Camp One, a two-week session meeting four hours daily, presented a fully staged musical production of Disney’s “The Aristocats Kids,” complete with songs, choreography, memorized lines and props. 

Camp Two, a one-week session meeting two hours daily for ages 7-11, performed a staged reading of “I Am Wanda Gág for Kids” by Lorie Jewell, followed by three new puppet productions: “Millions of Cats” by Wanda Gág, “Herbie the Hedgehog Moves to New Ulm” and “Gertie the Goose is in Trouble,” both by Jewell with co-creator Dr. Ann Vogel.

Jewell, executive director of State Street Theater and a costume designer, said the new puppet shows highlight New Ulm’s culture and will become part of the city’s popular Puppet Wagon.

“Another way to share and highlight the culture of New Ulm is through the three brand new puppet shows that debuted in today’s Camp Two final performance,” she said. “With the help of Dr. Ann Vogel, I wrote two puppet shows depicting the origin stories of two beloved local folklore characters.”

Camp One performers act out Edgar’s scheme to send the cats to Timbuktu during their production of Disney’s “The Aristocats Kids” at State Street Theater on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo by Amy Zents)

Dr. Ann Vogel, co-creator of the puppet shows, called the children’s performance “a smashing success.”

The third show adapts Wanda Gág’s now public-domain classic “Millions of Cats,” into a hilarious puppet play.

Jewell and her husband, Jesse, built most of the puppets over the past week, finishing some as late as the night before the show.

The shows were funded in part by a City of New Ulm grant and will become a permanent part of the Puppet Wagon repertoire for weekly performances at the city’s seven regular park spots beginning next week.

Jewell explained the staged reading format for the Wanda Gág piece.

Camp Directors Jennifer Olseth (left) and Madeline Cacciatore-Warta (right) pose with Madeline’s daughter Cece after the free summer camp showcase at State Street Theater on Friday, June 26, 2026.

“The campers performed ‘I Am Wanda Gág for Kids’ today as a staged reading instead of a full play. That was simply due to the fact that Camp Two is only a one-week camp, two hours a day. 

A staged reading gave them an opportunity to become familiar with the material but without the pressure of a fully staged performance.”

Camp registration was handled through New Ulm Park & Recreation. The camps made a deliberate effort to be inclusive, inviting campers on the autism spectrum and welcoming those who work best with a Personal Care Assistant. 

Organizers also partnered with Amigos de New Ulm to reach English-language learners. 

ASL interpreter Brenda Longworth, a New Ulm native who grew up in the Goosetown neighborhood, signed the performance so that a deaf grandparent and other audience members could fully enjoy the show.

ASL interpreter Brenda Longworth (left) poses with Dr. Ann Vogel, co-creator of the new puppet shows, after the free summer camp showcase at State Street Theater on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo by Amy Zents)

Jennifer Olseth, a full-time special education teacher from Mankato, served as camp director and gave opening remarks. 

Madeline Cacciatore-Warta, who teaches music in ISD 88 and serves as music director for the upcoming “Matilda” July 24-26, was assistant camp director. Landon Hudson is directing “Matilda.”

Ben Doeden, recreation program supervisor for the City of New Ulm, praised the partnership.

“After making the connection with State Street Theater a few years ago we feel it has only elevated both the youth’s experience as well as the quality of performance with the expertise they bring and the wonderful venue,” he said.

The one-hour show attracted a larger-than-expected and enthusiastic crowd of families. 

Audience members especially enjoyed the “Aristocats Kids” performance, with its lively songs such as “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” and colorful projected backgrounds. 

Jewell said the PowerPoint projection scenery is becoming an industry standard in local theater productions for it’s ease and cost-effectiveness.

Young performer Miranda Peterson, daughter of Kim and Dan Peterson, said memorizing the songs, dances and lines “was OK for me.” 

Peterson is one of several cast members also involved in the upcoming “Matilda.”

The summer camps teach theater basics, teamwork and confidence while delivering fun, family-friendly entertainment. 

This performance, the second annual free children’s show, launches expanded children’s theater programming by State Street Theater.

Olseth and Cacciatore-Warta stated in the program, that it had been “a wonderful experience working with such a creative group of students. Their dedication to helping each other and determination to put on a show brought this fun story to life.”

The event was free and open to the public at State Street Theater, 1 N. State Street. For more information on upcoming shows and Puppet Wagon performances, visit www.statestreetnewulm.org or contact New Ulm Parks & Recreation.