ClosetCatProductions' Puppet Shows began as the "Arnold Street Playhouse" in 1997. Our first set of Muppet-style puppets were Pee Paw, Stash, Pom Pom, and Shades. Later came Hilary, Rubin, and Fritz T. Hound. The members of the Arnold Street Playhouse were Ben Dunlavey, Cassie Carey, Greg Dunlavey, Maegan Conley, Jenna Heffernan, and Rachael Carey. Our very first performance was at the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church, where we performed "The B-I-B-L-E" and "The Laughing Song". There were also a few other performances, but that's about it.

After a few years, the Arnold Street Playhouse changed their name to "Puppet Pizzazz". The puppeteers for Puppet Pizzazz were Ben Dunlavey, Cassie Carey, Jenna Heffernan, Rachael Carey, Maegan Conley, and Jaclyn Carey. We performed shows at Lake Harris Campground, the Adirondack VIC, the Saratoga Wal*Mart, as well as several other places. After this, our Christian puppet ministry began to slowly die down due to lack of time for commitment.

In 2001, our Christian puppet ministry changed it's name to "ClosetCatProductions' Puppet Shows". With more energy and enthusiam than we had ever had before, we were determined to make our puppet ministry succeed. With over 40 new professional Muppet-style puppets, we were ready to take on anything! In 2004, we did Vacation Bible School at the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church, as usual. There our talent really shined, and they couldn't wait to have us back to do more shows throughout the year. Still today, we are doing performances at the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church, as well as many other churches and facilities in the capital district.

More Coming Soon!

Ben Dunlavey (Puppeteer, Dancer, Actor, Singer) Ben is currently attending the University of Connecticut, majoring in Puppetry Arts. He has been puppeteering for over 12 years, and began building puppets 4 years ago - and hopes to persue a career in it one day. With over 8 years of stage experience and 2 years in Select Chorus, his credits include The All Night Strut! (Quartet A Bass/Rudy Vallee), Seussical (Mr. Mayor), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II Puppeteer), Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Maurice), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Doc Robinson), two different productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Zebulun/Dan/Butler), big, The Musical (Mr. Baskin/Zoltar Puppeteer), as well as several others including Oklahoma!, Fools, Annie, Footloose, Our Town, and Into the Woods. He would like to thank his family and friends for all of their encouragement, love, and support.

Rachael Carey (Puppeteer, Dancer, Actor, Singer) Rachael is currently a Junior at Ballston Spa High School. She has been puppeteering for well over 7 years, and has been with ClosetCatProductions' Puppet Shows since 1997. With over 10 years of experience in dance, she is no stranger to the stage! Her credits include Annie (Tessie), Seussical (Jungle Citizen/Fish), Guys and Dolls (Hot-Box Girl), as well as several others including Our Town and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She loves performing and hopes to continue to do so throughout her High School career.

Jaclyn Carey (Puppeteer, Dancer, Actor, Singer) Coming Soon!