Stevens Puppets

Stevens Puppets is deeply committed to arts education and the vital role marionette theater plays in building imagination, literacy, and community connection. Now available in Florida, the company tours fully staged productions of fairy tales and classic children’s literature, featuring hand-carved wooden marionettes performing before vividly hand-painted scenery. These enchanting performances invite audiences of all ages into magical miniature worlds filled with laughter, beauty, and timeless storytelling, as skilled puppeteers bring their characters to life and spark a shared sense of wonder around the classic promise of “once upon a time.”

Founded in 1933 by Peabody Award–winning puppeteer Martin Stevens—founder of Puppeteers of America—Stevens Puppets has shaped generations of artists and set enduring standards for American marionette theater. Today, the company is led by Dan and Zan Raynor, who bring decades of professional live-theatre experience in acting, directing, design, and education at every level, from preschool through university. Together, they balance studio artistry, restoration, artist training, and nationwide touring, performing in schools, libraries, festivals, and fairs. Their work continues the Stevens legacy by blending artistic excellence with a passion for education, ensuring this historic art form remains vibrant, accessible, and deeply rooted in the communities it serves.