Ursula Marcum's portfolio

"Submerged! In the Company of Fish" - Designer, Fabricator, Puppeteer, Core Team Member, Co-Producer

Submerged! transported audiences into the hidden worlds beneath the water’s surface as part of the Voyages series at the National Aquarium. Through puppetry and movement, Submersive Productions transformed the Aquarium into an immersive theatrical celebration of animal perception, encouraging guests to experience humanity in relationship with other species rather than in dominion over them. Collaborating with the Johnsen Lab of Sensory Biology at Duke University, led by Dr. Sönke Johnsen, the company drew on scientific insights into how animals perceive the world to inspire a lively “underwater” puppet festival. Audiences encountered large- and small-scale marine life puppets made from upcycled materials, a movement ensemble, shadow puppetry, a crocheted coral reef, and interactive puppet experiences. After exploring the Aquarium’s exhibits, guests concluded the evening alongside fellow voyagers at an after-party featuring a live performance by Astronaut Symphony from Afro House, an Afrofuturist symphonic performance art group.

This highly collaborative work was developed with a large ensemble cast and a Core Creative Team of eight members. Submerged! In the Company of Fish was produced by Submersive Productions, where I serve as Co-Artistic Director.

Intial Devisers / Fabricators / Puppet Ensemble: Debbie Alaoma, Maddie Baynard, David Brasington, Dessie Delaplaine, Josh Hne, Ursula Marcum, Jacob Marrero, Mika Nakano, Chris Reuther, Jess Rassp, Oli B Turner

Initial Devisers / Movement Ensemble: Michael Duffy, Vicky Graham, Kim Le, Mika Nakano, Christian Price-Burnett, Lindsay Sanders, Annabelle Sharp, Nigel Semaj (Ensemble Leader), Gwyneth Watson

Additional Puppeteers / Movers: Abby Cady, Andrea Clayville, Jem Creutzer, Marissa Dahl, Hannah Fenster, Gwen Grastorf, Katie Hileman, Connor Kertiss, Jess Rivera, Martha Robichaud, Sarah Olmsted Thomas, Alex Vernon, Natanya Sheva Washer, Caitlin Weaver, Rachel Wilson, Jakey Zabawa

Core Creative Team: Vicky Graham, Betse Lyons, Ursula Marcum, Jacob Marrero, Mika Nakano, Kiirstn Pagan, Glenn Ricci, Susan Stroupe

Production Managers: Betse Lyons, Kiirstn Pagan

Production Assistants: Griffin DeLisle, Mara Falbo-Wild

Workshop Leaders: Alex & Olmsted, Tara Cariaso, Michele Minnick

Lighting Design: Helen Garcia-Alton

Sound and Music Design: Glenn Ricci, Jason Almanza

Costume Coordinators: Deana Fisher Brill, Stephanie Parks

Additional Fabrication: Kris Green, Krista Rieckert

Early Concept Development: Megan Livingston, Lisi Stoessel

Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - Performer Ursula Marcum waves to fish in their habitat in the National Aquarium, 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)
Submerged! In the Company of Fish (video by Kiirstn Pagan)

Created by photographer and videographer Kiirstn Pagan this video was shown as a part of Voyages: Chapter 7 at the National Aquarium in July of 2025.
Inspired by months of research with Aquarium scientists and expertise provided by The Johnsen Lab of Sensory Biology at Duke University, Submersive Productions created Submerged! In the Company of Fish, an “underwater” puppet festival, featuring masks, large-scale marine life puppets, a crocheted coral reef, water dancers, and stories of the ocean told through shadow puppetry.
This video shows a portion of the Johnsen Lab interview and behind-the-scenes footage from the Submersive rehearsal room.
Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - Performers Ursula Marcum (wearing a Pumpkinseed fish mask) and Katie Hileman (holding a Sunfish puppet), greet the audience, 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)
Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - Performers Katie Hileman (holding a Sunfish puppet) and Ursula Marcum (wearing a Pumpkinseed fish mask) greet the audience in the National Aquarium, 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)
Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - Puppeteer Ursula Marcum lowers a flying fish puppet down over the balcony to interact with performer Alex Vernon below, 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)
Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - An audience member interacts with a small, silver Flying Fish puppet, puppeteered by Ursula Marcum, 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)
Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - Audience members interact with the inhabitants of a puppet touch tank, with puppeteer Abby Cady, 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)
Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - An audience member interacts with creature (puppeteered by Gwen Grastorf) who resides in the puppet touch tank, 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)
Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - An audience member observes the Purple Jellyfish puppet (puppeteered by Martha Robichaud), 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)
Submerged! In the Company of Fish

Submerged! - Dancers (Christian Price-Burnett, Michael Duffy, Gwyneth Watson, Nigel Semaj, Lindsay Sanders), Performers (Alex Vernon, Marissa Dahl), and Puppeteers (Jess Rivera, Martha Robichaud, Katie Hileman) move together during the culminating moment of the show, 2025 (photo courtesy of National Aquarium)

"The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience" - Designer, Fabricator, Core Team Member, Crew Member, Co-Producer

“The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience,” explored themes of memory, grief, loss and the rituals surrounding death. In this devised, immersive experience, the audience was invited to craft a custom afterlife experience as they navigated a “showroom” of choices, created by a (possibly) disingenuous and inept tech startup called "Boundry." This in turn led to an individual journey that culminated in investigating what makes life worth living. The show ran in a private warehouse in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore from September 1 through November 5, 2023.

