The Fremont Troll

During our trip to Seattle puppeteer Rob D'Arc (see previous posts) gave us a great walking tour of Fremont, an arts neighborhood in Seattle. He took us to the rocket ship, the Lenin statue, the center of the universe and main attraction, the Fremont Troll. This concrete troll stands 18 feet tall and lurks under the Aurora bridge. He was created by local artists with the support of the Fremont Arts Council. Every October 31th the troll is celebrated with Trollaween, a mobil party that starts under the bridge and moves through the streets of Fremont.

The Merry Flea

This is The Merry Flea also made by Seattle based puppeteer Rob D'Arc. He was made for the upcoming show Archy and Mehitabel.

Archy the Cockroach

This is Archy the Cockroach made by Seattle based puppeteer Rob D'Arc. He was created for the upcoming show, Archy and Mehitabel. I really love this puppet's unique look and asymmetrical design.

Rob D'Arc

Rob started in puppetry as a walking puppet stage for Knott's Berry Farm, and a puppet "boothie" at the Renaissance Pleasure Fair. In 1987, he founded Kidstuff Puppet Theater in Riverside, California. For 14 years he coordinated all elements of production, and created and performed over 30 original shows.

Rob currently tours with his puppet shows and his neo-vaudevillian act, Professor Humbug's Flea Circus, which can be seen on sunny weekends at Seattle's famous Pike's Place Market.

Click here to read his whole bio.

Giant Parade Puppet Ant

This giant ant puppet was made by Rob D'Arc for the Fremont Solstice Parade. The parade sponsored by the Fremont Arts Council relies on volunteers to make the parade happen. Planning begins in late winter, and by May people are organizing ensembles, gathering materials, getting floats prepared and more.

Dino Pop Up Puppet

This dinosaur puppet is yet another Pop Up Puppet by Rob D'Arc. Back in 1999 Rob wrote an article for the Puppetry Journal showing how to make a Pop Up Puppet in four easy steps - complete with a simple pattern. If you want to buy a Pop Up Puppet check out www.planetofthePuppets.com.

Pop Up Scrooge

This Ebenezer Scrooge Pop Up Puppet by Rob D'Arc was made for a pop up version of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol.

Lion Pop Up Puppet

Rob D'Arc's Pop Up Puppets come in a range of sizes, colors, and categories. The lion is is part of the Jungle Creatures collection. His web site features other collections including, farm animals, clowns, woodland land creatures, pets, holidays, mythical beasts and custom puppets.

Blue Dragon Pop Up Puppet

Rob D'Arc first got the idea for the Pop Up Puppet while waiting in line at a Puppeteers of America Festival. A fellow puppeteer, Duke Krause, showed Rob a simple creation made from two tongue depressor with a face drawn on the front. Rob took that initial concept and dressed it up a little. With Duke's blessing Rob developed some designs, created some prototypes and together, they named them Pop-up Puppets. In 1998 Duke passed away, but his legacy of the Pop-up Puppet lives on.

Click here to read more about Pop Up Puppets.

Pike Place Market

A trip to Seattle would not be complete with out a visit to the world famous Pike Place Market. The market now in it's 100th year features fresh produce, flying fish, and hand made crafts. As a puppeteer and puppet builder, I was thrilled to find Planet of the Puppet - a vendor selling hand made "pop up" puppets.



The pop up puppets were the creation of Rob D'Arc a puppeteer and puppet builder that I had met years ago at a Puppeteers of America Festival - small world. His puppets are made from fun foam and popsicle sticks. The designs are imaginative and colorful. At his booth he was selling pop up puppets of all shapes and sizes.