Welcome to our puppet-infused world!
Performances and workshops for all ages - touring locally, nationally
and internationally,
in person and on-demand.
Programs to inspire, empower, spark curiousity and grow empathy.
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STUDENTS
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CLASSROOM TEACHERS
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FAMILY FUN
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CARE PROFESSIONALS
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WHY!
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CHILDREN
“Without her, the puppets are lifeless rags on an empty stage.
In her hands, they dance, cry, discover and dream.”
Our Story
“Once upon a time, two little girls, Wendy and Pam, crawled into their attic to create puppets from popsicle sticks and cardboard, making epics with sock puppets.”
Inspired by these childhood memories, Wendy founded the WP Puppet Theatre Society (WPTS) as a not-for-profit charitable organization, with a mandate to use the power of puppetry to impact positive social change.
Since 1991 our impact has been deep and wide.
We’ve championed the environment, supported mental health and wiggled our noses like a rabbit. We’ve performed on tables, on art centre stages, and on country fairgrounds. We’ve flown to airfields in Canada’s northern forests and airports around the world. We’ve introduced our puppet programs to thousands of people and from thousands of audiences, we’ve learned, wondered, queried, cried, laughed and exchanged humanity via these amazing inanimate objects!
In June 2026 the Society officially dissolved. However Wendy continues as an independent artist under the name WP Puppet Theatre offering selected live puppet performances and workshops and overseeing several of the Society's legacy resources.
Why Puppets?
“When we perform, a wonderful bond is formed, as the audience collectively bring the puppets ‘to life’ through their imaginations.”
Puppets speak an innovative language that has long been a voice through which creative individuals have challenged authority and delivered powerful social messages. This creative platform creates a space to express controversial and social issues to help our modern minds generate fresh ideas and work collaboratively. Leading to thought-provoking experiences to create conversations about controversial and uncomfortable issues
Purposeful Inclusion
We are committed to policies and practices that support the purposeful inclusion of all people.
We value the diversity of racial and cultural identity and background, nationality, sexual and affectional orientation, gender identity and its expression, religious background and belief, marital status, family structure, age, mental and physical health and ability, political perspective, and educational status.
Wendy Passmore-Godfrey
Artistic Director and Principle Performer
(She/her) Wendy's interests span the wonder of science and the whimsy of imagination, always exploring the "why" behind the world we live in. She approaches her work with an entrepreneurial "let's try it" spirit and an unbounded curiosity that results in a delightful mash-up of genres, mediums, and ideas.
A visual storyteller as well as a puppeteer, Wendy's artistic practice extends into altered books, found objects, photography, collage, video, and mixed media, all informed by and evolving from her professional work in puppetry.
She adheres to the Rules of Civil Conversation
After 35 wonderful years, W.P. Puppet Theatre Society officially dissolved as a not-for-profit charitable organization on June 30, 2026.
Since our incorporation in 1991, we have been privileged to share the power of puppetry with thousands of people in Calgary and beyond. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our community.
Whether you were a funder, sponsor, donor, volunteer, artist, participant, audience member, community partner, or friend, thank you for believing in our work and helping make our journey possible. We are deeply grateful.
While the Society has come to a close, the work continues. Founder Wendy Passmore-Godfrey will carry on as an independent artist under the name WP Puppet Theatre offering selected live puppet performances and workshops, continuing to explore the remarkable world of puppetry.
Wendy will also oversee several of the Society's legacy resources, including:
our on-demand VIEW Facilitator Training Course
personal screenings of Baxter and Bird
and other puppet-based resources developed over the years.
Finally, our special thanks to the many dedicated individuals who served on our Board of Directors over the past 35 years. We are equally grateful to our staff, whose passion, creativity, and commitment helped shape W.P. Puppet Theatre Society into the organization it became.
Thank you for being part of our story. The friendships, partnerships, and memories we've created together will continue to inspire the work that lies ahead.