William B. Fosser’s Puppet Production, Opera in Focus, presents fully staged scenes from well-known operas in performances that run about one hour in length. Each performance may offer between three to five scenes, depending on the length of the individual scene. A narration of the action by the well-known actor Tony Mockus precedes each scene. At the conclusion of each performance, a demonstration of the operation of the puppets and a tour of our highly technical backstage area are offered.
The puppets are manipulated from below the stage floor and are capable of very life-like action and dramatic gestures for which opera singers are so famous. Opera in Focus was first presented in Chicago for live audiences in 1958 and has been permanently installed in Rolling Meadows since 1993.
Although the puppet opera takes place on a stage only five feet wide and two feet deep, the illusion of live opera prevails. Opera in Focus performances are capable of charming a wide range of audiences—from from the lover of opera to the adult or child simply fascinated by the fine art of puppetry and sophisticated stagecraft.
When Mr. Fosser was Artistic Director of the Kungsholm Miniature Grand Opera (see the HISTORY section of our website for more information about the old Kungsholm), he met a gifted 17-year-old puppeteer named Paul Guerra, with whom he went on to create and perform a great number of puppet opera productions. In addition to being a Master Puppeteer, Mr. Guerra was also a brilliant costume designer who conceived and executed most of the beautiful and intricate costumes used in Opera in Focus productions. Since his passing on August 8th 2007, additional costumes have been made by Judy Thomson, Cat Bernier, Anthony Satoh, and Opera in Focus Principal Puppeteer, Leilani Barzyk.
Shortly after opening at Park Central in Rolling Meadows in December of 1993, William “Will” E. Harder joined the crew. Will, a retired Motion Picture Executive and cinematographer, had been a close friend of Mr. Fosser’s since the two met in the ’50s while both were working in the commercial film industry. He remained a vital force within the Opera in Focus crew for over a decade, conceiving and executing the beautiful rear-screen projections used in our productions, developing many innovative backstage technical capabilities, and breathing life into our beloved conductor, Maestro Tosci. Will Harder retired at the end of the Puppet Opera’s 2007 season and remained a staunch supporter, technical advisor, and beloved member of the OIF family until his passing in 2014 at the age of 84.
Justin & Shayne Snyder joined OPERA IN FOCUS when they were high school students several decades ago as apprentice puppeteers and backstage technicians. During their time training under Bill Fosser, Paul Guerra, and Will Harder, they were instructed in every aspect of their craft—from the manipulation of the puppets themselves to the design and building of new puppets, scenery, and props. As their friendship with their mentors and devotion to the Puppet Opera grew over the years, the Snyder brothers were selected by Bill Fosser as his successors in keeping the Chicago Puppet Opera tradition alive.
Since Fosser’s passing on February 19th 2006, the Snyder brothers have continued to preserve the Chicago Miniature Grand Opera tradition. Under their direction, the Puppet Opera continues to enthrall and enchant newer generations of audiences from around the world. In addition to performing weekly, building new productions each year, and training the next generation of apprentice puppeteers, they regularly take part in public speaking engagements and workshops promoting the theatre and educating folks of all ages about the history of Chicago-style Rod Puppet Opera (a nearly 100-year-old tradition).
Aside from his work as a puppeteer at Opera in Focus, Justin is a vespiarist who performs live wasp and hornet relocations throughout the Chicagoland area. He is also a composer and musician. His brother Shayne, a gifted sculptor and musician, sculpts, casts, and assembles new components for Opera in Focus puppets, in addition to being one of our Principal Puppeteers and set designers. Shayne’s daughter, Shay Snyder, is the latest generation of the Snyder family studying the craft of Chicago-style Rod Puppet Opera as one of our youngest apprentice puppeteers.
Barry Southerland, a childhood friend of the Snyder brothers, joined the Opera in Focus troupe in 2005 (the last apprentice puppeteer trained by the old Kungsholm Masters, Bill Fosser & Paul Guerra). Barry’s unique artistry, creativity, and technical prowess quickly made him an integral part of the Opera in Focus crew.