Crew: Alice - Andrea Clayville, Russ - Mara Falbo Wild, Gus - Griffin DeLisle, Guus - Ursula Marcum, DJ Jüs - Glenn Ricci

Costumes: Deana Fisher Brill

Sound: Megan Livingston, Glenn Ricci

Lighting: Glenn Ricci

Fabricators: Josh Aterovis, Aaron Barlow, Deana Fisher Brill, August Bryant, Marissa Dahl, Jessie Delaplaine, Kim Le, Ursula Marcum, Jacob Marrero, Mika J Nakano, Chris Reuther

Core Creative Team: Josh Aterovis, Kim Le, Megan Livingston, Ursula Marcum, Glenn Ricci

The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - Entry into the showroom of the strange company, "boundry," 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - Detail from the office set for "boundry," 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - The hallway of the "boundry" showroom of possible afterlives, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - The "Happy Place" afterlife showroom, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - The "Project Silica" afterlife showroom, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - The memory recording device in the "Project Silica" afterlife showroom, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - The "Audiostalgia" afterlife showroom, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - Performers Dessie Delaplaine and Marissa Dahl portray characters trapped in the "Mirrorless Mirror Room" which was the boundary between life and death, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - The "Bar Do," the final stop before returning to life, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Boundary: A Life and Death Experience

Boundary - Detail from the "Bar Do," the final stop before returning to life, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)

"Katalepsis" - Designer, Fabricator, Performer, Co-Producer

“Katalepsis” was an adventure that transported audiences to the far future, in a post-apocalyptic era brought on by intersecting crises. The show explored themes of isolation and the resilience found in creative acts. This original work was devised by the ensemble, Audience members were invited to explore how humans can thrive and connect in a future in which they are physically separated and no longer the dominant species on earth.

This work was very much a collaborative effort. There were four Creator characters, and different designers were assigned to each Creator space - I was the designer for the room of the Timekeeper, and one of the Prop Masters and Fabricators for the show. I also performed as a Benefactor - a large, slow-moving, sentient mushroom being. "Katalepsis" was produced by Submersive Productions, where I serve as Co-Artistic Director.

This sold out production was extended twice and ran from March 23 - May 13, 2023, in the basement of The Peale Center in Baltimore.

Cast: Francisco Benavides, Hannah Fenster, Joshua Hne, Megan Livingston, Ursula Marcum, Bao Nguyen, Jess Rassp, Jess Rassp, Trustina Sabah, Lisi Stoessel

Core Creative Team: Mika Nakano, Trustina Sabah, Susan Stroupe, Glenn Ricci

Contributing Artists: Helen Garcia-Alton (lights), Deana Brill (costumes)

Production Manager: Tessara Morgan

Show Runners: Griffin DeLisle, Debra Lenik, Mara Falbo-Wild

Technical Director: Tyler Brust

Workshop Leader: Tara Cariaso

Intern: Chloe Azcuy

Front of House: Josh Aterovis, Andrea Clayville, Mika Nakano, Susan Stroupe

Katalepsis

Katalepsis - Performer Hannah Fenster as Timekeeper, interacting with her life's work, 2023. Scenic / Prop design by Ursula Marcum. (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Katalepsis

Katalepsis - Performer Hannah Fenster as Timekeeper, interacting with her stitched calendar, 2023. Scenic / Prop design by Ursula Marcum. (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Katalepsis

Katalepsis - Performer Hannah Fenster as Timekeeper, ducking into her private space below her desk, 2023. Scenic / Prop design by Ursula Marcum. (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Katalepsis

Katalepsis - Detail from the living quarters of the Timekeeper, a visual reminder of daily tasks, 2023. Scenic / Prop design by Ursula Marcum. (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Katalepsis

Katalepsis - Performers Ursula Marcum and Josh Hne as the Benefactors use the Giant Claw to begin a ritual, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Katalepsis

Katalepsis - Performers Ursula Marcum and Jessica Rassp as the Benefactors deliver gifts, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Katalepsis

Katalepsis - Performers Ursula Marcum and Josh Hne as the Benefactors interact with performer Bao Nguyen as Siren, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Katalepsis

Katalepsis - Performer Trustina Sabah as Madame heads into the toxic world of the Benefactors, 2023 (photo by Glenn Ricci)

"See Also" - Designer, Puppeteer, Fabricator, Co-Producer

"See Also" was a devised, site-specific, immersive experience that was run as a part of the "In the Stacks" series held at the George Peabody Library, in Baltimore, in Februrary of 2020. Following threads (both figurative and literal) around the Peabody Library in a choose-your-own-adventure style, participants encountered visual art, soundscapes, and performers portraying character composites based on historical women and non-binary individuals from the collections of the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries and University Museums. The performance culminated in the world premiere of a work by contemporary female composer Briay Conditt.

