Randal J. Metz

Randal J. Metz is a professional puppeteer, variety/stage performer, writer, and director who is best known for creating puppet productions and performing for Children Fairyland's Open Storybook Puppet Theater. The company holds the record for being the oldest continuously operating puppet theater in the US. In the early years of Randal's life, he got to meet Jerry Juhl in a puppetry class taught by him and in the 1980s got to meet Frank Oz and even was apprenticed by Michael Earl. It would seem the Metz had puppetry in his eyes since childhood, which resulted to him meeting his heroes in his teenage years. From 1986-1990, he studied marionettes with Bob Baker of The Bob Baker Marionette Theater and in 1994, he participated in the Survey of Puppet Theater Techniques taught by the legendary Muppet performers. In addition to puppetry, he also wrote and published six books, all focused on puppetry in California and at Children's Fairyland. Randal J. Metz seems to be the most recognized at Fairyland based on everything he did at that park such as being child entertainer, ride operator, recreation specialist, event planner, children's theater director, artistic director, puppeteer and historian. In addition to his work at Fairyland, he has also served numerous terms as president and vice-president of the San Francisco Bay Area Puppeteers Guild. It's no wonder he's considered a professional puppeteer since he's made many accomplishments. I hope Randal is going to keep working at the Children Fairyland amusement park for years to come, or until he decides to retire, which I doubt. Metz really impressed not only children, but adults too with his puppetry skills and he should be proud that he met numerous Muppet performers throughout his life. There's no telling what this performer will have next up his sleeve. And not just puppetry, but who knows what he'll write and/or direct next in his career. Randal J. Metz, you've really outdone yourself with all of the accomplishments and performances you did throughout your life and career. Keep up the marvelous work so you'll become another one of those historic puppeteers. From childhood to adulthood, puppetry and performing has been your life, and it always will be as far as I'm concerned. Tremendous work Randal. You rock Metz!

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