Growing Companies

Madcap Puppets, established in 1981, has been bringing quality theater and hearty laughs to children across the Midwest for over 30 years.

Through creative puppetry and playwriting, Madcap aims to inspire and foster positive thinking in young audiences. Jerry Handorf, a former Sesame Street puppeteer and graduate of the Pratt Institute of Art, established Madcap in Cincinnati with Beth Kattleman. Handorf studied puppet manipulation and construction in New York City with Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, and established Madcap upon his return to Cincinnati.

Madcap brings quality art to children and enhances their education with life-enriching performances drawn from world-literature and cultures. The company adapts classic stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs into high-quality puppet performances. Specialized programs include conflict resolution, health, safety and social concerns. Thanks to recent grants from the Neighborhood District Development Fund and the City of Cincinnati, Madcap now has a bigger, more accommodating space that includes a theater of their own. The collaborations do not end with the establishment of a bigger home base, though.

Madcap still performs hundreds of shows to thousands of viewers in schools, community centers, museums, zoos and libraries across the Midwest. Madcap premiers original shows each season with the Hat's Off series in diverse venues like the Cincinnati Art Museum, Xavier University and the Clifton Cultural Arts Center.

By Jen Saltsman