Biography 

David Simpich is the son of Bob and Jan Simpich, designers of Simpich Characters Dolls of Colorado Springs.  During the 1960s and 70s, he watched his parents sculpt heads, paint eyes and sew tiny coats in the doll studio which, at that time, was located in the basement of their home. Although David was also interested in theatre at a young age, it took many years to realize that a sculpted figure might become an actor.  

In 1984, when he and his wife, Debby, were first married and living in the Seattle area, David saw a beautiful handmade marionette hanging in the window of a bookstore. He was inspired by its artistry and sensed for the first time the dramatic potential of a simple figure on strings.   He soon began creating marionettes of his own with help from some old library books.  A stage, props, backdrops and a scripted play for string puppets were painstakingly prepared, and he performed his first marionette play with Debby as co puppeteer in the living room of their home.  Performances in the Seattle area schools soon followed, and in 1986, the couple returned to Colorado Springs to open the Simpich Marionette Theatre as part of an expansion of the Simpich Character Doll business. 

For six years, he and Debby performed an increasing list of original shows in repertoire in the intimate 75 seat theatre. Also during this time, David  introduced two "solo" presentations as they started a family and Debby was not always able to perform. These new shows presented David as puppeteer and actor alongside the marionettes on stage, or in the shadows above them.  In 1992, the Simpiches closed  the theatre to begin a touring company that would feature David's solo plays and potentially reach a larger audience than was possible in the small theatre.  The family gradually began to tour regionally and nationally and for many years performed Christmas and seasonal presentations at the famous Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

Since 1984, David has designed and performed sixteen original marionette plays (with nearly 200 sculpted actors) and hopes to create many more. His "company," which now includes four home schooled children, continues to tour regularly and  he now presents public performances in Colorado Springs at the beautiful and historic Mount Saint Francis Auditorium.

Awards

Early Development Photos