Photo: The Phipps Center for the Arts
Pets aren’t typically found at The Phipps Center for the Arts, but this past winter, the organization fell head-over-heels in love with a reindeer. This wasn’t a real reindeer, of course, but a puppet handcrafted for The Phipps’ holiday production, Prancer. From the moment he made his onstage debut, Prancer had cast members and audiences thoroughly charmed.
Creating Prancer was no small feat. Our talented props artisans worked for weeks, carefully sculpting and crafting, ensuring that every part of Prancer felt as lifelike as possible. In the rehearsal room, the puppeteer and actors fine-tuned their interactions, discovering how the gentle nudge of a wooden nose or a well-timed tilt of the head could convey curiosity, warmth and that touch of mischief that all beloved pets have.
Backstage, Prancer was a true castmate—frequently receiving pats on the head, loving hugs and the occasional holiday secret to pass to Santa. As the show progressed, Prancer felt less like a prop and more like a cherished companion, delivering that special kind of theatrical magic.
Even a puppet can feel like a treasured pet when artistry, collaboration and a little imagination bring it to life!
Ben Thietje serves as the executive director of The Phipps Center for the Arts. Learn more at thephipps.org.
