Who We Are

BB&G Unlimited is a small start-up theatrical puppet company. Having grown well beyond  the old tobacco shed where our ideas first blossomed, we have developed into a nation-wide puppet rental service with some fantastic man-eating plants! Our current rental is a set of sophisticated Audrey II puppets from the hit Musical Little Shop of Horrors! BB&G stands for Bankes, Bankes, & Ghormley, but it also represents a passion and love for theatre borne out of a commitment to learning, creativity, and the power of community. Theatre is a great equalizer, a tool for understanding and empathy, and an outlet for the creative and imaginative powers of the human mind. This is what BB&G strives to emulate in every puppet we build and every product we produce. And, on a more practical level, whether it's construction, electrics, props, painting, or just acting- we have experience in a wide range of theatrical areas, and we offer our services at competitive rates. 

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Robert Ghormley is an English educator and long-time theatre Director for the North Crawford Playhouse. He was the brain behind the original puppets that were built at North Crawford Playhouse and inspiration for our current model comes from Ghormley. While at North Crawford, Ghorm has taught and mentored hundreds of students about the many different aspects of Theatre. He is an inspiration to many, and is regularly consulted for his singular expertise on design and construction. 

Robert Ghormley

Brandon Bankes

As a Co-Owner of BB&G and puppet designer, Brandon loves nothing more than to explore his creative talents in developing new and interesting mechanical creations. Brandon studied alongside Brent at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he majored in English Education and double-minored in Theatre Design/Tech and Arts Administration. The current BB&G Audrey II Puppet rentals were born out of a show at UW-L. For the time being, however, Brandon teaches English at a private school in Manama, Bahrain, where he also works with 9th and 10th grade students on public speaking & script analysis projects. 

Brent is also Co-Owner of BB&G Unlimited. He is currently finishing his degree in Theatre- Design/ Tech from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse where he has worked on more than 30 productions between High School, University, and Community Theatre. Brent resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he manages a popular restaurant and works on various theatrical projects. Brent also manages rentals for BB&G. His focus in theatre lies in lighting, sound, and puppetry, but he is familiar with most aspects of theatrical production.    

Brent Bankes

What are Others Saying?

"Thank you for all your valuable information on the plant.  Your great help and tips really made the operation of the plant fun, easy, and reassuring when lifted up in the air by it."
~Ryan Rynda- Crookston Puppeteer