The Last Puppet Show
A documentary film (within a film) about a group of college puppets who set out to save their program by performing one of the greatest plays ever written in hopes of finally being taken seriously.
The Last Puppet Show: A documentary film
The first time we made contact with the WVU puppets was 2022. We had heard of the Puppetry Program through our producer, Kyle Frazier, a WVU alumni…but until we read an article about the puppets, we didn’t realize the program was in danger of being shut down.
After forty years of service, the puppets were being shown the door. Forty years of dedication to the students, their school and their community. The puppets thought they could make a difference, and when we heard their plan, we were intrigued. Puppets performing classic Shakespeare? This we had to see…and film. We set out to make a short documentary about the program, but it got…much weirder. Part documentary, part narrative, pure fun, and much like Hamlet itself: a play within a play
Help save the puppets!
The BFA puppetry major is an integral part of the school of Theater and Dance and WVU as a whole. As one of only two major universities to offer this major, it sets WVU apart as a unique and creative space for artists to come, learn, and become masters at their craft.
Help us #wvusavethepuppets!
Meet the Filmmakers
Lonnie Frazier
Director – Producer
Lonnie works in film production in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been fortunate to collaborate with many exceptional artists. She enjoys making documentary films because they allow undiscovered stories to find their audience. Lonnie spends her downtime hiking with three spoiled dogs and watching trailers for new films.
Elizabeth Kopetka
Director of Photography - Editor
Elizabeth started her own production company after moving to Rochester, NY in 2011. She wears many hats during production and always learns something new while filming a new story. Elizabeth enjoys taking on new creative projects, working with musicians, artists and filmmakers.
Kyle Frazier
Producer
Kyle is a proud WVU alumni who now works in the entertainment industry. Based in Los Angeles, he is especially passionate about podcast production and filmmaking. Kyle is dedicated to the art of storytelling regardless of the medium. In his family and at chili cook-offs, Kyle is known as a chili mix-master.
Photography by Lush Light Photography