The Puppet Improv Project started as an experiment in January 2009. The founder and producing artistic director, Sara Farr, decided to spend one year exploring improvisational comedy through puppetry and see what would come of it. In that first year, the PIP managed to build a puppet arsenal and squeeze in 4 shows, including a kids show, a long-form musical show, an all-women's short-form show, and a series of crazy impromptu puppet appearances at "No Shame Theater".

In the following year, the PIP offered more puppet building and performance workshops, and continued to appear monthly at Gnap Theater Project's "No Shame Theater." In August, the PIP produced a successful 6-show run at the Salvage Vanguard Theater that was presented by Gnap Theater Projects -- "Crack! The Improvised Puppet Musical." In the later part of the year, the PIP had several one-off shows, including "PIP versus Austin Comedy Sportz", guest appearances at the 41-Hour Improv Marathon @ the Hideout Theatre, the B. Iden Payne awards ceremony @ the Long Center. They ended the year with the Shrewd Theater's "Feast of Fools" fundraiser @ the Off Center.

So far the project has been a success in it's ability to foster interest in puppetry and improvisation within Austin. In this, the PIP's third year, the project is evolving into it's own company with a yearly calendar of shows. The calendar for 2011 includes a new show each quarter. In each quarter, the goal is to introduce a new form of puppetry and expand the ensemble's puppet vocabulary in performance.

The mission of the company is to continue to explore improvisation and puppetry through both traditional and non-traditional forms of performance.

Sara Farr | Producing Artistic Director

sara@puppetimprovproject.org

Sara's passion for movement, technology and improvisation led to her founding the Puppet Improv Project. As the PIP's Producing Artistic Director, Sara looks to help the PIP grow by managing sponsor and donor relationships, and spearheading publicity, marketing and fundraising efforts.

Topping Haggerty | Artistic Director

topping@puppetimprovproject.org

Topping's academic and performance background in theater give her the expertise to shape the PIP as our Artistic Director. As co-leader of the project, Topping aims to help create or realize various new works that support the company's mission. She also helps the PIP grow through recruiting and training performers to act as a talent pool for our productions.

Patrick Knisley | Production Manager

patrick@puppetimprovproject.org

Patrick's life long love affair with puppets makes him the perfect man for the role of chief puppet maker. Researching puppet mechanics and leading puppet building, Patrick is responsible for the practical implementation of the Puppet Improv Project's new works.