Here are some of the teachers slated for our August 2010 event.

Jill Harrington

For more than two decades Jill Harrington has served as “head royal servant” for the castle quarters of Prince Puppets, Inc.; a multi-faceted performance team. This non-profit organization reaches thousands of children through school assemblies, festivals, churches and kids crusades.

Jill is also director of Metro Children’s Outreach, a special ministry to Pittsburgh’s inner-city children.  This outreach program provides a weekly sidewalk Sunday school “Kid’s Kingdom Adventure” which ministers to hundreds of urban children.

"Lady Jill" toils within the castle workshop creating handmade puppets (she is also responsible for fighting dragons and cleaning the moat.)

With helpful hints and tips from...

David Messick

As a child, David Messick remembers being mesmerized the first time he saw a live touring theater production as it visited the area. "That’s what I want to do!" And that’s what he did.

The multifaceted leader of Rainbow Productions has worked for a National touring theater company, developed characters and commercials for Chuck E. Cheese and assisted the late Jim Henson in presenting rare Italian puppets at the New Orleans World’s Fair.  With Audience Studies, Inc, (now Ipsos-ASI) he has supervised and managed many market research projects for programs on the Disney Channel, NBC and FOX.   He is a Values Nominee for the Tribune Company where he manages market research and development.

As a producer/choreographer/director, David has worked with Tony Award winning actors and has presented dinner theater and regional productions of such Broadway hits as "Fiddler on the Roof,"  "Grease," "Sound of Music,"  "West Side Story,"  "The Apple Tree,"   and multiple touring editions of Victor Herbert's "Babes in Toyland."

His original musicals have toured to schools, libraries, and theaters across Virginia and elsewhere.  Through Young Audiences of Virginia and Rainbow Puppets, his work is seen by tens of thousands of children and their families a year.

He has also choreographed award winning teams of tap dancers and been recognized as a talented writer and composer of children’s musicals. In 1996 he was elected President of The Puppet Arts Center of Virginia, an organization dedicated to celebrating puppet history and artistry.  He has taught classes for Puppeteers of America and Fellowship of Christian Puppeteers National Conventions as well as for the Governor's Commission fo Education.  His musical "The Wright Brothers" was selected to perform in Washington D.C. for a world wide contingient of Aviation Museum Directors and his musical, "The Amazing Adventures of Chessie the Manatee" was selected to perform at this year's Young Audiences National Convention.

His latest productions have included performances by legendary performers including Oscar-winner Mickey Rooney, Tony-winner Carol Channing, and Grammy-winner Bruce Hornsby.

Steve Scheffler

As a man of many talents, Steve Scheffler is just the man you’re looking for.  As a singer, Steve has been in the entertainment business since he was twelve years old.  Performing both in bands and as a solo performer, Steve played guitar, wrote, produced (all arrangements & orchestration) and sang his own songs, as well as those of other artists, then crossed into the production end of the business when asthma forced him to cut back on performing.

Steve is the principal audio producer for Rainbow Puppets.  On the left, that's Steve with Meinhardt Raabe, a munchkin from the 1939 "Wizard of Oz."  Meinhardt recorded some dialogue for some upcoming Rainbow Puppet productions.

 Since 2001, some of Steve’s focus shifted to video.  As a videographer and video editor, Steve’s flair for entertaining lends itself to creating some truly remarkable videos.  He films in both high-definition and standard-definition and does all his own editing.  Plus, Steve can transfer all your old 8mm or Super8 home movies to DVD, can create videos for streaming for the internet and make Powerpoint presentations.

Steve can videotape any special occasion - birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, bar-mitzvahs/bat-mitzvahs, award ceremonies, and presentations of any kind - and help you create treasured memories for years to come.

REGISTER NOW!

Previous years instructors:

Here is a list of some of the teachers who have joined us in the past.  Our thanks to them for making each year a success!

Craig T. Adams

That's Craig on the right.  To the left is one of the puppets he created for Rainbow Productions.  This is the angel from our nativity program.   Craig also created the popular Blue Crabs which sing in the "Chessie" show.  Most recently, he completed a group of fish for the dinosaur show.

Craig T. Adams is an actor, puppeteer, scenic designer, writer and television personality, who earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Children's Theatre from the University of Utah in 1977, receiving the department award for outstanding contributions to children's theatre.

Under the name of "Fuzz and Stuffing Puppets," he and partner Debra A. Burrell have created special educational programs for the American Heart Association of Virginia, the Cousteau Society and Response: Sexual Assault Support Services. They also performed the "Kids on the Block" disability puppet shows in the Hampton Roads area.

Adams worked as puppeteer and special costume designer on the award-winning "Raisin' Up" nutrition series for WHRO-TV, and won a design award for "Bay Country Folklore," a one-act play performed by the Discovery Players of Maryland, one of six touring productions he built
for that company.

