Bits N Pieces & PuppetWorld Current Programs

Four Glove Puppet Shows to See!

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

Bits 'N Pieces' Robin Hood Puppet Show

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.”

WANT THE LATEST ON WHERE WE’LL BE? Join our mailing list!


Presenters

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.

Our Traditional Puppet Shows

  • Georgie Grouper
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • Jack and the Beanstalk
  • Little Red Riding Hood
  • Robin Hood
  • Rumpelstiltskin
  • Selfish Giant
  • Three Wishes
  • Where is Santa?
  • Winter Tales

See Our Tampa Bay Calendar

PuppetWorld Tickets

$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.

See the individual show listing for the online ticket system links.

Advance Tickets

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

 

CLICK to receive our Puppet Newsletters

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.