Strings of Legacy: The Journey of John F. Hopkins and Le Theatre de Marionette

In the heart of Arlington, Texas, a young boy's fascination with woodcarving sparked a lifelong passion that would enchant audiences for decades.  

We are so excited to announce that John F. Hopkins’ Le Theatre de Marionette is our featured experience for the May 2 First Thursday! Here is the story of Hopkins’ rise to puppeteer success. 

Early years 

John F. Hopkins, the visionary behind Le Theatre de Marionette, began his journey in 1973 at just 13 years old. What began as woodcarving in a Boy Scouts class in Arlington, Texas, would one day delight audiences across the country. 

Hopkins’ early creations were nativity figures—small, humble pieces shaped with surprising skill for someone so young. Soon, his family’s garage became a workshop where he experimented with more elaborate designs. 

By age 16, he had taken his talents to the next level, joining Six Flags Over Texas. There, he was introduced to the world of puppetry. It didn’t take long for him to audition for the park’s puppet theater, and less time for him to make an impression. Combining his passion for woodworking with the art of performance, Hopkins began crafting and performing with his first marionettes. 

At age 19, Hopkins was building the majority of puppets used not just in Texas, but in Six Flags theme parks across Georgia, Missouri and California. 

A whirlwind of opportunity followed. Hopkins’ artistry and storytelling ability earned him projects with legendary entertainment companies, including Disney, New Line Cinema, Sid and Marty Krofft and the Children’s Television Workshop, the group behind Sesame Street. Even Hollywood came calling. Hopkins helped build sets for Warner Brothers’ Batman franchise. Despite this success, the draw of home was stronger than the glitz of Los Angeles. 

Back to his roots 

In 1990, Hopkins made the bold decision to return to his hometown of Arlington. Using the money he’d saved from Hollywood projects, he transformed the old Greyhound bus station on Elm Street into a puppet theater, the first home of Le Theatre de Marionette. 

While the early days were not without challenges, the theater found its rhythm. Le Theatre de Marionette became a staple in the local arts scene, charming children and adults alike. Over the next two decades, Hopkins opened six different theater spaces and launched a wide range of productions across Texas, particularly noted for his signature holiday-themed marionette shows. 

“Instead of just building another puppet show, I try to create an experience that utilizes puppetry in the storytelling,” Hopkins said. 

By 2019, Hopkins returned to his theme park roots in a poetic full-circle moment. He established a permanent marionette theater at the State Fair of Texas, bringing back the spirit of the grand puppet spectacles once performed at Six Flags. 

The business today 

Today, Hopkins’ company LTDM Entertainment is more than a one-man operation. It includes a dedicated team of performers, artists and technicians who maintain and perform an ever-growing roster of shows. In 2024, the company cataloged over 700 marionettes stored at their Fort Worth warehouse. 

“I’m proud that we could reinvigorate an artform that was all but extinct in the United States,” Hopkins said. 

Hopkins is now hard at work on his most ambitious project to date: a fully immersive marionette adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, set to open in North Dallas in Fall 2025. This show promises a fresh take on the timeless story, built with cutting-edge puppetry and the same handcrafted charm that has defined Hopkins’ work for over 50 years. 

May First Thursdays 

The company’s reach has also grown geographically. Supported by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts, LTDM tours their marionette productions to schools, festivals and special events across the state, continuing a mission to bring high-quality puppetry to children and families everywhere. 

Thanks to a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, Downtown Arlington presents the Kid Cabaret Marionette Show by Le Theatre de Marionette at the historic Arlington Music Hall for the next First Thursday! The captivating kid-friendly cabaret marionette show will bring stories and music to life with masterfully crafted puppets. 

Event Details: 

Time: 5:00 p.m. (45-minute performance) 

Location: Arlington Music Hall 

Recommended Min. Ages: 3-5 years 

Target Age Range: 5-12 years (but enjoyable for all ages) 

Admission: Free! 

“I remember having weekly coffee with Johnnie High as he built out his theater, transforming the older movie theater to the Music Hall. I told him I played on a little league baseball team with Victor Vandergriff in 1970. His dad Tom opened my theater in 1992. I went to 12 years of school in Arlington and eventually UTA,” Hopkins shared. “Arlington… the whole city was my home, not just a place where I’m from. Who doesn’t love going back home?” 

For a deeper look into Hopkins' journey and the magic of Le Theatre de Marionette, watch this feature by Texas Country Reporter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us_SJ8mci9s&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fchatgpt.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE