A short biography

Mystic Midway and Carnival of Wonders Puppet Theater have been providing high quality, engaging entertainment  in the Bay Area and abroad since 1990 at  numerous shopping centers, Corporate events, Hotels, libraries, Ghiradhelli Square, street fairs, played many summers in a row at the Golden Gate Park Carousel and has taught Punch and Judy Tradition at local museums, rec centers and schools.

Scott Levkoff’s colorful, engaging, costume characters have brought mirth and merriment to countless corporate and festival environments as well since the early 90’s.

He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and England as well, performing at countless fairs and festivals.

Television HBO SHOWTIME The Learning Channel The Living Edge- Germany Strange Universe The Dini Petty Show- Canada Channel 4- UK   Fairs and Festivals Northern and Southern Renaissance Faires- CA Dickens Christmas Fair- CA,SF Childrens Festival- Covent Garden, London, UK Punch and Judy Festival- London, UK International Festival Des’ Marionettes- France Festival D’Avignon- France Calistoga Mustard Festival- CA Festival Fantochio San Francisco, Ca Union Street Festival The North Beach Festival Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Ghiradelli Square Holiday Festival

Corporate Microsoft Emporium Lockheed ABC Disney Macys Nordstrums Emporium Silicon Graphics Oracle Electronic Arts Sony XBOX Hotel Sofitel Hotel Donatello Hotel St. Francis The Bubble Lounge Sun Microsystems LucasArts Microprose

Scott on his beginnings….

Mystic Midway and Carnival of Wonders were born with my exposure to live performance and entertainment I experienced when I was young.

Those first memorable experiences in which I found myself inexplicably drawn, delivered by performers now long forgotten, revealed the power, beauty and endless possibilities living theatrical traditions could convey.

 As soon as I began to come into my own voice and talent, I soon realized that the theatrical and performance traditions to which I was drawn could not be taught and set out to absorb and study as much and as widely as I could.

Since those early years, I’ve committed my life to study of any tradition which could help me creat rich and rewarding experiences for my audiences.

Immersing myself in Street Theater, Puppetry, Faire /Carnival Entertainment, Seasonal Celebrations, Improv Comedy, Pantomine, Clowning, Circus SideShow and Vaudeville-Cabaret served as my education.

In the first years of my career, when I asked a great puppeteer with whom should I study, he merely replied- “just keep performing”, and so, I did.

 Through extensive travels in England, Europe and the US I have had the honor of meeting many amazing talents, seen many breathtaking performances and had the pleasure of performing alongside some real legends.

Special Thanks

I thank such notable puppeteers and talents such as Percy Press Jr, David Claridge, Mike OZ, Mark Petrakis, Bob Hartman, Paul Nathan, Letie Shubert, John Brundle, Glen Edwards and others for sharing their wisdom, insight, support and techniques.

I also extend a hearty HUZZAH to Ron and Phyllis Patterson, the creators of The Renaissance Pleasure Faire for creating a rich, living environment of costumed pageantry in which I could discover my talents for character improv, puppetry and comic tom-foolery.

I thank Tim Cridland, todays’ top living SideShow entertainer and historian for taking me on as his carny frontman  sight unseen for that first tour and giving me the chance to ‘ turn the tip’.

Special thanks to Rick of Rick Hearns Productions for being the first to hire Sir Bumble of Bee and Carnival of Wonders, what now seems like a lifetime ago.