Here are some of our many friends and acquaintances! 

See anyone you know?  

Koryu Nishikawa, 5th generation kuruma ningyo (cart puppet) master, at his studio in Hachioji, Japan on Oct. 9, ‘09.

Here I am with Yoshiko “Kathleen” Nomura at Narita Airport October 8, ‘09.

This is Lui Tuck Yew the Acting Minister of Information, Communications, and the Arts for Singapore. He opened the storytelling festival with some very entertaining stories of his own. It was fun to share the stage with him and Robert and Nancy of Eth-Noh-Tec!

Abigail “Abby” Bacani was the events coordinator for OIC Events, sponsor of the 1st Manila International Storytelling Festival.

August 28, ‘09

Sunny Sandra Mabry with Groark and Randel on stage at the Roswell, GA Cultural Arts Center – June 2009

Sandra Mabry, Randel as H.C. Andersen, Dotty Etris of the Roswell, GA Visitors Bureau and “Pug” Mabry former mayor of Roswell enjoy a moment before the evening shows at the Magnolia Storytelling Festival – June 2009

David Dibble was one of my students in my first puppetry class in Hanford, CA back in the early ’80’s. He is now a talented videographer and producer. Here we are together at the premier of his documentary “Fort Roosevelt Requiem.” Visit his website at http://www.daviddibbleland.com/

Pam Infranca, the lovely hostess of the Wild Onion Cafe in Trenton, MO (site of the Puppet Fest MidWest!) holds a pop-up puppet card of a wild onion made by Randel. Visit Pam at http://www.thewildonioncafe.com/

Cindy Ferguson, a talented graphic artist and papercutter from Salt Lake City, paid us a visit at the Treehouse Children’s Museum in Ogden, UT. See Cindy’s beautiful work at: http://www.papercutting.blogspot.com/

Oklin Bloodworth, a family-friendly singer/songwriter, headlined the events at the Coalinga Celebration for the Young Child, and shared the stage (and his sound equipment) with Randel and Groark on April 12, ‘08. 

  

Grace Avila of Wild Animal Adventures

 

Beth Brust author of “The Amazing Papercuttings of Hans Christian Andersen” with the man himself (?) times 2.

Lamb Chop and Mallory Lewis (Shari’s daughter) met Randel and Groark for the first of many visits at the International Ventriloquist Convention in Las Vegas in 2003.

H.C. meets Jane Yolen, the prolific and award-winning author, when she signs her new book ” Hans Christian Andersen: The Perfect Wizard” at the ALA Convention 2005.

Joe Wos of “Once Upon a ‘Toon…” and Randel visited at the San Carlos, CA Library.

Ron Rodecker, the designer for all the characters on the PBS series “Dragon Tales”, invited Groark and McGee to join him at the Nevada Co. Fair in August ‘07.

Tsuruga Wakasanojo, a Japanese shinnai (traditional narration) master and designated Living National treasure, and his tour manager (2005) Stephanie Tomiyasu with their “tour guide for a day” Randel McGee look out from the Golden Gate Bridge Marin side at San Francisco on a windy day in May.

Allen Say, the award-winning author and illustrator shared lunch and a short visit with Randel as H.C. Andersen at an Ohio Reading Association Convention. 

 

Ed Stivender, internationally renowned storyteller and humorist, shared the stages at the Colonial Williamsburg (VA) Storytelling Festival with Groark and McGee.

Randel & Groark relax after a show at the Colonial Williamsburg Storytelling Festival with Kathryn Windham, the grand and gracious “Grandmother” of American Storytellers!

Antonio Sacre’ catches his breath with Groark and Randel after the last show at Colonial Williamsburg in Sept.’06.

My wife Marsha won a beautiful, original Steve Schutt Teddy Bear at the Puppet Fest Mid West. Here we are with the bear and its world famous maker Steve Schutt.

There are more to come!