Columbia Marionette Theatre about us

A second generation puppeteer, John Scollon has been around puppetry all his life. He was touring nationally by age 15, and co-founded The Columbia Marionette Theatre in 1989. He has written and directed many of CMT's productions over the years, including Pinocchio, Jack and the Giants, Rumplestiltskin, and the Brementown Musicians. John also composes the music and soundtrack for each show.

Lyon joined the Columbia Marionette Theatre in 1997 and has puppeteered in nearly every production since then. He has directed several shows for CMT, including Greek Myths, Aladdin, and Frankenstein. Lyon began making puppets for new productions in 2000. He has studied puppetmaking in Prague and his puppets have been shown internationally. You can see Lyon's artwork at www.mermecolion.com.

Kimi Maeda wrote, directed, and designed the set for Columbia Marionette Theatre’s “The Little Mermaid.” She has designed the sets and/or costumes for La Mama E.T.C.’s “Cherry Orchard Sequel,” Pig Iron Theatre’s “The House Where Nobody Lives,” Visible Theatre’s “Krankenhaus Blues,” Pilgrim Theatre’s “N,” Goshen College’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” Theatre South Carolina’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Trojan Women,” “Polaroid Stories,” “The Crucible,” “Othello,” “The Real Inspector Hound,” “The Tempest,” “Romeo and Juliet” and Baltimore Theatre Project’s “Looking for Lulu.” Kimi received her MFA in scenic design from the University of South Carolina and was the recipient of the 2005 Rose Brand Award from the United States Institute of Theatre Technology. She received her MA in Scenography from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London where she wrote, directed, and designed “Even Clairvoyants Need to Eat,” “The Lonely Lexicon,” and “Glimpse of a Shapeshifter.” Kimi received her BA in studio art from Williams College. You can see Kimi's artwork at www.kimimaeda.com.

Before he started in 2005, Jason had been a regular visitor to the theater since 1996; visiting nearly every show put on by the company. Now, two and a half years later, he is performing shows all over the state and at the theater, as well as lending his voice to new productions. In 2007, he was offered the position of House Manager and now is a full-time staff member. Jason, now 18 and heading to college, wants to further his stage education with degrees in theatrical scenic & lighting design, which he hopes to bring to the CMT stage.

Ashley Warthen is a Columbia native, and a graduate of University of South Carolina. She has always had a passion for the arts, specifically in drawing and photography, and upon receiving a BFA in Art Education, began teaching art to children of all ages in public school settings as well as privately. The Marionette Theater provides a great outlet for her two passions in life: children and art. Ashley has worked as a puppeteer at the Marionette Theater since April 2007.


