GReeN FooLS
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DEAN BAREHAM
The Artist Behind the Magic
Dean Bareham is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Green Fools Theatre. A proud Métis artist, Dean is internationally recognized as a performer, master puppeteer, and theatre creator.
For more than 35 years, he has shared his unique blend of puppetry, circus, clowning, and physical theatre with audiences across six continents.
A CAREER THAT SPANS THE GLOBE
Dean’s artistry has taken him from Calgary to stages around the world. He has taught and performed across Canada, Europe, South America, Lesotho, Japan, and New Zealand, bringing joy and creativity to communities of all sizes.
His alter ego, Gustavo the Impossibilist, has entertained international audiences with unpredictable performances that combine clowning, stilt walking, and storytelling.
HIGHLIGHTS & COLLABORATIONS
-
Puppeteer on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Apple TV) and Joe Pickett (Paramount+).
-
Performed as a clown with Cirque du Soleil at Toronto’s Luminato Festival.
-
Collaborated with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Calgary Pro Musica, and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra.
-
Designed and built puppets and creatures for the Calgary Zoo, The Florida Aquarium, South Carolina Aquarium, and Albuquerque BioPark Zoo.
PUPPETS, THEATRE, & MENTORSHIP
Beyond performance, Dean is a visionary builder, director, and mentor. He studied at the Alberta College of Art & Design and the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, where he developed a foundation in design and movement that shapes his approach to storytelling.
Today, he continues to create original puppets, develop innovative performances, and guide the next generation of artists through teaching, mentorship, and Green Fools’ Social Circus programs.
HONOURING HERITAGE & COMMUNITY
Dean is a proud Métis person who honours the traditions of his heritage and the land where he was born.
He acknowledges the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 Nations and Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6) and remains committed to ongoing learning and reconciliation.
Dean offers gratitude to the Elders who came before him and to the community that supports the work of Green Fools Theatre.
A LEGACY OF CREATIVITY & CONNECTION
Dean’s work celebrates imagination, fosters connection, and empowers people of all ages to discover creativity, courage, and joy.
Through Green Fools Theatre, his vision continues to shape rare and wondrous stories that inspire awe in Calgary and beyond.