Kurtis L. Hunter
5918 West 39th Street
St. Louis Park, MN 55416-2840
(952) 920-7131

 EDUCATION

Third Annual International Academy of String Puppetry, Storrs, CT
July - August, 1998

Studied string puppetry theory, construction, and performance with world renowned artist Albrecht Roser.

Washington University School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO
B.S. Electrical Engineering -- May, 1986

Activities: Stage technician for performances by the St. Louis Repertory Dancers. Acted in production of Oscar Wilde's "Salome."

Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
B.S. Physics, High Distinction -- August, 1985

Activities: Elected member of Theta Alpha Phi (theatre honorary) . . Elected Vice president of Plainsman Players (theatre organization) . . Performed in three mainstage and two laboratory theatre productions . . Performed technical roles for eleven mainstage productions including work as lighting, scenery and sound crew chiefs, stage managing, additional work with costumes and properties . . Designed, constructed, and manipulated seven foot long dragon's head for production of Robert Bolt's "The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew."

 

EXPERIENCE:

Siemens Power Systems Control, Brooklyn Park, MN
1986 - present

Electrical Engineer. Programming electrical network applications for energy management systems for electric utilities.

The Hunter Puppets, St. Louis Park, MN
1978 - present

Self-employed Puppeteer. Design and construction of, and performance with marionettes, hand puppets, and rod puppets.

Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, Duluth, MN
June, 1999.

Featured guest artist. Performed with marionettes with wife, Kathy.

Bread and Puppet Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
February, 1999.

Puppeteer for performances of "Flat Man Reality" directed by Peter Schumann.

Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church, Golden Valley, MN
1995 - present

Director/Designer for "Puppet Nativity." Conceived and designed retelling of nativity using masked actors, shadow puppetry and various forms of rod puppetry.  Annually direct cast of over 30 for four public performances.

C & H Productions Minneapolis, MN
November, 1995

Puppeteer. Operated three marionette lead characters for television commercial for the Mall of America.

Eugene O’Neil Theater Center National Puppetry Conference, New London, CT
June, 1994

Puppeteer. Worked with German puppeteer Albrecht Roser on puppetry presentation of Stravinsky’s Histoire du Soldat.

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre Minneapolis, MN

Cast member in "This Land." November 1992 to February 1993. Manipulated modified bunraku puppets and rod marionette. Constructed and manipulated two thirds life-size marionette. Performed as masked actor.

Cast member in "Circles of Five Hundred." October, 1992. Manipulated twice life-size rod puppet. Performed as masked actor and stilt dancer.

Volunteer for May Day Parade and Festival. 1987 to present. Construction of puppets and floats for parade. Stilt dancer and puppeteer for parade and pageant.

Super Bowl XXVI, Minneapolis, MN
January, 1992

Stilt dancer/stilting coach. Stilt danced in half-time show and trained other stilt dancers.

Minneapolis Chamber Symphony Minneapolis, MN
August, 1989.

Featured guest artist. Performed solo with marionettes.

Children's Theatre Company, Minneapolis, MN
1986 - 1988

Lighting volunteer. Hang and focus of lighting instruments, ran lighting for performances of "Strega Nona" and "Little House On the Prairie."

Properties volunteer. Design of and some construction on forty rod puppets for production of "Strega Nona."

Bob Kramer's Marionettes, St. Louis, MO
1984 - 1986

Part-time puppeteer. Performed with marionettes, rod puppets, and hand puppets for performances in the studio, with the St. Louis Symphony, and for a television special.

Brownville Village Theatre , Brownville, NE
Summer, 1984

Company member. Designed and executed lighting and sound for four plays performed in repertory, constructed scenery, and acted in three plays.

 

ORGANIZATIONS: