Great Lakes National Puppet Theater
Alex recently completed the Masters Degree program in Counseling and Art Therapy from Ursuline College, with the intention of incorporating puppetry and comedy into their approach as a licensed art therapist.
Alex Pescho - Apprentice Puppeteer
Alex's love of puppetry started at a very young age, watching Sesame Street, Between the Lions, Bear in the Big Blue House and all Muppet related media. The journey into puppeteering didn't actually start until Alex was 22 years old and in graduate school. After building their first puppet, Alex fell in love with the craft and finally decided to pursue a career as a puppeteer. A self-identlfied amateur puppeteer who is still developing their role as a performer, Alex continues to perfect their puppet making skills. Alex's puppet building focuses on "Muppet-style", moving mouth puppets, specifically monsters and fuzzy creatures of all shapes and sizes.
Jennifer performed as "Red-Handed Jenny, in "Droolin' Jack & Jenny's Comedy Danger Show", a pirate - themed, magic and stunt show, as "Mad Molly" in "ThePlunder Doggs", a pirate - themed, music show and has performed as festivals such as, Great Lakes Medieval Faire (OH), Sarasota Medieval Fair (FL), Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival (PA) and Wild Rose Renaissance Fair (PA). She has performed with "The Dickens' Carolers" and as vocalist with"LivelyStrings". Jennifer was the lead vocalist of "The Donegal Doggs", a Cleveland-based, Irish music group. Jennifer has technical credits at several Cleveland area theaters including, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Ensemble Theatre, Sandusky State Theater, Beachwood Community Theater, the national touring company of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats" as well as for Beachwood City Schools and Mayfield High School where she has served as Director/Scenic Artist for the past 11 years. She is a member of Puppeteers of America, The Puppetry Guild of Northeastern Ohio, "The Gathering", an organization dedicated to magic and the performing arts. Jennifer is a founding member and Associate Director of the Great Lakes National PuppetTheater, where she is also Lead Artist and a puppeteer.
Jennifer E. Walker - Associate Director / Lead Artist / Puppeteer
Jennifer first became interested in theater while performing in plays and musicals in high school. After graduating, Jennifer attended Kent State University, where she majored in Fine Art. She traveled throughout the United States with "The EclecticCirCus", as the company stage manager. A former child - care specialist, Jennifer enjoys performing as "Trixie the Clown", where she has the opportunity to entertain children and adults alike.
He has performed all across the United States at schools, theaters, festivals, libraries, renaissance faires, universities and at major theme parks including Sea World and Six Flags. He is a dedicated performer, having toured throughout the United States as a puppeteer, performing and conducting workshops with adults and children of all ages. Vincent has toured schools throughout Western New York, conducting assembly programs for Western New York United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse. He performed as a member of the Hands Down Puppet Theater, of Buffalo, New York and has worked extensively with internationally recognized Das Puppenspiel Puppet Theater, of Westfield, New York. Vincent had performed at the Louisville Children's Theater (KY), the Birmingham Children's Theater (AL), Artpark (NY), Chautauqua Institution (NY), The New England Puppetry Series (MA), with the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra (LA) and with Red [an orchestra] (OH) with renowned puppeteer Basil Twist.
Vincent performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy in the "Salute to the President". He is a founding member of "The Eclectic CirCus" performance ensemble and the "Shattered Shakespeare" company, as well as "The Dickens' Carolers", a four-part harmony, a cappella vocal ensemble. Vincent is a founding member and current Artistic Director of the Great Lakes National Puppet Theater, where he is also responsible for all of the technical designs, sound and lighting designs, set designs and special effects. He has appeared in several films, including "The Summoning of Everyman" for Grandfather Films (NY) and the second installment of H. B. Halicki's cult classic "Gone in 60 Seconds 2".
In 2000, Vincent co-founded Vincent Magic Productions, a company of full-time, professional performers and designers that provide quality entertainment, performances, workshops and design for presenters and venues all across the United States. He is a professional theatrical designer, with credits at theaters all over the East Coast including, The Cleveland Playhouse (OH), Theater Hopkins (MD), The Paul Robeson Theater (NY), The Beck Center For theArts (OH), Ensemble Theatre (OH), The 1891 Fredonia Opera House (NY), Cleveland J.C.C. (OH), The Fine Arts Association (OH) and Cleveland Public Theater (OH). Vincent performs as a clown and teaches classes and workshops on clowning, magic, puppetry and technical theater. Vincent has performed as a professional musician for over forty years. He spent the last eleven years working as Technical Director, Set and Lighting Designer for the theater department for Mayfield City Schools (OH).
The Company
Vincent J. Polowy - Artistic Director / Lead Designer / Puppeteer
Vincent has been performing since he was five years old. Since then his love for magic, music, puppetry and performing has grown, as well as his knowledge and ability in the arts. He is a member of Puppeteers of America, where he serves as the Regional Director of the Great Lakes Region. Vincent is the President of the Puppetry Guild of Northeastern Ohio and is a founding member of "The Gathering", an organization dedicated to the preservation and education of magic and the performing arts.
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