He has performed at the International Children's Festival at Wolf Trap, Pete Seeger's "Clearwater, Great Hudson River Revival", the Chrysler and Hermitage museums, the Virginia Science, Marine Science, and Living Museums, as well as festivals, schools, and malls in Virginia.

Most notable are nine consecutive years of Christmas holiday performances (about 800 shows, total) at what is now Newmarket Fair Mall in Newport News. Since 1980, he has made regular appearances on the Dr. Madblood's Movie television show, as puppeteer and cast member, writer, producer and prop builder.

From 1990 through 1994, he appeared as "Sylvester T. Fox" in the "Club 33" Fox Kids Club on WTVZ-TV. He teaches stagecraft at Norfolk Academy and is currently touring Virginia with "Clear the Air," a solo puppet program on second-hand smoke awareness, commissioned by the American Lung Association of Virginia.

Craig T. Adams is a member of Puppeteers of America, Puppet Art Center of Virginia, Virginians For The Arts and the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads.

Jason Wiedel

Jason currently works as Youth Minister and Director of Creative Ministries for New Harvest Christian Life Ministries in Surry, Virginia where he writes, directs, and performs puppetry and live drama programs. Jason also works as a professional children’s entertainer. He presents over 200 shows each year performing puppetry, magic, stories, and songs for audiences at schools, libraries, and other special events all over the state of Virginia.

Jason’s interest in performing began as a young teenager hanging around at the local magic store. Through the years he learned a lot from local entertainers as well as from some of the best in the country.

In 1994 Jason attended a Youth With a Mission School in Lindale, Texas. This involved touring the western part of the country, visiting and helping out local churches along the way. Here Jason began growing his talent for skit writing and presenting challenging dramas as a ministry tool.

After this school, Jason returned to Surry where he began to more actively peruse children’s entertainment. His shows quickly became a huge success with library summer reading programs. He also worked as a historical entertainer for Colonial Williamsburg for two years.

In 1996 Jason began working with David Messick and Rainbow Puppet Productions. This company produces some of the finest puppet shows in the state. With Rainbow, Jason has had the opportunity to perform in a variety of innovative productions all over Virginia and the surrounding states.

Over the years Jason has studied in the areas of clowning, magic, mime, acting, juggling, ventrilloquism, and puppetry.

In 1998 Jason wrote The Drama Ministry Stuff Handbook. In 2000 he wrote Tricks and Tips for Powerful Performance and I’m Sick of Church, a collection of ministry skits.

Jason is committed to excellence in his performance and presentation, and to helping others become the very best that they can be.

Dave Hill

Performing for over 20 years, Dave has gone from novice clown to full-time business owner, speaker, and notorious comedy performer. Some say he's genius, others say he's just sick. Dave's motto:  "If you can't have fun, you might as well stay at home."

Dave (aka The Almost Amazing Rex/Rex The Wonder Clown) has entertained audiences small & large for companies such as Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse, Lennox China, 98 Lumber, RJ Reynolds, AT&T, Wal-Mart, etc. From intimate parties to company picnics to Grand Openings and banquet shows, Dave is in demand.

A long time member of the Berkeley Civitan Clowns, Dave donates countless hours both to entertain and raise money for the mentally & developmentally disabled. He is instrumental in keeping fellow clowns abreast of the latest news in the clowning industry.

His business, Balloons & Clowns, began 10 years ago as a small store front business specializing in balloon deliveries & birthday parties; it now comprises a retail balloon shop, gift store, and entertainment agency which keeps 6 to 8 local performers busy year round. The mail order division provides entertainers world wide with balloons, magic, & clown supplies. Beginning only 5 years ago, today it generates considerable annual sales from a 2000 square foot warehouse, and is growing by leaps and bounds.

In addition to entertaining, Dave also shares his experience through teaching. Dave is a featured speaker at magic and clown conventions across the US & Canada. A member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, Clowns of America International, and World Clown Association, he has presented at national and regional events.

Terry Whittenton

Rev. Terry Whittenton, a.k.a. Whitle-Do, has been involved in full-time ministry for over 20 years. Terry served as a pastor for 14 years before starting the golden opportunity of ministering to children through clowning. He has had the opportunity to be a presenter for Arts In Ministry, Circus Magic, FCP, CPC, Southern Baptist Children's Festival and several denominational seminars. He travels full-time as a children's evangelist.

 Terry served as the teen director for the Fellowship of Christian Puppeteers national convention. His travels have allowed him to minister in seven states and eight different denominations. His heart is to help train others to effectively minister to children with a mentality of excellence. The father of two beautiful daughters, he understands the importance of ministering to children and implanting values, morals, and faith in them while young. The joy of his ministry has been to see over 2500 children, adults and teens come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.   On a personal note, he wants to raise the level of clowning and challenge those involved to be the best they can be.

