About Us

In collaboration with other organizations, Madcap also specializes in developing productions that combine puppetry with art forms such as orchestral music, ballet, opera performances and museum exhibits for family audiences around the country. These are powerful partnerships that provide an unforgettable, multi-level arts experience that opens potential for a lifetime of arts appreciation.

Nearly 15 years ago, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Madcap Puppet Theatre put their heads together for a Christmas show that combined an originally conceived family theatre production with classical music. The natural compatibility of puppetry and music was obvious, hugely successful, and launched the development of Madcap’s collaborations with arts organizations around the country. Madcap now partners with each organization to develop a program suitable for family audiences and compatible with the repertoire to be presented. Find out more about our orchestral repertoire.

Madcap is the resident children’s theatre at the Cincinnati Art Museum with the annual Hats Off series. This series serves to premiere original works and features productions in a variety of puppetry styles including Black Light and Shadow Puppetry, along with productions that use a wide range of puppet sizes and types. Following each performance, actors discuss the art of puppetry, answer questions and demonstrate how each puppet is constructed and manipulated. The Hats Off series also has expanded to the Clifton Cultural Arts Center. The museum setting is ideal for Madcap’s original productions, which are based on children’s literature and world cultures. This provides  museums with lively performances for children and their families that can be related to existing and visiting exhibits and draw new audiences into their galleries.