To entertain and educate, using the highest skills of the art of puppetry to stimulate individual imagination and to create an enthusiasm for live performance art.

is a Southern California-based company that performs throughout the nation and around the world with a repertoire of original state-of-the art productions. Each show is comprised of unique puppet characters and staging and may include various puppetry styles - marionettes, rod puppets, life-size Bunraku-style puppets, hand puppets or shadow puppets. Innovative performance techniques as in Eastern Europe’s "Black Theater" enhance creative rod puppet performances. Unique control mechanisms allow refined manipulation of marionettes.

Over 1800 performances are presented annually in venues ranging from large theater venues to private events. Educators and students from hundreds of schools each year give enthusiastic reviews as they enjoy and learn from the Gamble programs. Art and music festivals spotlight JGPP shows as an enjoyable experience for family audiences.

Since all productions require a high degree of performance skills, each JGPP puppeteer maintains proficiency by performing multiple productions in an active schedule of shows. Constant rehearsal and performance insure the high quality required by the company and presenters of the work. Nationally known artists consult on scripts and set design while office staff oversees sales, marketing, publicity and maintenance of puppets.

JGPP has been touring for more than 25 years and is known for reasonable analysis of travel costs. Productions are designed for fast set-up and strike times, allowing for multiple venues in a single day. All are designed to travel by commercial air or van. The company is a touring artist for the California Arts Council, Los Angeles Music Center Education Division, Orange County Performing Arts Center and Young Audiences of the Bay Area.

Director and Master Puppeteer, B.S., M.S., with over 50 years of performing credits as a professional puppeteer and a highly regarded designer of marionettes and staging. Extensive touring, teaching and management experience.

office@jimgamble.com

B.A., Theatre Arts, UCLA, Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, studied with Dr. Mel Helstein. Received the UCLA Robert Reed Shakespeare Award. An experienced actor, dancer, singer, puppet builder and manipulator, he performed the lead in "Pippin", worked as a puppeteer in "The Flintstones" movie and in special effects in Robocop II, Gremlins, Batman Returns and D.C. Follies. His co-produced video won a Parents’ Choice Award. He is a member of SAG and AFTRA and a principal puppeteer for JGPP.

A principal puppeteer for JGPP, he has over 40 years of puppet performance credits in TV and touring shows. A member of SAG, Chambers worked for Leo Bernett USA, General Mills and the Smiley Group for commercials and creation of visual effects. John is a respected digital media instructor at Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, an expert in advanced Macintosh computer systems, author of two best-selling books "Inside Macromedia Director with Lingo for Macintosh" and "Inside Macromedia Director with Lingo for Windows" Host of the "One Minute Tip" podcast…and a helicopter pilot.

A seasoned actor and puppeteer, he has logged years of experience performing in children’s theater, videos and commercials. For several years he appeared as a stunt man at Universal Studios and Magic Mountain. Subsequent seasons found him performing in Disneyland’s Fantasmic as the infamous Captain Hook. When not acting, juggling or puppeteering, he is often found training for Ironman competitions.

B.A. Studio Art and Dean’s Scholar at San Jose State University, Associate of Science Degree in Engineering, West Valley College. A craftsman, sculptor, puppet builder and puppeteer, he has built many displays and animated creatures. Hill is a performing puppeteer for JGPP’s live productions and has appeared in a number of Gamble award-winning video productions.

After earning her degree in Puppetry Theater from Karlova University in Prague, Czechoslovakia, she was associated with the Pilzen Children’s Theatre. Her escape to the US with her husband and two children allowed her to bring much of the European tradition to the Gamble Company. She specializes in performances for young children.

A talented actor and artist, he is well-known for his performance credits in the highly -respected company "We Tell Stories." At JGPP, he performs both roles in the popular Gamble production, "Tales of the Ashanti." His own company, Water’s Edge Theater, specializes in introducing poetry to elementary school audiences.

Is a highly respected workshop leader in puppet making. Through JGPP, she works for the Los Angeles Music Center on Tour program as an Artist in Residence for LA county schools. She previously performed as a puppeteer with the Greater Arizona Puppet Theater in Phoenix and was associated with the Follies Bergere in Las Vegas as a Principle Costumer.

Has been involved with puppetry since he was 10 years old, first as a hobby and later as a sideline to his Air Force career. After military retirement, he worked as a professional puppeteer for two St. Louis puppet companies. Now a performer and Studio Manager for JGPP, he is involved in the construction and refurbishment of hundreds of puppets and multiple sets for the Gamble productions.

Event Coordinator, Carol Ritscher became a member of the JGPP team after a notable 15 year career with Chambers of Commerce on both local and regional levels. Winner of numerous awards, she is recognized for her good working relationship with the business community. Carol coordinates Southern California bookings for JGPP, arranging the details for hundreds of public and private performances each year. She enjoys helping JGPP clients schedule their events, from birthday parties for young children to larger stage productions. When not coordinating events for JGPP, this active woman takes pleasure in being involved with her community.

As Touring Manager, Marty is responsible for all bookings outside Southern California and large venue performances throughout the U.S. Additionally, she heads up marketing and publicity for JGPP and provides direction for the company. When not attached to an office phone, she pursues other pleasures at a piano or in an airplane.

martygambl@aol.com