October 16 & 17 - Friday & Saturday
"The slightly Haunted Puppet Show"
Show times: 12pm & 2pm both days
Brown County Playhouse

October 26 & 27 - Monday & Tuesday - Free
"The slightly Haunted Puppet Show"
Show times: 6:30pm both nights
The Irving Theater
5505 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN

November 21 & 22 - Saturday & Sunday
"Holiday Cabaret on Strings"
Sat. shows: 12:15 pm, 1:15 pm, 3:15 pm
Sunday shows: 11:15 am, 1:15 pm
Ferdinand Christkindl Markt

November 28 - Saturday
"Holiday Cabaret on Strings"
Holly Jolly Jetway
Indianapolis International Airport
Showtimes are not published. The event is from 11-2pm.
Free to patrons

December 5 - Saturday
"Holiday Cabaret on Strings"
Show time: 2pm, event is outdoors.
Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt

December 6 - Sunday
"Holiday Cabaret on Strings"
Show times: 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m
Brown County Christkindl Market

December 19 - Tuesday
Show times: 10:30am and 12:30pm
Center for the Performing Arts

The Melchior Marionettes

The Melchior Marionettes presents a cabaret-style variety show featuring three generations of original, half-life-sized marionettes - puppets skillfully brought to life on strings. Founded by Erica Melchior in the early 1950s, the troupe continues her legacy today, entertaining audiences throughout the Midwest and beyond.

Each performance is presented by Peggy, Heidi, or Nevi, continuing a family tradition of puppetry that spans three generations.

The Performance

A typical show runs approximately 25-35 minutes and can be expanded with a Q & A session and educational information upon request. The format is designed for audiences of all ages and makes a wonderful addition to family programs, festivals, schools, libraries, museums, community events, and other special gatherings.

The Melchior Marionettes provides everything needed for the performance, including:

• Lighting
• Sound equipment
• Marionette theater
• Marionettes and performance props
  

Venue Requirements

Performances should take place indoors or in an area protected from the weather.

For larger audiences, a venue-provided stage or riser is preferred to provide better visibility. Every venue is different, and we are happy to work with you to determine the best setup for your space.

The basic requirements are:

• Approximately 16' x 16' of performance space
• A nearby electrical outlet
• Audience seating positioned directly in front of the performance area

Specific setup options and accommodations can be discussed in advance.

The Melchior Marionettes performed at Peewinkle's Puppet Studio, in downtown Indianapolis, for 23 years.

"Comedy Cabaret on Strings"- general variety format for any audience

"The slightly Haunted Puppet Show" - family friendly with classic Halloween characters and music

"Christmas Cabaret on Strings" - Classic holiday tunes with marionettes

History of Puppetry Lecture/Demo - for clubs or classroom View a wide variety of puppets, both vintage and international and learn the importance of puppetry in the social development around the world.

Workshops - Easy workshops for classroom or scouts

Over more than 70 years of performances, they have performed in a wide variety of venues

• Hundreds of midwest schools and churches
• Festivals, corporate events and family reunions
• Abroad: National Days in Shanghai, China, Amalfi & Rome, Hansa Theatre, Germany, Mexico City TV
• Founder of The Melchior Marionette Theatre (1983 - 2018) Nashville, Indiana
• Founder of Peewinkle's Puppet Studio (1995 - 2018) Downtown Indianapolis

Erica Melchior (1922-1977) Founder and German immigrant, attended Textil und Mode Schule, Berlin

Peggy Melchior Pearson, BFA of Cleveland Institute of Art

Heidi PearsonShackleford, BFA of Columbus School of Art, BA of IUPUI, High School art teacher

Nevi Shackleford, attended Indiana State University.