lake Library Thursday, July 25. 2024
Brandon Library Wednesday, July 31, 2024
CALL IN ADVANCE TO CONFIRM TIME & SEAT AVAILABILITY
From our past…PRINCESS THIMBELINA
“Thimbelina meets the hoppy green toad from France”.
“A Sparrowhawk teaches Thimbelina why to fly away for the winter.”
Looking at your next season’s bookings? Please call to hold a special date. Call Jerry at 813-659-0659 or email for info on booking for our 2018-19 season national tour. Already booked your date? Go to Presenter’s page.
All Dates and Locations Subject to Change
Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre gladly accepts additional engagements throughout the touring season. Most requests may be accommodated by linking with the existing schedule.
Please telephone your local arts agency, call our studios at 813-659-0659 or email us for the latest calendar information.
Tampa Bay’s PuppetWorld Playhouse
There’s always something going on at Bits ‘N Pieces Theatre’s PuppetWorld™ Playhouse. It’s where marionettes, rod puppets, and glove puppets come together to bring classic children’s tales to life.
Puppet shows based on classic children’s literature are presented throughout the year at PuppetWorld. Up to 60 people can be accommodated in the enchanting PuppetWorld Playhouse, where there’s ALWAYS a puppet show for you. It’s an ideal venue for school field trips and large groups. How to get to PuppetWorld.
$10.00 general admission, babies under 24 months free; school groups of 15+ should call (813) 659-0659 for discount info. Performances at PuppetWorld include show, puppet-making workshop and behind-the-scenes tour of Bits ‘N Pieces puppet-building studio where you can walk among our GIANT puppets. RESERVATIONS are STRONGLY SUGGESTED at PuppetWorld Playhouse.
Payment
You can make your reservations through our online ticket system and pay with:
CREDIT CARDS or PAYPAL when you buy your tickets online.
CASH or CHECKS ONLY at the door. Sorry, NO CREDIT CARDS at the door.
ALL ADVANCE TICKET SALES INCLUDE RESERVED SEATING in the rows with the best vantage point. Tickets purchased by credit card or checks received PRIOR to the performance date get the best seats in the house. Ticket sales at the door are general admission only.
Individuals, families and groups can call to arrange a performance any weekday.
Can’t Make It to PuppetWorld for a Show? We Bring the Show to You!
Most requests for performances can be reasonably accommodated. Find out how easy it is to bring a show to your event. Email jerry@puppetworld.com or call (813) 659-0659 for information on how to schedule a performance at your location.
Groups should contact us prior to performance for purchases.
Checks should be made payable to Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre and mailed to us at 12904 Tom Gallagher Road, Dover, FL 33527.
Tampa Bay Calendar
FREE PERFORMANCES This Summer in Hillsborough County Libraries
Temple Terrace Library Tuesday, June 18. 2024
Ruskin Library Monday, June 24. 2024
Egypt Lake Library Thursday, July 25. 2024
Brandon Library Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Call the Library to Confirm Time and Seating
Call us year-round to arrange a special in-school field trip date-Or arrange for a show at your location. We make it easy to bring a show to you! Contact us! Call 813-659-0659 or email jerry@puppetworld.com
About Bits ‘N Pieces
Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre is dedicated to influencing the world of tomorrow by enchanting the children of today. Through the theatrical retelling of classic children’s stories, each with its own unique life lesson and moral, Bits ‘N Pieces brings to life the magical wonderment of children’s fantasy and reinforces the core values long told and emphasized by great storytellers.
The Great Travelin’ Show –
GIANT Puppets on National Tour
From script and design to actual building and choreography, it takes two years to produce one complete giant puppet production. Yet, each season, Bits ‘N Pieces continues to bring forth a new musical production of high quality children’s theatre. Shows featuring the magical nine-foot-tall puppets may be seen in a variety of venues and settings during the touring season. The company tours extensively throughout the United States and makes international appearances under the sponsorships of cultural exchange programs with Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.
PuppetWorld™ Playhouse –
Home to Tampa Bay Puppet Shows
Thousands of children have experienced the art of puppetry with Bits ‘N Pieces’ Master Puppeteers at the beautiful PuppetWorld Playhouse since its opening. Traditional puppet shows based on classic children’s literature are presented throughout the year with a full repertory of puppetry styles from around the world including hand puppets, marionettes, rod puppets, and shadow puppets. In addition to performance and workshop space, the facility gives visitors an up close look at the GIANT puppet exhibition and puppet-building studios. It’s an ideal venue for school field trips and large groups. Can’t make it to PuppetWorld? We’ll bring a show to you. Call (813) 659-0659 to arrange a performance at your location.
Arts In Education Programs
Each of our musical productions is adapted and specifically developed to complement and enhance the educational curriculum of the nation’s elementary school systems. Education booklets are made available to sponsors to supplement that community’s teachers’ plans. Bits ‘N Pieces also offers a variety of workshops and residencies for teachers and students as hands-on learning experiences. More information on workshops and residencies.
Award Winning
Bits ‘N Pieces’ combination of imagination, artistry, and hard work have made it an award-winning representative of Florida arts at home and abroad. Recognition of its achievements include:
The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games’ Cultural Olympiad’s Regional Designation Award for Innovation and Excellence in the Arts
The Arts Council of Hillsborough County’s Award for Excellence in Arts Education
The award-winning Art Off the Wall television series about artistic process (see the video on our YouTube channel) featuring Artistic Director and Master Puppet Builder Holli Rubin
The Florida Theatre Conference Distinguished Career Award in Children’s/Youth Theatre presented to Executive Director Jerry Bickel.
International Cultural Exchanges
Bits ‘N Pieces first participated in international cultural exchange programs in 1988 – the same year it began presenting international puppetry artists to children in Florida. Since then, we’ve traveled to countries throughout Europe and Asia presenting our unique form of American artistry.
2010, Czech Republic, World Association of Puppeteers Assembly (Director, Public Relations)
2009, Japan, NyuDouGuMo Theatre, Love and Courage Tour
2009, Czech Republic, Juror, 12th International Festival of Puppet Arts (Prague)
2008, Czech Republic, Juror, 11th International Festival of Puppet Arts (Prague)
2007, Czech Republic, World Association of Puppeteers Assembly (North American Councilor)
2005, Czech Republic, 9th International Festival of Puppet Arts (Prague)
2003, Czech Republic, 7th International Festival of Puppet Arts (Prague)
1999, Germany, Munich Kinder und Jugend Museum
1998, Germany, Exhibit 2000! Conference presentation and workshops
1996, Japan, NyuDouGuMo Theatre, Love and CourageTour
1995, Taiwan, ROC, Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center
1994, Japan, NyuDouGuMo Theatre, Love and Courage Tour
1993, Japan, NyuDouGuMo Theatre, Love and Courage Tour
1992, Taiwan, ROC, Puppet Festival of Asian-Pacific Rim Area
1991, Taiwan, ROC, China Youth Corps Residency
1990, Trinidad, West Indies, Rainbow People Tour
1989, Hong Kong, Caption Festival
1988, Singapore, Youth Arts Festival
Our International Guests
2007, NyuDouGuMo Theatre, Japan
2005, Linders Butterflies & Company, Belgium
2000, NyuDouGuMo Theatre, Japan
1999, The Forman Brothers, Czech Republic
1995, NyuDouGuMo Theatre, Japan
1994, NyuDouGuMo Theatre, Japan
1993, I-Yuan Puppet Theatre, Taiwan, ROC
1992, Mr. Yang Feng, Fujian Province, China
1992, Puppet Theatre Bacu, Azerbaijan (USRR)
1991, I-Yuan Puppet Theatre, Taiwan, ROC
1990, Rainbow People Children’s Theatre, Trinidad, West Indies
1988, Mr. Masaji Teresawa, Japan
Support Bits ‘N Pieces
Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization. We rely on contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and public agencies to sustain our programs today and to ensure our future. If you would like to make a contribution to Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre, we appreciate your donation. Please contact us.