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith is Director of Salt & Light Ministries based near Richmond, VA. After graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1980, Jeff spent eight years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. Besides various military awards and decorations, Jeff was selected Best Male Vocalist in Major Army Commands in 1982, 1983 and 1985. In 1985 and again in 1987, he was selected to tour with the All-Army Soldier's Show which toured the US, Europe and the Far East. While stationed at FT Lee he held leads in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "King and I", "Grease", "Pippin", and "I Do! I Do!".

In May of 1988, he resigned his commission to start Salt & Light Ministries. Since then, Jeff and his wife Debbie have recorded three albums, written, produced and directed several original full length musicals for the church, produced a series of movement videos for drama ministries in the church, published a children's video, and have had several dramatic works published. In 1991, he was the Grand Prize Winner for Drama at the Christian Artist's Seminar at Estes Park, Colorado, and a finalist in the vocal categories from 1989 - 1991. Since then he has held positions as the Director of Creative Arts at Cornerstone Church in Chester, VA, Director of Church Drama Festival for CITA (Christians In Theater Arts), and Director of the Central Virginia Christian Talent Search .

His sketches, "The Blind Man" and "The Blame Game" have won international acclaim to include Best Sketch at the CITA sketchwriting competition in 1999 and 2000. In 1995, he was recognized as an honor graduate from Regent University, where he finished his MA degree in Script and Screenwriting. He is a clinician and performer at international, national, and state conferences and festivals. Jeff resides in Richmond, VA, with his wife Debbie and their two sons, Benjamin and Samuel.

Liz VonSeggen

Liz VonSeggen is currently Director of New Product Development at One Way Street, Inc. in Englewood, Colorado. She has taught all ages from preschool to college, specializing with speech, drama, English and foreign languages.

Liz is an accomplished ventriloquist and was named Ventriloquist of the Year by the International Association of Ventriloquists at Vent Haven in 1991. She co-produced and is featured in two video teaching tapes "Fun With Ventriloquism" and "Fun With Character Voices." She has taught seminars at dozens of conferences in the areas of puppetry, ventriloquism, drama, clowning, mime, and other creative teaching methods.

In addition to accompanying her husband Dale on several international trips, she has appeared on the 100 Huntley Street television program in Toronto, Ontario and on numerous radio talk shows nationwide demonstrating her character voices. Liz currently serves on the Board of Advisors of the Vent Haven Museum, and was secretary of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians for many years.

Dale and Liz have written and published over 200 puppet and ventriloquism scripts since founding One Way Street in 1974. They co-authored the book "Puppets: Ministry Magic", and co-produced the best-selling video "Reaching and Teaching with Puppets." They have also published many children's church teaching units, plus dozens of other cassettes, videos, puppet script packets, and teaching visuals.  In addition to teaching during every session, she will perform Friday night.

Laura Huff

Laura has worked with Rainbow both onstage and behind the scenes.  She was one of the original puppeteers for our "Chessie" production. As a puppet maker, she has lent her considerable talents to many of our programs.  Her creations include the loveable, but misguided Bub in Chessie.  For the Noah show, she created the memorable elephants as well as Henny the Hen and Barry and Bertha the Beavers. 

Perhaps her most challenging assignment was the "Dinosaur Show" where she created the huge Wooly Mammoth, the 16 foot long Dipolodocus,the horn blowing Parasaurolophus, the cave man, and the mamma and baby Maiasaura.

Steve Kissell

Steve Kissell has been performing for 25 years at conventions, schools, churches, libraries, birthday and holiday parties. He also shares the performing arts of clowning, comedy magic, and storytelling. He is a co-producer of Circus Magic and is the director of Comedy Magic Workshop and Kentucky Clown Derby.

He has performed and presented at Magi-Fest, International Festival of Children's Magicians, IBM ring (Rome, Italy), Ipswich Magical Society ( England), Clown Camp, Fellowship of Christian Magicians, Clown Fest, Clowns of America International, Mountain Madness, Kentucky Clown Derby, Circus Magic, North East Clown Convention, Arts in Ministry, Mid-Atlantic Clown Convention, Comedy College, Kapital Klowns Workshop, Academy of Clown Arts, Southwest Regional & Southeast Clown Association, Laugh Makers, Puerto Rico Convention of Clowns, Fellowship of Christian Puppeteers, Pittsburgh Performing Arts Ministries, Gospel Impact,  National Creative Arts Festival, Magic Castle, Comedy Magic Workshop, and One Way Street Puppetry Fest.

Duane Laflin

Duane is a an accomplished magician from Troy, Montanta.  He performs and teaches for thousands each year.  We have always been impressed with Duane's professionalism onstage and his abilty to pass that showmanship on to others.  He's such a great teacher that for the first time in our five year history, we're devoting the entire first session solely to his care.  We believe that once you've taken a class from Duane... and taken his teachings to heart, your performances will never be the same again.

David Pannabecker

David is truly a master puppet maker.  Once you've held and operated a Pannabecker puppet, you'll know why so many professional puppeteers turn to him for help.  David will teach a full day's workshop devoted to creating a complete and beautiful cartoon puppet character.

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Last modified: 01/31/12