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Updated 7/16/2024

Bonnie Duncan & The Gottabees

  • M

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Artist / Creative (Individual)

The Gottabees are passionate about community, family joy and empowerment and have been guiding families through stage performances, interactive experiences, and audio adventures since 2013. 

The Gottabees are based in Boston and their work has been performed in 19 states, 5 countries, for over 45,000 people and was awarded an UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence. Their projects have been funded by the Jim Henson Foundation, Puppeteers of America, USArtists International, and the Boston Foundation.

The Gottabees have been featured at ICA/Boston (MA), Center for Puppetry Arts (Atlanta, GA), Detroit Institute of the Arts (Michigan), Casteliers (MontrĂ©al), AHA! International Theater Festival for Children (India), Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival (Illinois), as well as local libraries and schools.  


The Gottabees is headed up by Bonnie Duncan, a puppeteer / theater maker / former acrobat / mother of three who is a passionate Teaching Artist, avid crafter / maker of odd things, and runner.   

Find Me

Bonnie Duncan (she / her)
Job Title: creator/performer/Teaching Artist
Phone: 617-817-2603
Address:
Boston, MA 02130

Social Media:

Additional Content:

  • Go Home Tiny Monster

    a touchingly absurd story about family, home, and a gaggle of wacky monsters

  • Squirrel Stole My Underpants

    a poignantly silly adventure tale for families

  • Space for Change

    families work in community to build a safe space for all using simple materials, a little theatricality, live music, and a lot of joy

  • Play for Change

    Join Tanya Nixon-Silberg (Little Uprisings) & Bonnie Duncan (The Gottabees) as they talk about the collaboration, Play for Change. *liberation through joy & play*

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2000

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2000

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Theater - Children's

Additional Disciplines:

  • Theater - Solo / One-Person Show

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Curriculum Development
  • Residency - In School
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
  • Residency - Production / Development
  • Professional Development / Training
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Residency - Community
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 50

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Families
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Youth-At-Risk

Geographic Reach:

  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region
  • State
  • Multi-State Region
  • National
  • International

Accessibility of Services

Accessibility of Services:

  • Accessible website and/or multimedia for people with sensory disabilities

Sensory-Friendly preparation materials and performances available Squirrel Stole My Underpants, Go Home Tiny Monster, and Don't Make Me Get Dressed. All school residencies are tailored to the population we will be working with. Squirrel Stole My Underpants and Go Home Tiny Monster are non-verbal performances great for multi-lingual audiences.

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • UNIMA-USA
  • Puppeteers of America
  • TYA-USA/ASSITEJ
  • International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY)

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • UNIMA-USA
  • Puppeteers of America
  • TYA-USA/ASSITEJ
  • International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY)

Awards

Awards:

  • 2009, 2013, 2018, 2023: Jim Henson Foundation grant recipient
  • 2015, 2023: Puppeteers of America Endowment Grant recipient
  • 2021: LAB grant recipient, The Boston Foundation in collaboration with Little Uprisings
  • 2019: Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation USArtists International grant award winner
  • 2017: UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence
  • 2017: Eugene O'Neill National Puppetry Conference Emerging Artist
  • 2014: Puppeteers of America Artistic Achievement Award, Northeast Region
  • 2008, 2013: Eugene O'Neill National Puppetry Conference participant
  • 2011: "Best Touring Show," Austin Critics' Table
  • 2009: "Best of the Fringe," San Francisco Fringe Festival

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - English Language / Literacy
  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Dance
  • Theater

Certifications and Training:

  • M.Ed., Creative Arts in Learning, Lesley University

Fee range:

$200 - $9,000

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - English Language / Literacy
  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Dance
  • Theater

Certifications and Training:

  • M.Ed., Creative Arts in Learning, Lesley University

Fee range:

$200 - $9,000

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • PERFORMANCES: shows are 40 minutes + audience interaction; 12' x 10' open space; electrical outlet; general lighting; further technical information in our Tech Riders.
  • RESIDENCIES: open space in a classroom or gym, with the ability to move furniture.

Fee Range:

$1500 - $14,000

State of Residence:

Massachusetts

Minimum Number of Performers:

2

Maximum Number of Performers:

3