Puppets
St. Albans
Owner Tara Barton with “The Creek Critters”
and staff of Sassafrass Junction Puppet
Theater pose for a photo with some of their
young fans.
Historic Olde Main Plaza in St. Albans is home to a brand-new theater geared
toward the younger audience. Located across the street from Alban Arts and
Conference Center, Sassafrass Junction Puppet Theater was born when some friends
who had been presenting puppet shows at children’s parties decided that the furry,
friendly creatures needed a place to call home.
Tara Barton, who owns Sassafras Junction along with partners Chris Lilly and Ben
Leveque, said business has been great for the theater, which opened in November
2010. “We’re doing really well. We’re already in the black.”
Barton said she and her partners write and record their own shows, producing a new
show every six to seven weeks and sometimes taking the show on the road. “Our shows
celebrate Appalachian culture. Our characters ‘The Creek Critters,’ are quirky and fun.”
Martinsburg
Puppets line the hallway of
Wonderment Puppet Theater
Tucked into a colorful gingerbread
house in Martinsburg in the Eastern
Panhandle, Wonderment Puppet Theater
features hands-on puppet exhibits and a
puppet store as well as weekend shows.
Founder Joe Santoro, an elementary
school art teacher, had spent several
years traveling the state and performing
puppet shows at state parks and schools.
He opened Wonderment Puppet Theater
in 2008. Upcoming shows include “The
Elves and the Shoemaker” and “The
Nutty Nutcracker.”