Stefano Brancato Puppetry and Theater Making

Welcome to

Stefano Brancato Designs

Stefano utilizes visual elements such as puppetry, masks and objects to bring stories to life.

Stefano is an experienced and passionate director, designer and puppet fabricator. His work has been seen on Broadway, Off Broadway, Regional Theaters and International Stages. He’s also made puppets for parades, cruises and zoos. I’ve worked at the Jim Henson Creature Shop, making puppets and props for SESAME STREET and other projects. Stefano has been the recipient of many grants and scholarships to develop original, full stage productions featuring puppets and actors.

Portfolio Below…

The photos below are an array of projects Stefano has worked on representing his design, performance and directorial credits. For specific credits please refer to the text below each photo.

"Icarus" Created by Stefano Brancato and Michael Bush.
Puppet Design: Michael Bush.
Direction: Stefano Brancato — "Icarus" Created by Stefano Brancato and Michael Bush. Puppet Design: Michael Bush. Direction: Stefano Brancato

"Icarus" Created by Stefano Brancato and Michal Bush. Puppet Design: Michael Bush. Direction Stefano Brancato

Frank Wildhorn's
"Tears of Heaven" Seoul; Korea
Puppet Design, Puppet Direction and Fabrication by: Stefano Brancato
Puppetry Associate: Zach Dorn — Frank Wildhorn's "Tears of Heaven" Seoul; Korea Puppet Design, Puppet Direction and Fabrication by: Stefano Brancato Puppetry Associate: Zach Dorn

"The Indelible Mark on Edward Barron"
Co-Creators and Co-Directors: Stefano Brancato and Michael Goldfried.
Puppetry Design and Puppetry Direction by: Stefano Brancato — "The Indelible Mark on Edward Barron" Co-Creators and Co-Directors: Stefano Brancato and Michael Goldfried. Puppetry Design and Puppetry Direction by: Stefano Brancato

"El Gato Con Botas"; Lead Puppeteer and Associate Director: Stefano Brancato. Puppets by: Blind Summit
Direction by: Moises Kauffman — "El Gato Con Botas"; Lead Puppeteer and Associate Director: Stefano Brancato. Puppets by: Blind Summit Direction by: Moises Kauffman

"El Gato Con Botas"; Lead Puppeteer and Rehearsal Director: Stefano Brancato. Puppets by Blind Summit

"Mrs. Smith Presents..."
Puppet Design and Puppet Direction by: Stefano Brancato — "Mrs. Smith Presents..." Puppet Design and Puppet Direction by: Stefano Brancato

Juneteeth Parade Puppet; Davenport Iowa.
Puppet Design and Puppet Direction by: Stefano Brancato — Juneteeth Parade Puppet; Davenport Iowa. Puppet Design and Puppet Direction by: Stefano Brancato

"Hood", Associate Puppet Design and Puppet Director: Stefano Brancato. Lead Puppet Designer and Puppet Director: James Ortiz

San Diego Zoo 100th Anniversary
Puppets Design: Puppet Kitchen. Fabrication Assistant and Project Manger: Stefano Brancato — San Diego Zoo 100th Anniversary Puppets Design: Puppet Kitchen. Fabrication Assistant and Project Manger: Stefano Brancato

"Sound of the Silk Road". China.
Slated for Broadway 2026.
Puppet Design by: Stefano Brancato — "Sound of the Silk Road". China. Slated for Broadway 2026. Puppet Design by: Stefano Brancato

"Other World"; Puppet Design: AchesonWalsh Studios. Puppet Choreographer: Stefano Brancato