Barefoot Puppet Theatre activates imaginations with performances, workshops, and residencies that share the art of puppetry with all ages. The company has been touring since 1997 when founder and director, Heidi Rugg, began building puppet shows from the basement of her home in Richmond, Virginia. 

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The company's repertoire features story-driven, timely works to uplift youth and family audiences. As a performer, builder, writer, and designer, Heidi has her hand in every aspect of production while inviting collaborators into her process. In 2005, Barefoot Puppet Theatre was awarded  an UNIMA Citation of Excellence for their original work, Galapagos George.  

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Barefoot Puppet Theatre tours to theatres, schools, museums, festivals, libraries and community centers. Notable venues include The Smithsonian Discovery Theater, The Puppet Showplace Theatre in Boston, The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. In addition to performances, puppeteers are also available for hands-on puppet building workshops, puppet performances workshops, and artist-in-residencies.

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​In 2018, the studio relocated to the edge of a swamp just north of Richmond where new works are in development. The studio is now a lab where eco-friendly materials and processes in puppet-making are being explored. Heidi now works primarily with wool, handmade papers, wood, natural fibers, and a host of recycled materials. She is on a quest to create biodegradable puppets. 

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