Photo by Terrell Tangonan; Paula Higgins works on costuming our Conductor

 

It’s an oft quoted Bob Baker truism that a puppet takes 300 hours to make…

And currently we’re in the process of creating a 100 puppets for our upcoming Choo Choo Revue, BBMT’s first new show in 40 years.

From tiny puppet shoes to strings that make them move, puppets take many hands to make it to our stage—fabricators, costume designers, painters, sculptures, and puppeteers. And that’s just the puppets. We also are working on music curation, set design, choreography, lighting, and so much more.

Trains of Thought will pull back the curtain as we take on this brand new feat. With interviews with our collaborators and artisans, deep dives into the construction of specific puppets and sonic styles, and multimedia, interactive fun explorations into all the work required to create a new BBMT puppet show.

“This puppet train is departing straight from our hearts into the future.”
— Alex Evans, Director of Choo Choo Revue

Though the origins of Choo Choo Revue started from a kernel of an idea years ago, it has been in active construction for the last two years, with sneak previews of new puppets showcased in 2024’s Enchanted Toyshop and 2025’s Hallowe’en Spooktacular series.

Fully underway on the construction of new puppets, music, and more, here’s a peak at what it takes to make a puppet show at BBMT, by the numbers:

  • 17+ puppet concept designers

  • 4 scenic concept designers

  • 4 technical designers

  • 13+ fabricators

  • 3 costume designers

  • 3 musical supervisors and curators

Nearly all the puppets are entirely new creations (with completely unique looks and gags), but some include references to past Bob’s creations and homages to original works, from Mac Tonight to Demi Star.

Starting with a brainstorming of concept designers and initial sketches, new puppet characters began to take shape. From there, technical designers conceptualize and identify how a sketch could be made into a 3D creation. With a technical concept, our workshop team is equipped to begin modeling, molding, and bringing the puppet to life.

Jump on board for Trains of Thought as we send month dispatches from BBMT workshop and stage as we rehearse, create, and bring Choo Choo Revue.