People 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. Holli was profiled in Off the Wall, an national, award-winning series about artists and their process. Holli is also the company’s Arts-in-Education specialist. she develops and leads all Bits ‘N Pieces’ on-site arts-in-education workshops, programs and residencies presented on tour and at home in Tampa.
Our Board of Directors
- Jerry Bickel
- Betsy Isaac
- Rhonda Nelson
- Holli Rubin
Additional Thanks
- Robert Anthony, Puppet Mechanics
- Jerrod Bogard, Guest Artist
- Ralph Brown, Bits ‘N Pieces Logo
- Pegg Callahan, Music Composer
- Irwin Webb, Music Composer
- Reginald Yates, Choreography
- Rick Costello, Choreography
- Bill DeLoach, Music Arranger & Midi Recorder
- Ford Bond Studio, Production Photography
- Gandy Studio, Bob Marshall, Photography
- Patty Gray, Costuming
- Kimie Radke, Japan Coordinator
- Scott Hilley, Vocals
- Theodore Hoffman, Music Composer
- Steve Isaac, Web Consultant
- John Lott, Technical Direction
- Chuck Majewski, Graphic Artist
- Sharon Reed, Puppet Mechanics
- Elizabeth Paramore, Accounting
- Mike & Myrna Rubin, Workshop Assistance
- Terri Simons, Communications
- Sandra and Randall Tucker, Costuming
- Dan Wehr, Vocals
- Kent White, Exhibition Photography