Gabrielle Union

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Gabrielle Union

Congratulations to Gabrielle Union, who just got engaged to basketball player Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

Wade posted to his Instagram and Twitter accounts, "She said YES!!!" It is the second marriage for both. 

Ms. Union is currently filming "Finally Famous." Another movie, "Think Like a Man Too" is in post-production, and she recently starred in the TV series "Being Mary Jane."  She has also been in "10 Things I Hate About You," "Bring it On," and "The Perfect Holiday."

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Anchorman 2

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Anchorman 2

"Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" opens today, and I'm excited to see it.  Will Ferrell has been EVERYwhere in character as pompous newsman Ron Burgundy, never failing to entertain.

Is the hype worth it?  Will it live up to the original?  Have you seen it already? What did you think?

Gina Wilhelm Actress

The Pixie and the Grocer

Gina Wilhelm Actress - The Pixie and the Grocer

WHAT: "The Pixie and the Grocer," performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN:  Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th St, Seattle, WA 98117, December 7 and 8 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Bellevue Youth Theater, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, December 21 and 22 at 2 and 4 p.m.

Magnuson Park Theatre, 7110 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, Bldg. 47,  December 28 and 29 at 1 and 3 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $8 children and seniors, $10 general admission.

TO BUY TICKETS: Call 206-524-3388 or visit thistletheatre.org or  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456934 (Sunset Hill), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456940 (Bellevue), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456929 (Magnuson Park), or buy them at the door.

Thistle Theatre's holiday show has arrived. We present "The Pixie and the Grocer" at various locations throughout the Seattle area.

This is a retelling of a Hans Christian Andersen short story about a pixie who serves a chisler grocer and his wife. A new poet has moved into the grocer's garret, and from him, the pixie learns of the wonders of art and poetry.

Eventually the pixie must decide if he wants to live a comfortable life, or go the artist's way.

I play Mrs. Hansen, the grocer's wife; Mrs. Nielsen, a customer; and an enchanted lantern.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Ben Burris and Zane Exactly. We use  a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style, shadow,  and rod puppets to tell and sing this take on this lesser-known fairy tale.

This play features one of Thistle Theatre's most popular songs (sung in part by me), "It's All About the Money," and a delightful sequence where inanimate objects are brought to life.

The show also features shadow puppets illustrating the poetry within the show.

The script and songs were written by Jean Enticknap and Sue Ennis. Jean also directed this lively production.

This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Shows at Sunset Hill Community Club in Ballard are at 1 and 3 p.m. on  December 7 and 8. The address is 3003 NW 66th Street.

Performances at Bellevue Youth Theatre  are at 2 and 4 p.m. on December 21 and 22.  That address is 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008.

The shows are at Magnuson Park Theatre shows are on December 28 and 29 at 1 and 3 p.m. The theater is in Magnuson Park in building 47. The address is 7110 62nd Ave NE in Seattle.

Don't miss our terrific show that spreads the message of the importance of art and ideas of substance rather than material things, so important during the holiday season!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Aesop's Fables

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Aesop's Fables

WHAT: "Aesop's Fables," performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: Magnuson Park Theatre, 7110 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, Bldg. 47, Oct. 13 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Bellevue Youth Theater, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, Oct. 19, 20 at 2 and 4 p.m.

Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th St, Seattle, WA 98117, Oct. 28, 29 at 1 and 3 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $8 children and seniors, $10 general admission.

TO BUY TICKETS: Call 206-524-3388 or visit thistletheatre.org or  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456892 (Magnuson Park), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456909 (Bellevue), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456903 (Sunset Hill), or buy them at the door.

Thistle Theatre opens its 21st season!  For our first show, we present "Aesop's Fables at various locations throughout the Seattle area.

Aesop, the great fabulist of ancient Greece, presents three of his beloved stories to audiences: The Raven and the Swan, the Lion and the Mouse, and the Tortoise and the Hare

I play Argus, a friend of the Raven's. I also play the mouse (actually a jerboa) and the tortoise.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteer and Ben Burris. We use  a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style, hand,  and rod puppets to tell and sing this take on these traditional tales.

The script and songs were written by Jean Enticknap and Sue Ennis. Jean also directed this lively production.

This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

The shows are at Magnuson Park Theatre shows are on October 13 at 1 and 3 p.m. The theater is in Magnuson Park in building 47. The address is 7110 62nd Ave NE in Seattle.

Performances at Bellevue Youth Theatre  are at 2 and 4 p.m. on October 19 and 20.  That address is 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008.

Shows at Sunset Hill Community Club in Ballard are at 1 and 3 p.m. on  October 26 and 27. The address is 3003 NW 66th Street.

