Meet the Visionaries Behind “In the Wrist”
Discover the passionate creators and skilled artisans driving the documentary’s storytelling and production.
Lisa Sturz
Director & Puppeteer
Red Herring Puppets
A dynamic and prolific director of puppetry with a deep comprehension and mastery of numerous disciplines. Especially impressive, is her experience with cinematic cultural productions, such as Howard the Duck, Robocop 2 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3, not to mention Muppets in Space!
Matt Mcgee
Director & Puppeteer
Mattamagical
Mattamagical is an imaginative, multi-disciplined artist with a strong theater background. A Jim Henson Grant award winner, Matt is an actor, artist, designer, puppeteer, consultant, and teacher that can bring a world of hand-made magic to productions, projects, or stories to life. With Matt McGee on your side, every story you wish to tell will be absolutely magical….Matt-a-Magical.
Gwen Bonar
Director, Creative Director & Puppeteer
Great Arizona Puppet Theater
Gwen is a second generation puppeteer and builder that has been performing for audiences, other than her parents, since was 6 years old. She has performed in Regional, National and International Puppetry Festivals and her solo puppet slam pieces have been selected for multiple National Puppet Slams. Passionate about creating high quality art for children, she believes that no two live performances are the same and enjoys finding new unique moments to share with every audience. Gwen is currently opening a new Flagstaff location for Great Arizona Puppet Theater, where she currently serves as Creative Director.
Zarco guerrero
Director & Puppeteer
Cultural Coalition
Sculptor, mask maker and performance artist (Mesa, AZ). His art includes music, poetry and theater. He is the founder of Xicanindio Artes (now Xico, Inc.), the Cultural Coalition, Inc, and has been instrumental in the development of Latino Arts statewide.
Nathan greene
Director, Imaginologist & Puppeteer
Imaginology, LLC
Award winning animator, artist and life-long collaborator in the Phoenix arts community. Producer of the award-winning short film, “Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space” and writer/director of “The Afterlife with Bony Tony” animated puppet web series. Creator of the AZ Dragoneers community art dragon puppet project and previously served as Grand Avenue Arts Festival committee member, installation artist and mural artist coordinator.
dennis EustAce
Director & Puppeteer
Dragonmuffin Puppets
Also known as Dennis the Red, his guerrilla style of puppetry, performances and improvisations make for puppetry lore in Arizona and beyond. Whether it’s preparing for Tucson All Souls Procession or helping to co-found Tucson Puppet Works and Dragonmuffin Puppets, Dennis’s comedic passion for puppetry is only shadowed by his willingness to perform for anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Laura Craig
Director & Puppeteer
Dragonmuffin Puppets
Laura Craig is a sculptor, puppeteer, and illustrator. Born in Los Angeles, raised in Berlin, Germany, she developed a love of American cartoons alongside European comics, puppet films/tv, and Grimm’s fairytales.
She has a BFA in Illustration from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and has completed courses in stop motion animation, ceramics, leatherwork, metal smithing, and bookmaking. She is a recent graduate of Bernd Ogrodnik’s Academy of the Wooden Puppet.
Laura previously assisted Matt McGee in fabrication for “Tales from the Bayou” and is currently designing and building for his next show “Grimbleton Manor”. Her art style is generally described as “cute and creepy”. She has performed in Puppet Slams with Dennis the Red.
Voices Behind the Strings
Discover heartfelt stories from Arizona’s puppeteers, sharing their artistic journeys and the impact of ‘In the Wrist.’
This documentary beautifully captures the passion and dedication of local puppetry artists, inspiring audiences with every frame.
Maya Hernandez
Lead Puppeteer and Storyteller
The film’s insightful portrayal truly honors the craft, highlighting creative processes with warmth and respect.
Liam O’Connor
Puppetry Workshop Facilitator
An inspiring celebration of multidisciplinary artistry, leaving viewers deeply connected to the puppetry community.
Sofia Patel
Artistic Director and Producer