Meet Daisy Hernandez: A 3rd Generation Bob Baker Spotlight Operator!

Daisy Hernandez looking down from the spotlight booth.

I remember my cousins and I playing handball on this giant white building at the end of the parking lot not knowing what was behind those walls. I always remembered this man (Bob Baker) giving us ice cream from the side door of the building when he saw us playing there. I was around the age of 10 when I saw my first show there and I was fascinated by the lights, the music, the puppets, and of course the ice cream.

Circa 1992. Puppeteer Cesar and Daisy’s Aunt.

Circa 1992. Puppeteer Cesar and “Cook” marionette.

My name is Daisy Hernandez, I've lived across the street from the Bob Baker Marionette Theater my whole life and I am a third generation spotlight operator. My aunt used to do spot back in 1992, but she never really talked about her time at the Theater so I guess she kind of just forget it was there until my cousins and I started asking about what we thought was inside that building so she took us to see a show and the rest was history.

Daisy puppeteering Percy, one of the Birthday Dogs.

In 2013 my sister started working at the theater as the secretary, answering phone calls or booking roadshows but later worked her way up to spotlight. After some time she wasn't able to do weekend shows because of her conflicting hours with her other job so she trained me to cover for her and i've been doing spot ever since but little by little I've worked my way backstage helping out with lights or drops or handouts and on occasion a puppet or two. Getting to be a part of the Bob Baker family means so much to me, because not only is it a part of my childhood but getting to see the joyful smiles on the children's faces when a puppet sits on their lap or getting excited when the emcee announces they’re getting ice cream after the show is over is just priceless and something you'll only get to experience at a Bob Baker Marionette show. After five years of being in that crows nest or behind that big red curtain I know one thing is for sure, where ever the puppets go I’m sure to follow.

Daisy operating the spotlight!