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Founded in 1988 by Allie Scollon and her son John as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Columbia Marionette Theatre has grown and established itself as a premiere children’s theatre in South Carolina. Our mission is to entertain and educate children and adults across the state of South Carolina through the long-standing tradition and artistry of puppetry. Originally housed in a turn-of-the-century warehouse in the Vista, the theatre moved in 1995 to a building specifically designed and built for its use at its current location near Riverfront Park. Puppets, ranging from Tinkerbelle’s twelve inches to Zeus’s five feet, appear on a stage that is thirty feet wide. In addition to hosting field trips from schools and daycares to see our mainstage productions, our traveling troupe is available to come to you. These performances include traditional fairy tales as well as educational shows about substance abuse, litter prevention, and dental health. All productions are created entirely in house. The script is written, the puppets are made, the soundtrack is recorded, and the sets are painted by our team of talented artists. With dedicated full-time staff members, each production takes several months to create from start to finish.
Ashley Warthen, Kimi Maeda, Jason Laramee, John Scollon, and Lyon Hill
Our Staff: John Scollon, Executive Director A second generation puppeteer, John Scollon has been around puppetry all his life. He was touring nationally by age 15, and co-founded The Columbia Marionette Theatre in 1989. He has written and directed many of CMT's productions over the years, including Pinocchio, Jack and the Giants, Rumplestiltskin, and the Brementown Musicians. John also composes the music and soundtrack for each show. Lyon Forrest Hill, Artistic Director Lyon joined the Columbia Marionette Theatre in 1997 and has puppeteered in nearly every production since then. He has directed several shows for CMT, including Greek Myths, Aladdin, and Frankenstein. Lyon began making puppets for new productions in 2000. He has studied puppetmaking in Prague and his puppets have been shown internationally. You can see Lyon's artwork at www.mermecolion.com. Kimi Maeda, Puppeteer and Set Designer Kimi Maeda wrote, directed, and designed the set for Columbia Marionette Theatre’s “The Little Mermaid.” She has designed the sets and/or costumes for La Mama E.T.C.’s “Cherry Orchard Sequel,” Pig Iron Theatre’s “The House Where Nobody Lives,” Visible Theatre’s “Krankenhaus Blues,” Pilgrim Theatre’s “N,” Goshen College’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” Theatre South Carolina’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Trojan Women,” “Polaroid Stories,” “The Crucible,” “Othello,” “The Real Inspector Hound,” “The Tempest,” “Romeo and Juliet” and Baltimore Theatre Project’s “Looking for Lulu.” Kimi received her MFA in scenic design from the University of South Carolina and was the recipient of the 2005 Rose Brand Award from the United States Institute of Theatre Technology. She received her MA in Scenography from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London where she wrote, directed, and designed “Even Clairvoyants Need to Eat,” “The Lonely Lexicon,” and “Glimpse of a Shapeshifter.” Kimi received her BA in studio art from Williams College. You can see Kimi's artwork at www.kimimaeda.com. Jason Laramee, Puppeteer and House Manager Before he started in 2005, Jason had been a regular visitor to the theater since 1996; visiting nearly every show put on by the company. Now, two and a half years later, he is performing shows all over the state and at the theater, as well as lending his voice to new productions. In 2007, he was offered the position of House Manager and now is a full-time staff member. Jason, now 18 and heading to college, wants to further his stage education with degrees in theatrical scenic & lighting design, which he hopes to bring to the CMT stage. Ashley Warthen, Puppeteer and Traveling Manager Ashley Warthen is a Columbia native, and a graduate of University of South Carolina. She has always had a passion for the arts, specifically in drawing and photography, and upon receiving a BFA in Art Education, began teaching art to children of all ages in public school settings as well as privately. The Marionette Theater provides a great outlet for her two passions in life: children and art. Ashley has worked as a puppeteer at the Marionette Theater since April 2007. Laura Polhill, Front of House Christina Craven, Puppeteer Karri Scollon, Costume Mistress
Columbia Marionette Theatre 2008 Board of Directors Cheryl Bertics, DNA Web Media Wayne Corley, Corely and Company, CPAs, LLC Cheryl Holland, ABACUS Planning Groups, Inc. Gary Pozsik, WTGH 620 AM Allie Scollon, Chairwoman Emeritus Bill Scollon, Scollon Productions, Inc. John Scollon, Attending Staff Karri Roper Scollon, Piedmont Technical College Dr. Tracy Young Our Sponsors Columbia Marionette Theatre would like to thank all of our generous sponsors and donors. Their support helps us provide excellent quality programming that is accessible to the entire community and ensures low ticket prices. -The American Dental Association, South Carolina Dental Association, and DHEC’s Oral Health Division provided support for “Flora and Floppy Go to the Dentist,” a traveling show that teaches young children to care for their teeth. -The City of Columbia has long been a friend and supporter of the arts and has provided support through its Community Promotions and Accommodations Tax funds. -Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties provides major annual support for the theatre’s programming. -PalmettoPride continues its enduring partnership by sponsoring 'Litter Trashes Everyone', a traveling show designed to teach elementary school children about littering. -South Carolina Arts Commission provides biennial support for the theatre’s entire year of programming. -The Sunshine Fund continues its support by sponsoring “Me and My Big Mouth,” a traveling show about dental health.