Bob Baker Marionette Theater

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a historic puppet theater located in Highland Park, Los Angeles. The performance space features a red-draped stage with clown figurines positioned at each corner and seating arranged in a U-shape for intimate viewing.

This theater began in 1963 and grew from a scenic design shop into the longest-running puppet theater in the country. The operation moved to a restored 1920s cinema building in 2019 after decades at its first location.

Performances here bring handcrafted marionettes to life on stage, telling stories from classic ballets to tales about Los Angeles itself. The U-shaped seating places audiences close enough to notice the subtle movements and details of each figure.

Public transportation is the best way to reach this location, as parking in the area can be limited. Plan to arrive early so you have time to explore the neighborhood before or after the show.

The theater houses a collection of about 4.000 handcrafted marionettes, each built with remarkable detail. Bob Baker developed these puppeteering techniques during his work as an animation consultant for major motion picture studios.