Founder and Director, Bread & Puppet Theater
Bread and Puppet Theater
Peter Schumann was born in 1934 in Silesia, now Poland. He studied and practiced sculpture and dance in Germany, moved to the US in 1961, and founded Bread and Puppet Theater in New York City in 1963. From hand and rod puppet shows in the streets to giant puppet parades, Schumann addressed local injustices as well as the Vietnam War.
In 1970, Schumann and the company moved to Vermont. There he continues to build puppets and create shows and giant outdoor spectacles. His works are performed locally and internationally. He enjoys baking bread, growing garlic and splitting firewood.
Schumann is married to Elka Leigh Scott, and they live in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. They have five children and five grandchildren.