The Crankie Puppet Show continues a long tradition of oral storytelling through handcrafted shadow puppets and live performance. I’m Ali Everitt, the creator, artist, and puppeteer behind the screen.

My love of this art form grew out of my animation studies at UMBC, where I spent countless hours building stop-motion puppets, props, and practical mechanisms. I’ve always been drawn to visual storytelling, crafts, and the joy of entertaining.

I hadn’t encountered a crankie performance until after college, when I attended a Baltimore Circus performance featuring a live musical crankie act. I was captivated by the idea. Then, while on vacation in a little Maine cabin, I built my first crankie theater for a talent show and performed The Little Mermaid Mad-Lib style for my friends and family. It was a chaotic, funny, and unforgettable performance that planted a seed of inspiration.

Soon after, friend and owner of Old Fox Books, Janice Holmes encouraged me to create a full performance. With her patronage and encouragement, I brought my work to the Maryland Avenue Fall Festival, and I’ve been dedicated to the craft ever since.

In 2024, my shadow-puppet tribute to Over the Garden Wall’s “Schooltown Follies” was a big hit and even caught the attention of the show’s creator, Patrick McHale. Each year is a collaboration of friends and family with stories read and silly voices by my husband, Dillon King, and crowd support from my librarian mother, Leslie Everitt. I'm so grateful to have so much support from my community.

Today, I’m continuing to grow as part of Baltimore’s puppetry scene, including volunteering with Black Cherry Puppet Theater, writing original scripts, crafting new puppets, and sharing stories with new audiences.

Thank you for supporting The Crankie Puppet Show. I’m thrilled to keep creating, performing, and bringing more stories to light. There is so much more to come!