How one COA puppetry class became a family business
WABI TV5 profiles Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, the Bar Harbor company Erik Torbeck ’95 runs with his siblings, Brian Torbeck and Robin Erlandsen.
“We did The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow and that was the start of it. Now we can’t stop” — Erik Torbeck '95.
By Joy Hollowell | WABI TV5
Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers is celebrating its 26th year of bringing handmade hilarity to Maine audiences. The sibling creators perform shows year round in Maine, across the United States and in Canada.
Brian and Erik Torbeck, along with their sister Robin Erlandsen, make up Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers. The trio started putting on shows in 2000.
How it started
Erik said he took a puppetry class during his last year at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, which led to the creation of the group.
“We blame it on Erik for starting it,” says Erlandsen, laughing.
“I went to College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor and I took a class in puppetry my last year,” Erik said. “Andrew and Bonnie Periale of Perry Alley Theater in New Hampshire taught it.”
“[Erick’s} the oldest so then he pulled Brian in. And I’m the youngest, I got pulled in last,” Erlandsen said.
“We did the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow and that was the start of it. Now we can’t stop,” adds Erik, chuckling.