Green Fools has been creating imaginative theatre for more than three decades, with a focus on puppetry, physical theatre and visual storytelling.
Our work includes original productions, touring shows and collaborations with theatres, musicians and arts organizations, bringing handcrafted characters, movement and inventive stagecraft to audiences in Calgary and beyond.
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Our touring productions are created to travel into schools, communities, festivals and venues, making engaging live theatre accessible to audiences of all ages.
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Looking to bring your production to life through puppetry, physical theatre or visual storytelling? Get in touch to explore a collaboration with Green Fools.
GReeN FooLS
THEATRE PERFORMANCES
UPCOMING 2026–2027 SEASON SHOWS
LITTLE SHOP
OF HORRORS
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD WITH BEETHOVEN
JACK AND THE
BEANSTALK
From the larger-than-life puppetry of Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre Calgary, to Little Red Riding Hood with Beethoven with StoryMusic and the National Music Centre, and Jack and the Beanstalk with Pro Musica, we’re thrilled to be creating and performing alongside incredible artists and arts organizations.
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See what’s coming up, find a show near you, and join us in the audience this season
PREVIOUS SHOWS
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Presented by Pro Musica Society
THE TALE OF
THE GIFTED PRINCE
Presented by Theatre Calgary
TOUGH TURKEY
IN THE BIG CITY
Presented by Pro Musica Society
A PAINT BRUSH
FOR PICCOLO
Presented by Calgary Philharmonic
Animal symbolism is prevalent and realized through whimsical puppetry by the imaginative minds behind Green Fools Theatre, begging the audience to return to a childlike innocence where the inanimate can come to life and capture our sense of wonder.
— Amanda Barnum, BroadwayWorld
“Green Fools Theatre have created a troupe of puppets depicting animals both big and small… a herculean tiger prowls the stage like a living, breathing beast. You’ve got to see it to believe it.”
— Eve Beauchamp, Intermission Magazine
“The opening night audience was enchanted by the life-sized horse puppet, courtesy of Green Fools Theatre. The horse looked and acted most real… there was so much eye candy to enhance the story and performances.”
— Louis B. Hobson, Calgary Sun / Calgary Herald
TOURING SHOWS
TEDDY AND BELLA
A clown and his dog
Exhausted after a day of birthday clowning, Teddy just wants to relax and hang out with his animal family: Mr. Mouse, Ms. Meow, and his best friend Bella the dog.
After a walk gone awry, Bella runs away and Teddy starts a panicked and desperate search for his beloved pal. Unfortunately, with night fast approaching, Teddy must wait until daybreak to resume the search. His restless sleep is filled with dreams and terrible thoughts of what may have happened to his dog Bella. Luckily with the help of his neighbourhood friends and kids from the audience, Teddy is able to find his cherished friend Bella and makes some new friends along the way.
Told through clown, shadow puppets and marionettes, Teddy and Bella will charm the audience with a beautiful story of the friendship of a clown and his dog.
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Director: Andy Curtis
Sound Designer: Andy Curtis
Performer: Dean Bareham
Stage Manager: Rebecca Fauser
Photography: Keith Cartmell​​
Created by Dean Bareham
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Audience: All ages
Language: English
Genre: Puppetry, clown, storytelling, song
Running Time: 50 minutes
Venue: Flexible, however, best performed in a controlled, black-box setting (minimum stage dimensions 30ft wide X 20ft deep)
Lights & Sound: Operated through Qlab on the laptop. Requires stereo sound system and minimum 24 lighting instruments. Lighting plot available upon request.
Notes: Can be performed in a festival setting​
THE FLOATING MOUSE
The story of a little mouse and a big mess
Peep is afraid to leave her mouse house. Her brother Relish braves the dangers to bring her treats and treasures. When a flood separates the brother and sister and propels Peep out of her house and into the middle of a watery world, she must face her own harrowing adventure.
As she struggles to return home, she learns about the diversity of her community while finding her place within it. Determined to overcome peril, Peep learns to adapt to change, contemplates the sustainability of the environment, makes new friends, and determines when it is best to be a leader and a follower throughout her journey.
Peep soon realizes she herself possesses the strength and wisdom to do what is right and learns how to balance her individual needs with those of others.
A fun and empowering interactive performance for youth ages 5 – 10 with songs, puppets, love and laughter. The Floating Mouse is a one person virtuosic performance of puppetry, song and story telling. It is a great way to investigate results reporting and tackle important issues through theatre. Youth can evaluate the performance and question their own work on citizenship, character and personal development.
​Director/ Writer/ Designer: Jennie Esdale
Composer/ Sound Designer: David Rhymer
Performer: Jamie Konchak
Lighting Designer: Terry Gunvordahl
Photography: Ben Laird & Sarah Millan Smyth
Created by: Jeannie Esdale
Audience: All ages
Language: English
Genre: Puppetry, storytelling, song
Running Time: 50 minutes
Venue: Flexible, however, best performed in a controlled, black-box setting (minimum dimensions 20 x 20 ft)
Lights & Sound: Operated through Qlab on the laptop. Requires stereo sound system and minimum 12 lighting instruments
Notes: Can be performed in a festival setting
PROJECT
WHOOPING CRANE
Saving the Whoopers
The story of the endangered whooping crane and the biologists who fight for their survival. One bird injured in the wild brought into captivity, another raised in captivity released to the wild.
The show intertwines art and science in a breathtaking mix of music, mask, and life-size puppetry. Using original sound design including musical compositions and sample crane sounds, this show is the result of extensive study and direct consultation with biologists to ensure an authentic portrayal of the world of the Whooping Crane and their human stewards.
Great for all ages, It is low-tech and can be performed indoors or out, practically anywhere!​
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Writers: Jennie Esdale, Eileen Sproule, Dean Bareham, Dave Clarke
Director: Original: Eileen Sproule, Tour: Jennie Esdale
Composer/Sound Designer: Dave Clarke
Designers: Dean Bareham, Jennie Esdale
Performers: Dean Bareham, Tour: Jamie Tognazzini Original: Jennie Esdale
Puppet Creation: Dean Bareham, Jennie Esdale, Cassandra Christie, Jen Winter
Photography: Sean Dennie
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Audience: All ages
Language: No words
Genre Puppetry, Mask, Music
Running Time: 55 minutes
Venue: Flexible, however, best performed in a controlled, black-box setting (minimum dimensions 20 X 20 ft).
Lights & Sound: Requires stereo sound system and minimum 12 lighting instruments. Can be performed in a festival setting.
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