About Artellephant Productions

Troupe History

Artellephant Productions is a family troupe that has performed many shows throughout the Ottawa area. Puppeteers Mike Artelle and Peggy Artelle take turns creating the cast of puppets used in each show, as well as writing the stories and directing. The scenery is often a collaboration of design ideas, and the finished pieces are then painted by Peggy. Bob Artelle is the troupe's carpenter and sound technician. He is also involved as a puppeteer for our Aesop's Fables show. Our puppet shows have been performed at regional fairs, community centres, libraries and festivals. Our stories are often based on popular fables including The Three Billy Goats, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Aesop's Fables. Original stories have included The Case of the Snowman Toppler, The Pirate Mice and Heroes Past and Present.

From time to time we also offer puppet workshops. Please vist our puppet workshops page for more information.

The Puppeteers:

Mike Artelle

From a young age, Mike Artelle has been enthusiastic about puppetry creating many puppets and original plays. Shows were performed throughout Ottawa with family or friends assisting as additional puppeteers. After attending the Eugene O'Neil Conference in 1995, Mike produced a short video production The Sea Monster and the King staring his original character Gordon the Sea Monster. In 1997 he co-founded the Ottawa Puppetry Club with Sarah Shepard to promote local puppetry, and the group is still in operation today. In 2003 Mike produced the documentary John Conway and Uncle Chichimus, in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Civilization, about the career of puppeteer John Conway who became a pioneer of Canadian television. Today, Mike continues be active in puppetry, building puppets, and doing shows or workshops in his free time.

Mike Artelle and Gordon the Seamonster walk in the parade at the Puppets Up Festival in Almonte ON, 2008.

Peggy Artelle

Peggy has created puppets and performed many shows for Artellephant Productions, as well as for Pegaron Puppetry. She was President of the Ottawa Puppetry Club for eight years, and continues to be very active in puppetry.

Bob Artelle

Having been involved for many years as our Carpenter and Sound Technician, Bob is currently a performer with Peggy in Aesop's Fables. From time to time, he has also assisted the Ottawa Puppetry Club with their variety shows.

Above photo courtesy of the Perth Courier Weekender, Aug 2008

Questions, please e-mail Mike Artelle at
artellephant@webruler.com