The Puppetry of Tom Tuke / Paloma Puppet Theatre

Kia Ora! I am a puppeteer, artist and educator based in Connecticut.

All photographs by Richard termine, unless otherwise stated.

About me:

Tom Tuke

I was born and raised in Aotearoa / New Zealand, where i studied Visual art and education at Auckland Unversity. after some time teaching in high schools, and exhibiting in galleries around new zealand, i discovered puppetry in 2018. I developed my first marionette show, "Paloma and the do of Death" and toured it around Aotearoa. I was accepted in to the University of Connecticuts puppet Arts Program in 2022, and graduated in 2025. I have been performing throughout the Northeast of the US, at Bread and puppet in Vermont, Puppet showplace in boston, the new york puppet fringe festival.

My UConn Puppet Arts MFA Show

The City That Slept

This puppet show asks: What Happens when sleep arrives in the city that never sleeps? We hear New Yorkers describe their dreams, and watch as the dreams rise up up the city. I am hoping to tour this show around the north east in 2025/26. Please get in touch if you want me to bring the show to a town near you!

The Company:

Paloma Puppetry LLC

I started Paloma Puppet Theatre in New Zealand in 2019. I took my marionette show around the country. After moving to the USA in 2022, and now having completed my degree, I have started "Paloma Puppetry LLC" and am trying to turn my expertise in puppet fabrication, directing and performance into a career.Photo by Zoe Dunster

A Hand Puppet Show:

paloma and the new death

The grim reaper has taken a vactaion on a tropical island. When a castaway, paloma, realizes she has washed up on the same beach, chaos ensues. This hand puppet show is ready to come to your theatre/home/party!Photo by Johanna Jackson

Puppet Slams and other Projects

I am often performing short pieces in variety shows and puppet slams.These are formats in which we test new work and push the boundaries of what is possible in the artform. Keep an eye on my instagram page for upcoming shows! If you want me to be in your local slam, or perform a series of variety acts, email me.Photo By Johanna Jackson

I live on the land of the Mohegan, Eastern Pequot, Mashantucket Pequot and Nipmuc people, who have resisted colonization for centuries.