Meet Our New Artistic Director: Elizabeth Dapo
The Puppet Co. is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Dapo will be the company’s next Artistic Director. Dapo will succeed Christopher Piper, who retired on July 1, 2020 along with co-founders Allan Stevens and MayField Piper.
“Running the Puppet Co. since its inception in 1983 has been the honor and pleasure of our professional careers,” said Piper. “We love this theater and are so pleased that we are able to entrust its future to Elizabeth Dapo, who is not only a very skilled puppeteer, but a woman whose vision and passion will instill a love of puppetry and storytelling in a new generation of audiences.”
Elizabeth Dapo has worked closely with the Puppet Co. as a performer and creative partner since 2014.
“I’m excited to be leading the Puppet Co into its next chapter.” said Dapo, “I have always loved the work that has been produced in the Playhouse, the Puppet Co’s specially designed theatre in Glen Echo Park and hope to continue to contribute the highest quality art and entertainment for our audiences of all ages. There is tremendous energy from our new Board of Directors, and all of us are passionate about and dedicated to creating works that educate and delight, as well as advance the cause of social justice.”
In response to the necessary social distancing requirements brought about by Covid-19, Dapo plans to temporarily move the Puppet Co.’s offerings online with a series of new virtual classes, streaming shows, and original content to keep audiences engaged and entertained. When the theater can safely reopen to the public, she plans to continue to produce beloved productions from the Puppet Co. repertory, as well as create new shows. She also looks forward to inviting guest artists from around the world to perform on the Puppet Co. stage.
“We have so many exciting plans for the Puppet Co,” said Dapo. “We will expand our tiny tots program to include multiple artists, add new shows such as “The Snow Queen,” and “The Little Mermaid,” – and add new works made in collaboration with talented writers and performers. We also plan to introduce programming geared toward teenagers and adults, including comedy nights and puppet slams. There really is a lot to look forward to in the next few years.”
Elizabeth Dapo was born and raised on a cattle ranch in southern Colorado and throughout her childhood has had a flair for the dramatic. She began making puppets at the age of five and would eventually go to college to study theatre and art at Binghamton University. She also earned a master’s degree in puppetry and devised theatre from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
For the last ten years Elizabeth has performed around the world and up and down the I-95 corridor, working for such companies as National Geographic Learning and The Jim Henson Company. She began working with the Puppet Co. in 2014 as a performer, and as a teaching artist through the ArtAbility Program funded by the Trawick Foundation, working with children on the autism spectrum.
With a new Artistic Director and new Board of Directors, the Puppet Co. is undergoing an exciting revitalization, with updated show content in the works, a new website, an active social media presence, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls.
“Even with our stage dark during the quarantine, we want our patrons to know we’re still here,” said Dapo; “Follow us on social media, sign up for our incredible online course offerings, and stay in the loop as we get ready to announce some exciting new productions later this year. We are thrilled about what is coming soon, and we are so grateful to everyone who loves the Puppet Co. and is taking this new journey with us together.”
The Puppet Co. is very grateful to have recently received a generous grant from the Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.