KRISTIN HURST DAUNER
WRITER AND PUPPETEER
I create theatre and film
with puppets and masks
that I create-
and sometimes I work with people.
I am an artist practicing many different mediums- but let's talk about puppets.
I began my own puppet company in the early 1990’s in Philadelphia, PA, USA after spending some time on tour as a props artist and puppeteer with the opera 'Frida'. In the late 90’s, I directed the satiric adult puppet troupe, The Egg Family Puppet Show in Austin, Texas.
In addition (and should we say 'for money',) I worked on operas, in theatre and film as a scenic artist and properties designer. I have worked on stages such as Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Lincoln Center, Houston Grande Opera, and more. Off stage, I have worked on commercials for such companies as ESPN and McDonalds.
In 1999 I ran away with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Aside from my duties as Properties Manager and picking up essential circus skills such as juggling clubs and trying to get some sleep, I developed satirical puppet shows with my colleagues of the circus, presenting them in empty train wagons for the circus employees.
Several years later I took refuge in the Swiss Alps. I continued to create shows for adults, but also developed an interest in street theatre and children's productions. My son Jack was born in 2006 and the best show began.
5 years later, I started to perform with my son, after he refused to leave the stage during one of my clown performances. We have since performed in various festivals and in markets, theatres, etc.. doing our mask and puppet shows.
When Jack was 13, we began to write our first opera, Toadette. 5 years later, we started Studio Aristo.
I continue to work as a puppeteer, performing and building puppets and masks, and creating films and videos. Since the onslaught of AI, I am reinvesting efforts in live theatre and have started studying for a degree in theology (with a Catholic slant).
I have played my productions in England, Andorra, Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Russia, and throughout the USA.
THEATRE
THE TIN CUP
A street performance / all ages
by Kristin Hurst
Hurstie sees a hat that she would LOVE to buy in a store window. But the price is way too much for what this poor street musician (and not a very good one at that) earns.
Hurstie takes on a series of odd jobs in order to raise enough money to buy the hat.
Will she succeed?
HAT
A mask show for children and families
The Green Hat theatre company creates
'wordless' theatre for families based on our technique of visual interpretation of music.
This is the trailer of our current show, HAT!
more information about this company can be found at
Schatzie and Stanley lead a quiet life. Every day, Stanley works at the lighthouse. Everyday Schatzie sends Stanley cookies from their little cottage over to the lighthouse. Then she practices piano.
Then he makes repairs. Then he calls for more cookies. Then she obliges. It is a quiet routine. It is their routine.
But one day Stanley’s sandwiches do not arrive.
The routine broken. A mystery to solve.
Fish. Man. Woman. Giant fish.
Ensuing chaos.
ONE MORE COOKIE, PLEASE
a mask and puppet show written and performed by Kristin Hurst and Jack Dauner
THE TRAP
A one-woman show with three ladies
The Trap is a delicious one-woman show about three women- their disappointments, dreams and survival in a challenging world…
The Trap is set to live jazz (piano) music, and is delicately accented with masks and puppetry.
NOT TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN
A hand-puppet show / all ages
King Minos. The Minotaur. King Midas and his Gold Touch.
Echo and Narcissus. Daedalus and Icarus.
Some well-known Greek myths are enacted by a team of 14 puppets and 2 humans (and a half-human half-puppet) in this colorful and lively handpuppet show. Tasty bits, funny bits and certainly a few tragic bites make
Not Too Close to the Sun a delicious
taster of these important tales.
Not Too Close to the Sun
is available in French or English, and also in a simplified English version that can be used as an aid to
teaching English.
(texts for teachers available in advance in French/ English or German/ English)
VIDEOS FOR WEE ONES
CAT VACUUMING
