Ashland Center for Theatre Studies

Theatre Teacher Training Faculty
Puppetry: Design, Construction and Performance

Steven Ritz-Barr

Steven started acting and producing theatre while studying at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, where he earned a degree in Education. From 1978 to 1989 he resided in Paris, France, where he studied at LeCoq’s Movement/Mime School, before committing to the Art of the Puppet. He developed and performed over twelve original productions, appearing in France, England, and Belgium, and in festivals in Hungary. He also designed abstract puppet figures and participated in two large-scale modern dance productions that toured extensively throughout Europe. After moving to Los Angeles in 1989, he began work in the film and television business. Among his numerous film credits as a puppet performer are Batman Returns, Alien Resurrection, Muppets Tonight, Men In Black and Team America. His first puppet-film production, FAUST, was the first of several works in a series entitled, Classics in Miniature.  (http://www.lapuppet.com/?page_id=9).  The second film in the series, QUIXOTE, with Michael York as the voice of Don Quixote, has garnered several awards; the 3rd film: JOAN OF ARC is in development and pre production phase.

You can see his work at: www.classicsinminiature.com  and www.lapuppet.com