Stevens Puppets accepted into Arkansas Arts Council!!!!!!!!!!

More very exciting news!!!!!!!!

Stevens Puppets is excited to let you know they have been accepted into The Arkansas Arts Council. Dan applied to the Arts Council in August and sent off all the application materials. Stevens Puppets was given the opportunity to audition in front of several state representatives.

Dan (and The Sleeping Beauty Marionettes) drove to Little Rock, AR, in November 2008, to appear in front of the audition committee. The state representatives asked alot of very good questions, and asked me to perform a 10 minute version of the puppets for them. The marionette demonstration was very well accepted. When I finished, the panel asked me several more questions, and then I left. The president of The Arts Council explaned that this would be a very prestigious honor to be accepted, and that I would hear from them within the next few weeks. Well, I heard 2 days later, and the answer was, "Congratulations, you have been accepted."

Was I nervous? You bet your bippy I was nervous. I NEVER get nervous in front of an audience, but for some reason I was shaking like a leaf. But I got through it. I survived.

Take care, and have a happy holiday season.
-Dan

The Nutcracker Ballet

Hello again.
Very exciting news. Stevens Puppets has been asked to create and perfom puppets for The Nutcracker Ballet. The puppets are beautiful, and very lifelike. They were created by master puppet maker Maggie Streib. The Nutcracker perfoms in Dec. 2008, in Bentonville, Arkansas. Mac Raynor will make his professional puppetery debut along side his father Dan Raynor during this production. Mac is also playing the part of Fritz (Clara's brother), and The Nutcracker Prince. The Production is being wonderfully staged by Catherine Kyle, owner of Classical Ballet Academy. Dan is also building a few of the large props/sets used in the ballet.