The making of a Winter Solstice puppet show

For many years the Good Harbor Hill Players have produced puppet shows for both the summer and winter solstices. The summer show features large scale puppets and many cast and crew members, and takes weeks of planning and building. The winter show, happening on Thursday, Dec. 21, is a little different. This show is performed with shadow puppets crafted by a small group of puppeteers, and the entire show, including music, comes together in one week.

Jim Ouray is a Minnesota puppeteer and long-time director of both solstice puppet shows. He handed the reigns of the summer show to local organizers this past year, but is still running the winter solstice show. Barb LaVigne is the music director for the solstice puppet show, and a frequent participant in the performances. Ouray, BARB, and several of this year’s puppet makers spoke with WTIP in North House’s Red building, where the musicians and puppeteers have spent the week before the performance coming up with a story, building puppets, and arranging music. 

The directors and puppeteers explained the process and reflected on what makes the Winter Solstice show feel special to them.

The winter Solstice puppet show performance will take place on Dec 21 starting at 6pm. After the show there will be a bonfire and a potluck dinner to celebrate the longest night of the year.

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with Jim Ouray, Barb LaVigne, and puppet makers Elunia Steckelberg, Andrew Anderson, Peter Berg, Jennifer Schulz, and Naomi Tracy Hegg for this feature. Full audio is below.

Kirsten Wisniewski December 21, 2023