Brendon Gawel

Brendon Gawel is a puppeteer, actor, and director who is best known for performing on the PBS Kids Sprout (now Universal Kids) block for years. He performed Curtis E. Owl on The Sprout Sharing Show and was one of the puppeteers for Chica on The Sunny Side Up Show (alternating with Forrest Harding and others). On Sprout, Brendon got to perform alongside some Sesame Street performers when their characters have made occasional guest appearances. Other performers Gawel worked with include Kelly Vrooman, Kevin Yamada, and Forrest Harding, all on The Sprout Sharing Show. I'll bet he felt proud to entertain little children for many years as a puppeteer on Sprout. Outside of Sprout, he serves as director for the Philadelphia Children's Theatre and founded Ombelico Mask Ensemble, he's been working at the latter since founding it of course. Other companies Brendon Gawel worked at, besides the one above, include Mum Puppettheatre, Walking Fish Theatre, and Clowns Without Borders, to name a few. He is such a talented director and puppeteer as well since he's done each skill for years. His work at Ombelico has also given him the opportunity to work with performers and designers from around the world which some of the shows took place at too. Brendon should share this info the next time he gets interviewed on a podcast or a television appearance or something. Gawel must've had difficulties doing the puppetry for Chica since her voice comes from a squeaker, in order for it to be the same. As for playing Curtis, it must be easier since it's a simple design and he uses his own voice. Whatever the case is, he did terrific as a puppeteer on Sprout for almost the whole run before it rebranded into Universal. Brendon Gawel, you've entertained children around the world with your puppets on Sprout. You're also doing a splendid job running and directing Ombelico Mask Ensemble. Keep on performing and directing so that you will go down in history as a magnificent entertainer. Real cool Brendon. Always remain hip Gawel!