Roger Mara
Today’s post brings very sad news. My friend Roger Mara, who was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer, passed away on January 15 at the age of 53.
The talented puppeteer and builder behind Snapdragon Puppets, Roger had more than 30 years’ experience performing thousands of puppet shows at libraries, schools and special events across the West Coast. He performed at several puppeteer festivals, including the 2002 West Coast Puppet Fest at Asilomar in Northern California and 2006’s Much Ado About Puppets Festival in Tacoma, WA.
Roger created such puppet shows as The Big Little Circus, The Tall Tales of Paul Bunyan and The Three Little Pigs. His popular holiday show, The Mouscracker, was made into a video production that earned him an Emmy.
Roger’s live shows featured beautifully handcrafted puppets designed by longtime collaborator Elizabeth Luce. His puppets were technically inventive and expertly manipulated.
When my brother Sean and I started performing puppet shows in the San Francisco Bay Area, Roger was very supportive of our efforts. He offered helpful advice about presenting professional puppet shows and suggestions on nurturing a successful puppet business. He also shared practical puppet-building safety tips that we still use today.
Roger’s level of professionalism and showmanship is something I aspire to. I will always remember his sense of humor, and I cherish his friendship.
Labels: Snapdragon Puppets
10 Comments:
I am shocked! I have known Roger for more then 25 years. Way back in the very early 80's, I was his puppeteering partner in Colorado. We were called the Danaberry Puppets and did many tours opening even for Frank Sinatra Jr. We were also in a romantic relationship that latest a couple of years. He was such a clever and talented man, I am so sorry to hear this news. We got back in touch a few years ago through email and chatted for awhile, and then I stopped hearing from him. I so enjoyed chatting with him about everything from science fiction to current events. I wish there was a way to contact his sister, Mary. Again, I am shocked and saddened! Thank you for the forum to express myself.
Allison
Roger was our neighbor. I only had the chance to know him for the last two years, but he was one of the most honest, sincere poeple I could have ever met. My children loved it when he would come over, he was never out of character and always had a smile on his face. Even towards the end he wouldn't let us know that he was hurting. We are deeply honored to have known him, and I know my three young children will never forget him, nor will we. We miss you Mr. Roger!
ROGER WAS MY BEST FRIEND . HE WAS ALLWAYS THERE ME . SOMETIMES WE WOULD JUST SIT AND WATCH TV AND COMENT ON THE SHOWS . OTHER TIMES WE WE HAVE LONG CONVERSATIONS IN HIS SHOP WHILE HE WAS WORKING ON HIS PUPPETS . WE ALLWAYS HAD THE BEST FIREWORKS ON THE 4TH OF JULY .
HE INSPIRED ME TO BE A BETTER PERSON AND HE WILL BE MISSED .
HE PUT MANY A SMILE ON SO MANY CHILDREN AND PARENTS ALIKE . YOU WILL BE MISSED BUDDY .
This is sad news indeed. I'm glad I got to briefly know him when sitting next to him at Sean's wedding reception. I know Eric enjoyed his class and was really inspired by him.
I was also one of Roger's neighbors. My children were very fond of him and tremndously glad they got to see Paul Bunyan at the Mountlake Terrace library!
He never complained, never had a bad thing to say. Even when my son interrupted him one night around Christmas to bring him some cookies he had "painted" himself (Roger was being tended to at the time and looked very uncomfortable). He was gracious and wonderful and my son was very happy he was able to give him something he'd made.
We all miss him.
I am so incredibly sad I just want to cry but here I am in the Bellevue library with my 5 year old son. He asked me to look up the "puppet man's" shows because he wants to see him again. And here I am finding out that he is no longer with us. I don't want to miss his shows and his warm talks afterwards. I want his humor and sharp craft - for myself and for my son. I wish I had known he was ill, I wish we could have said good-bye. Roger Mara, thank you for what you gave us. We will never forget the fun.
I just found out the devasting news - I can't believe that he is gone. I was hoping to bring my fiance to one of his shows and instead found out that one of the most talented, incredible people I have ever met is gone. I am so deeply sorry for his sister's and Aaron's loss. And for all the children and people who will never know the magic that was Roger Mara.
I can't believe that he is gone... I just found out. I was hoping to take my fiance to one of his shows and was looking for his schedule. I am so deeply sorry for both his sisters and Aaron's loss. Roger was an exceptionally talented person and I am saddened that there are so many children and adults who will never experience his special kind of magic.
I just learned about the passing of a kind, intelligent soul- Roger Mara. He came to our home and made my daughter's 5th and 6th birthday parties so memorable. We were fortunate to know him.
My heart goes out to his friends and family. I am so saddened ---he really touched our lives. My daughter just asked me if we could have the "funny puppet man" back, for her seventh birthday.
God Bless you, Roger.
I cannot believe that Roger passed away. He has performed at my sons birthday parties every year for the past 5 years and I was trying to search for his website to book him again for my sons 8th birthday party this October. He performed for us late October of 2006, which means that just months later he passed away???? I am in shock. All the kids still talk about his performance and I was always amazed at how he was able to grab and hold the attention of both energetic children and inpatient adults! I was not expecting to read of this news and I hope that friends and family of Roger will read my message and know that he has touched our lives, and he is missed.
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