Leilani Barzyk joined the OPERA IN FOCUS crew in 2008 immediately possessing a remarkable, rare natural aptitude as a puppeteer. Upon completing her apprenticeship at the Puppet Opera, she was promoted to Stage Manager and Principal Puppeteer. Leilani is also responsible for many of the beautiful costumes used in our newer productions. Philomena Barzyk and Cyprian Barzyk, two of Leilani’s talented children, have also been studying the craft of Puppet Opera backstage.
Beverly Snyder (1954 – 2025), joined OPERA IN FOCUS as an apprentice puppeteer and backstage technician and instantly became a beloved member of our troupe who patrons loved chatting with backstage. Beverly was the mother of the Snyder brothers and was a very close friend of Bill Fosser, Paul Guerra, and Will Harder.
Our newest puppeteers– Faith Seal and Genevieve Charet–have been training under the Snyder brothers and Leilani Barzyk in every aspect of Puppet Opera production.
Opera in Focus is continually looking for new prospective apprentices interested in learning this unique art-form. By training the next generation of talented puppeteers, we are continuing the tradition that was passed on to us and assuring the continuance of the Chicago Puppet Opera lineage which began nearly 100 years ago.
OPERA IN FOCUS TROUPE:
(LEGACY PERFORMERS):
William B. Fosser (1928-2006):Creator, Master Puppeteer,
Artistic Director (1958-2006) , Set Designer, Master Puppet Craftsman
Paul Guerra (1944-2007):Master Puppeteer, Costume Designer,
Stage Director, Co-Producer
William (Will) E. Harder (1930-2014): Principal Puppeteer
Conductor of Maestro Tosci,Projected Effects & Graphics,Creative Consultant
Tony Mockus (1958-2014): Narrator
Beverly Snyder (1954-2025): Puppeteer, Backstage Technician, Backstage “Mom”
(CURRENT PERFORMERS):
Justin Snyder: Master Puppeteer, Artistic Director, Conductor of Maestro Tosci, Set Designer, Lighting Technician
Shayne Snyder: Master Puppeteer, Sculptor, Set Designer, Propmaster, Projected FX & Graphics, Lighting Technician
Leilani Barzyk: Master Puppeteer, Stage Manager, Costume Designer
Faith Seal: Puppeteer, Backstage Technician
Genevieve Charet: Apprentice Puppeteer, Backstage Technician
Shay Snyder: Apprentice Puppeteer, Fog/FX, Floral Handler
Philomena Barzyk: Apprentice Puppeteer, Fog/FX,
Cyprian Barzyk: Apprentice Puppeteer, Fog/FX
Anthony Satoh: Costume Designer, Prop Designer
Dan P. Anderson: Sound Design
Reservationist: Yessica Alonso
Lighting Consultation & Repairs: Grandstage Lighting
Curtain Motor/Drapery Technician: Iggy H (Alegre Interiors)
Auxiliary Consultant: Dave Kaufman
RETIRED PERFORMERS/ARTISTS:
Special recognition for the talented puppeteers who are no longer able to perform at the Puppet Opera but who helped us entertain many thousands of guests from all over the world over the past seven decades:
Judy Thomson (1951-2020): Puppeteer, Costume Designer
Leo Rizzetto (1931-2021): Apprentice Puppeteer, Backstage Technician
Mark Boudreau: Puppeteer, Backstage Technician
Dave Kaufman: Apprentice Puppeteer, Webmaster
Barry Southerland: Puppeteer, Backstage Technician
Kristian Hickman: Guest Puppeteer
Cat Bernier: Costume Designer
Ajooni Sethi: Apprentice Puppeteer, Costume/Fabric Designer
Connor Asher: Apprentice Puppeteer, Backstage Technician
