Puppeteers Anne Sawyer and Amy Ballestad along with musician Laura Harada, founded Magic Lantern Puppet Theater in 2000.
Magic Lantern's mission is to create and perform high-quality shadow puppet presentations with live music, and to make those shows accessible to all.
Some other artists who have lent their talents to Magic Lantern in the past are New York performer/director Lisa Abbatomarco, Willis Bowman (Barebones Productions) Tracy Yue, Joel Walther, Sam Adams, Rachel "Olli" Johnson (Full Moon Puppet Cabaret, Bedlam) Reid Knuttila, Jennifer Weaverling, Tara Fahey, Janaki Ranpura, Julie Boada, Jessica Tweet, Gustavo Boada, Alison Heimstead, Seth Eberle, Matt Larson, Jim Parker, and Laura Wilhelm.
The group does not perform regularly or have an annual budget; rather, the artists come together for specific projects. The Tale of Fatima the Spinner (2000) and Parvatibai, The Cleverest Woman in India (2002) were color shadow puppet shows of folk tales. The purpose of these shows was to educate in an entertaining way and bring theater to kids who might not have access.
The shows were presented with support from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the Blake Foundation to groups such as the YWCA, Lino Lakes East Juvenile Correctional Facility, and St. Joseph's Home for Children.
Productions
click an image for more info
Three Tales, One World
In 2017 and 2018 Julie Boada, Gustavo Boada and Anne Sawyer presented three short folk tales from Mexico, Myanmar and Somalia featuring shadow, rod and felted puppets.
Children and Other Optical Illusions
In 2010, Magic Lantern presented its most ambitious project to date at Dreamland Arts in St. Paul. It was the first show the group did that was intended for adults.
Nalah Goes to Mad Mouse City
In 2014, Magic Lantern created a sequel book and show for the adventures of Nalah. One day Nalah finds herself bored and lonesome because all of her imaginary friends have gone away on vacation.
Nalah and the Pink Tiger
This one woman show was created in 2012 and toured until 2020. It was based on a picture book of the same title by puppeteer Anne Sawyer. She drew inspiration for this story from her lively little niece.
Bate Bate Chocolate
In 2007, Magic Lantern created an original bilingual puppet show called Bate Bate Chocolate for the Heart of the Beast’s Saturday Matinee series, and took it to various Spanish Immersion schools.
What Audiences had to say about Children and Other Optical Illusions
"I loved the complexity, the juxtaposition of styles, the gorgeous puppets and props." -Dr. Deborah Rich, Fairview Pregnancy and Prenatal Loss
"An amazing job with a tricky subject...well written and the performances were excellent. It was honest and very engaging. The mix of the gut wrenching, naturalistic scenes and the side trips with the brain worked very well...an excellent piece of theatre." -Kurt Hunter, Former President of Puppeteers of America and Founder of Hunter Marionettes.
"I want to say how fantastic I thought your play was. It was very moving and funny and sad and hopeful. Infertility and miscarriage affect so many people so much and yet we rarely see any dramatic or artistic treatment of them. Your play felt very honest and I think it was brave and wonderful of you to share your experience." -Audience member
"Children and Other Optical Illusions moves quietly forward with care and intelligence. The show's insights flow freely,and they soak in heart to heart." -Diane Rains, Freshwater Pearls Puppetry