(BARDSTOWN, Ky.)-In a quaint workshop tucked away in Bardstown, something magical was happening. While most people were humming “Do-Re-Mi” and practicing their Austrian accents, a small army of artisans was quietly orchestrating what might be the most charming theatrical conspiracy of the summer.
It all started when Props Coordinator Jasmine Akridge faced a dilemma that would make even Captain von Trapp snap to attention: how do you bring the beloved Lonely Goatherd marionettes from the classic film to life on stage at My Old Kentucky Home State Park?
“We could buy some generic puppets,” Jasmine mused, scrolling through theatrical supply catalogs. But generic wasn’t going to cut it for the Stephen Foster Drama Association’s production of “The Sound of Music.” This show deserved something special—something that would make audiences lean forward in their seats and whisper, “How did they do that?”
Enter the unlikely dream team of puppet creation. Jasmine discovered 3D print files that could serve as the foundation, but she needed a master craftsman to bring them into the physical world. That’s where Matt St. John stepped in, his 3D printer humming to life like a high-tech fairy godmother, layer by layer creating the tiny bodies that would soon dance across the stage.
But raw printed pieces are just the beginning of any good puppet story. Jasmine rolled up her sleeves and transformed those plain plastic forms into characters with personality, her paintbrush adding rosy cheeks, twinkling eyes, and all the charm of traditional Austrian folk art. Each stroke brought the marionettes closer to their destiny under the stage lights.
The final touch came from costume team member Erika Campbell, who approached each tiny figure like a personal stylist preparing for the Met Gala. Miniature lederhosen, delicate dirndls, and perfectly proportioned accessories turned these 3D-printed shells into characters ready for their close-up.
The result? When the curtain rises and the Lonely Goatherd sequence begins, audiences witness something that bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and old-world craftsmanship. These aren’t just props—they’re a testament to what happens when a community decides that good enough simply isn’t good enough.
The magic doesn’t stop with marionettes. From the sweeping sets that transform the amphitheater into the Austrian Alps to the costumes that make every von Trapp child look picture-perfect, this production showcases the kind of attention to detail that turns a local theater production into an unforgettable experience.
With shows opening July 9th, theater lovers have just a few chances left to witness this labor of love:
- Friday, August 1st
- Wednesday, August 6th
All performances begin at 8 p.m., when the Kentucky evening air provides the perfect backdrop for songs that have been warming hearts for generations.
So come for the music, stay for the marionettes, and leave marveling at what a community can create when everyone pulls their strings in the same direction. After all, in Bardstown, the hills are alive with more than just the sound of music—they’re alive with the sound of imagination made real.