Meet the people behind the puppets!
Great puppet shows only happen with the dedicated work of hard-working, dedicated, and, well, let’s face it, somewhat strange people. Everyone in the company wears many hats. Puppeteers perform, travel, build things, break things, fix things, do workshops with people, do funny voices, memorize lines, improvise, and so much more. Most importantly, though, we show up on time with all of our equipment, ready to perform!
Heidi Rugg – Founder, Director, Writer, Fiber Artist, Puppeteer, Puppet Builder, and Set Designer
Puppeteering allows Heidi to integrate her fascination with stories, goofy voices, animals, prototyping, creativity, and writing with her love for art. She has devoted much energy these past few years to transforming her puppet building practice to be more sustainable. Working with wool, papier-mache, and other fibers, the puppets coming out of the studio nowadays are almost entirely biodegradable! Heidi also repurposes materials in her puppet-making and set-design work.
Heidi began building puppets in elementary school to fulfill visual aid requirements for book reports. Having already mastered the diorama, she dove into puppetry creating Anne Frank and the entire cast of characters from Lloyd Alexander’s “The Book of Three.” These first puppets were created…(Click for more.)
Sam Rugg: Technical Director, Driver, Set Builder, Puppeteer, and Roadie
Sam has been full-time with the company since 2001. He describes his job as, “I drive the truck and carry things,” but his role is so much bigger than that. In addition to his masterful driving and carrying skills, Sam keeps the books, maintains and improves the technical equipment, and designs REALLY cool scenery. His love of power tools comes in handy during the building of a new show.
Sam enjoys traveling, meeting new people at various venues, and making sure all the buttons click, the mics are set right, and the lights are aimed correctly. (Click for more.)
Genna Beth Davidson: Puppeteer, Puppet Builder & Designer
Genna Beth began working with Barefoot Puppet Theatre in October 2023 as a performing puppeteer in NEW SQUID ON THE BLOCK. She now also designs, prototypes, and builds for new works. Genna Beth graduated from the University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts program with her M.F.A. in 2022. Prior to graduate school, she lived in Washington, DC where she co-founded Wit’s End Puppets and designed for the likes of Pointless Theatre and Brave Spirits. She especially loves designing and building large theatrical puppets and most recently created an octopus, a seahorse, and a mermaid for Nehprii Amenii’s 2024 production of HUMAN at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. Follow Genna Beth’s artistic journey and behind the scenes shop work on Instagram at @thevagabondpuppetress.
Our Amazing Musicians:
Charles “The King” Arthur: Musician and Composer
A master of all things with strings, Charles is the mastermind behind the music for our newest show, “Little by Little.” Charles has been an adjunct instructor and ensemble director at the University of Richmond since 2001. In 2005, he started the school’s first Bluegrass Ensemble, and in 2008 he began the American Roots Ensemble, which focuses on the Blues.
In addition to teaching, Charles makes his living as a musician, and has toured the United States, Canada, and UK with award-winning Americana artist Slaid Cleaves. He has been featured on most of Cleaves’ recordings, as well as recording extensively as a sideman on commercials, soundtracks, and other international releases. Currently, Charles is composing and performing music for public radio’s ‘A Grain of Sand’, which airs on Richmond’s WRIR.
Ned Haskins
Ned has been a cellist since the tender age of 10 and now produces, composes, arranges, and records music. He plays with various ensembles and orchestras throughout Virginia; his booking agency, Ninja Strings, provides live music for public and private events across the Eastern Seaboard. Ned is a collaborator; he composed and recorded the music for Barefoot Puppet Theatre’s wordless performance, NEW SQUID ON THE BLOCK. He resides in Richmond, just a stone’s throw away from the James River.
Eric Weinberg: Musician and Composer
Eric’s talents have been instrumental (we mean that literally, of course) in composing and recording the music for many of our shows. Eric performs regularly in the DC area and has toured. He has his own state-of-the-art recording studio for his label, Little Erich Studio, in his home in Burke, Virginia.