Don't miss our terrific show!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

The Tales of Peter Rabbit

Gina Wilhelm Actress - The Tales of Peter Rabbit

WHAT: "The Tales of Peter Rabbit" performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: The Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th, Atlanta, GA  30309, Wednesday through Sunday until September 22. Wed-Fri: 10am & 11:30am; Sat: 11am, 1pm & 3pm; Sun: 1pm & 3pm.

TICKET PRICE: $9.25 members, $16.50 general admission (Single show tickets include Create-A-Puppet workshop and museum admission).

TO BUY TICKETS: Write tickets@puppet.org, call 404.873.3391, fax 404.873.9907 (Ticket Office Hours Mon-Thurs: 9am-4:30pm, Fri-Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm) or visit ticketsales.puppet.org, or buy them at the door.

This week marks the opening of "The Tales of Peter Rabbit" at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia.

This puppet play tells the stories of some of Beatrix Potter's most beloved characters. The main stories are those of Peter Rabbit and his cousin, Benjamin Bunny. It also includes Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Mrs. Tittlemouse.

When Peter Rabbit goes adventuring in Mr. MacGregor's garden and loses his new jacket, how will he get it back?

I play Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Flopsy Rabbit (Peter's sister), and a mouse without a name.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Ben Burris and Heidi Persson. We use  a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style and rod puppets to tell and sing this British tale.

The script and songs were written by Jean Enticknap and V. Kay Pedersen. Jean also directed this lively production.

This show is recommended for ages 4 and up.

The shows are at the Center for Puppetry Arts at 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th, Atlanta, GA  30309.

Don't miss our fun popular holiday show!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

How Bill Oberst Prepares for a Film Shoot

Gina Wilhelm Actress - How Bill Oberst Prepares for a Film Shoot

In this useful video, actor Bill Oberst discusses how he prepares for a shoot, both the morning of shooting, and in the time before the shoot begins.

The book he talks about, Acting in Film by Michael Caine, is an invaluable resource no actor should be without! Gina Wilhelm Actress

Tap Dance Seattle Recital

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Tap Dance Seattle Recital

WHAT: Tap Dance Recital performed by students of Anthony Peters' Tap Dance Seattle.

WHERE/WHEN: Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle, June 9 1:35 and 3:30 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $10 students and seniors, $14 general admission.

TO BUY TICKETS: Visit Brown Paper Tickets. Tickets can also be bought at the door.

It's the end of the "school year," so dance schools are holding their end-of-year recitals. This year I will be performing with Anthony Peters' Tap Dance Seattle recital.

There are two performances, one at 1:35 p.m. and one at 3:30 p.m. The program is the same for both shows.

There will be performances from all classes, including the choreography, improvisation, Leon Collins, and Lindy Hop classes. There will also be several solo, duets, and small groups performing.

Don't miss our fun tap extravaganza!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

National Day of Puppetry

Gina Wilhelm Actress - National Day of Puppetry

Saturday, April 27, is the National Day of Puppetry for 2013.  The National Day of Puppetry falls on the fourth Saturday each April.

This is a good chance to watch a puppet show, read about famous American puppeteers, or make a puppet of your own. 

If you didn't get to a puppet show today, consider going to one on Sunday.

If you can't do that, I have put up a number of puppet videos at my Facebook fan page.

And please enjoy this video of Jim Henson, Don Sahlin, and Muppeteers making simple puppets. Make a puppet with them!

Happy National Day of Puppetry!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Thank You, Center for Puppetry Arts!

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Thank You, Center for Puppetry Arts!

Great last shows today.  Thanks to  the Center for Puppetry Arts for being such great hosts. Thanks also to the fantastic crowds.  And thanks to Thistle Theatre for taking me on this fantastic journey!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Tabletop Puppetry Workshop

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Tabletop Puppetry Workshop

Today the puppeteers of Thistle Theatre gave a workshop on tabletop puppetry at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, GA.

We have been in Atlanta for most of the month of January presenting our show "Brother Coyote and Sister Fox," and today gave this workshop.

The workshop was also presented simultaneously as a webinar, which was recorded.

It should be possible for people who were not able to see the webinar today to view it in the future. Stay tuned to this blog to find out more about that. 

During the workshop, Thistle's puppeteers demonstrated tabletop puppetry techniques and invited workshop participants to try their hands with Thistle's puppets. 

Tabletop puppetry is a modified form of Bunraku, a Japanese puppetry form, but performed on a table (Bunraku is performed in mid-air, rather than on a solid surface).

Gina Wilhelm Actress