Amazing Art - Dinosaur World Live (CTC - MN) Interview

CTC will be presenting Dinosaur World Live, the prehistoric journey that has dazzled theatregoers of all ages worldwide. Dinosaur World Live will run from March 3-April 5, 2026 

I had a chance to do an interview with Nat Speight, the Puppetry Captain for Dinosaur World Live.

What makes dinosaurs such a great topic for theater?

Honestly, I think it’s because dinosaurs are the closest thing we have to real life monsters. They have this massive wow factor that just fills a stage, but since they actually existed, there’s this sense of wonder that hits differently. Seeing a T-Rex appear on stage makes everyone in the audience feel like they’ve stepped into a time machine together.

What do you love about puppetry?

It’s a total team sport, especially with the larger puppets in the show, where we are all working together in so many different ways to bring these Dinosaurs to life. There’s something kind of magical about the audience knowing it's a puppet, but choosing to believe it’s real anyway. I never get tired of that.

What was the biggest challenge with bringing this show to life?

The sheer physicality of it! It’s a workout. You’re trying to channel the weight and power of a prehistoric animal while staying agile and mindful of your castmates. The real trick is making a heavy puppet look light and graceful, or making a small movement feel huge from the back row.

Nat Speight is an actor and puppeteer who trained at East 15 Acting School. Credits include: Pirates Love Underpants (Leicester Curve), In The Night Garden Live (U.K. tour), Milesians (Circolombia), Godiva Awakes (Imagineer), Odyssey, Here And Now (The Abbey Theatre), and Peace & Trackers (Creation Theatre).

Pamela Reith Photography

Dinosaur World Live

Written and Directed by Derek Bond

Puppet Design by Max Humphries

Puppet Direction by Laura Cubitt

Produced by Nicoll Entertainment

 

March 3-April 5, 2026

UnitedHealth Group Stage

Best for Everyone 3 and Up!

 

WHEN: March 3-April 5, 2026 (Opening Night is Friday, March 6, 2026 at 7pm).
 

WHERE: CTC’s UnitedHealth Group Stage (2400 Third Avenue South Minneapolis MN 55404).

 

AGE RECOMMENDATION: This production is best enjoyed by everyone 3 and up. Lap passes are available for children 3 years and younger.

 

RUNNING TIME: 50 minutes plus a 15-minute post-show meet and greet with the dinosaurs.

 

TICKETS: Starting at $25 and available at childrenstheatre.org/dinosaur by calling the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400.