Who we are

Talking Hands Theatre is a New York-based company committed to entertaining children with puppets by engaging their minds and their imaginations as well as their senses of humor. We perform in schools, libraries, day care centers, parks, theatres, hospitals, and homes throughout the tri-state area. Our 5' wide black curtain stage fits easily in any space. We bring all our own sound equipment.

Our puppets are primarily rod and hand puppets. Past venues include The Brooklyn Children's Museum, The Brooklyn Lyceum, The Peter Jay Sharp Children's Glade in Central Park, The Museum of Jewish Heritage, The Marymount School, United Nations School, Nightingale Bamford School, The Brooklyn Lyceum, Kane Street Synagogue, over forty branches of the New York Public Library, and homes throughout the NY area.

Director Anna Sobel has been a professional puppeteer since 1998. She was employed as a puppeteer for Kids on the Block for three years and Blue Sky Puppet Theatre for two years. In 2003 she was the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship to study puppetry in India as a tool for social change and education. She spent nine months in India and founded Talking Hands Theatre on her return to New York in 2004.

In addition to her work for children, she has presented shows for adults at the New York International Fringe Festival, HERE Arts Center, and Henry Street Arts Settlement. She teaches puppetry workshops in public schools all over New York through Shadowbox Theatre and Brooklyn Arts Council. In 2008 she was honored as the Laura Adasko Lenzner artist in residence at the Bank Street School for Children. She has studied early childhood education at Bank Street College and is currently pursuing an MA in educational theatre at N.Y.U.

Drew Petersen has been teaching and performing for children for over 5 years. Originally from Philadelphia, he is currently pursuing M.A. in Educational Theatre at N.Y.U. He has been been a puppeteer with Shadow Box Theatre, Mumpuppet Theatre, Curio Theatre Company and Hedgerow Theatre.

Further, he has worked with youth and taught in various New City and Philadelphia organizations such as Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Flatbush Development Corportion, People's Light and Theatre Company, Wissahickon Arts Center, Theatre Horizon and many others.

Z. is a puppeteer, actress, puppet builder, webdesigner, production manager and wears many other such hats.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut's master's program in puppetry, Z's recent roles include Lottie Lamb on the PBS kids show "Seemore's Playhouse," ensemble puppeteer in Lone Wolf Tribe's show "Bride," and Eduardo on Cartoon Network's float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Z. also works as a swing puppet wrangler for the Broadway show Avenue Q.