CONTACT: Christine Arnison

(513) 921-5965

madcapmd@fuse.net

Madcap Productions Names

Interim Artistic Director

CINCINNATI, Ohio. August 1, 2005—Betsy Neyer, Board President of Madcap Productions Puppet Theatre today announced the selection of Dylan Shelton as Interim Artistic Director of the nation’s largest touring puppet theatre. Shelton will assume responsibilities effective immediately.

The recent and unexpected death of Jerry Handorf, co-founder and artistic director of Madcap, leaves an artistic vacuum that demands a strong talent and creative vision. A multi-talented artist, Dylan is an experienced actor, teacher, puppeteer, artist, writer and, director who has worked with Madcap over the past several years in most of these roles. His familiarity with Madcap, puppetry and his close association with the late Jerry Handorf are strong credentials for his new role with the company.

“The timing and circumstances surrounding this position were sudden and it is bewildering to think of the changes that have come to Madcap in such a short period of time”, says Shelton. “But I am honored and thrilled to be offered the opportunity to serve Madcap Productions as Interim Artistic Director. While the grief over the loss of Jerry remains, his artistic vision of the Madcap legacy will not be dimmed.”

Both Neyer and the in-coming board president, Lori Jeffries, are highly confident in Shelton’s talents and leadership. “We are fortunate that Dylan’s recent return from New York came at this time and that he holds a vision and commitment to Madcap’s future growth that make this an ideal position for him”, says Jeffries. “Dylan’s talents are such that he can step into this very challenging role and provide experienced direction and creativity to the upcoming season,” says Neyer. “His experience even includes extensive work in the Czech Black technique, a tradition in Madcap’s season repertoire here in Cincinnati”.

With a B.A. degree in theatre and communications from Wilmington College, and MFA in theatre and acting from Ohio University, Shelton’s diverse performance background includes regional theaters across the country, independent films and commercials seen nationally. He has also designed workshops for children in clowning, puppetry, voice, movement, and acting. Madcap affords the opportunity for Dylan to satisfy his love for puppetry and children’s theatre, and apply his talents for comedy, playwriting and production design.

National Search to Commence in the Fall: Over the next several months Madcap will extend its search for a permanent artistic director. “Our national renown and reputation for high artistic professionalism and creativity make Madcap an attractive challenge”, says Lori Jeffries. “We will seek candidates who, like Dylan Shelton, have strong credentials and the artistic diversity that Madcap has enjoyed for nearly a quarter century, as well as the vision to enhance and expand the artistic foundation that has made it the largest touring puppet theatre in the country.”

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For more than 23 years Madcap Puppets has toured the country with between four and six troupes bringing original giant puppet performances to schools, libraries, theaters and large audience venues across the country. Last season Madcap’s audiences exceeded 500,000 nationwide. In the Greater Cincinnati Area audiences of more than 122,000 see Madcap performances at the Cincinnati Zoo, Coney Island, libraries, theaters and schools. Public performances begin with their Hats Off Season at the Cincinnati Art Museum, now in its 11th year and, for the second season, at the new Mason Community Center Theater. This year’s productions, as always, will include the highly popular annual holiday production, always done in Czechoslovakian Black theatre style of puppetry. For 2005/2006 Season information, contact Madcap at 513/921-5965.