This highly collaborative work was developed with a large ensemble cast and a Core Creative Team of ten members, of which I was a part. I also participated as a puppet and prop fabricator, puppeteer and designer. "See Also" was produced by Submersive Productions, where I serve as Co-Artistic Director.
Core Creative Team: Josh Aterovis, David Brasington, Kim Le, Bella Lucero, Ursula Marcum, Mika Nakano, Jess Rassp, Trustina Sabah, Glenn Ricci, Dani Turner
Ensemble: Josh Aterovis, David Brasington, Zipporah Brown, Tara Cariaso, Marissa Dahl, Jessie Delaplaine, Hannah Fenster, Emily Hall, Betse Lyons, Ursula Marcum, Mika Nakano, Jess Rassp, Trustina Sabah, Lisi Stoessel, Susan Stroupe, Dani Turner, Elizabeth Ung, Katharine Vary, Kaya Vision, Natanya Washer, Caitlin Weaver, Jacob Zabawa
Costumes: Deana Fisher Brill
Lighting: Michael Logue, Mara Falbo-Wild
Sound: Glenn Ricci, C. Swann-Streepy

See Also

See Also - performer Ursula Marcum with an audience member at the card catalog, 2020 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
See Also

See Also - performers Hannah Fenster, Jess Rassp (both kneeling), Betse Lyons, Mika Nakano, Jessie Delaplaine and Natanya Washer (all standing), 2020 (Photos by Kintz)
See Also

See Also - performers Josh Aterovis, Lisi Stoessel, Zipporah Brown and Katharine Vary and audience members, 2020 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
See Also

See Also - performers Trustina Sabah, Susan Stroupe, David Brasington and Kaya Vision and audience members, 2020 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
See Also

See Also - performer David Brasington at the card catalog, 2020 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
See Also

See Also - performers intermingle with the audience, 2020 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
See Also

See Also - performers Jess Rassp and Emily Hall embrace during the culmination of the show, surrounded by other performers and audience members, 2020 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
See Also

See Also - cast members Susan Stroupe, Kaya Vision, Betse Lyons, Hannah Fenster, Mika Nakano, Jess Rassp, Jessie Delaplaine and Natanya Washer gaze upward, 2020 (Photos by Kintz)
See Also

See Also - performers and audience members participate in the culminating moment of the show, 2020 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
See Also

See Also - performers David Brasington and Ursula Marcum rewind the connecting threads back into their archive boxes at the close of the show, 2020 (Photos by Kintz)

"MASS/RABBLE" - Performer, Mask Fabricator, Co-Producer

MASS/RABBLE, was an experimental, movement-based performance presented on April 4-7 and 12-14, 2019 at the Baltimore War Memorial, as the culmination of a two week residency through the War Memorial Arts Initiative. Devised with an ensemble of 28 performers of different ages, ethnicities, and gender identities, this piece, conceived by Lisi Stoessel and led by Stoessel and Yuko Kaseki, used elements of Butoh dance, mask, embodied sound and immersive audience techniques to explore themes of overpopulation and how masses of bodies are affected by politics, displacement, and violence in our current era.

I was one of the Core Ensemble Members for this piece, as well as a Mask Fabricator. MASS/RABBLE was produced by Submersive Productions, where I serve as Co-Artistic Director.

Ensemble Members: Samantha Ankrom-Chickering, Francisco Benavides, Caitlin Bouxsein, David Brasington, Tina Canady, Tara Cariaso, Jessie Delaplaine, Nadya Elson, Hannah Fenster, Gabriela Fernandez-Coffey, E’Tona Ford, Rae Anna Hample, Bryan Hargraves, Katie Hileman, Max Huck, Tavia LaFollette, Kim Le, Mika Nakano, Marissa O’Guinn, Jessica Rassp, Trustina Sabah, Alexander Scally, Susan Stroupe, Kaya Vision, Natanya Washer, Caitlin Weaver, Matthew Williams and Jacob Zabawa
Costume Design: Deana Fisher Brill
Lighting Design: Helen Garcia-Alton
Sound Design: Glenn Ricci

MASS/RABBLE

MASS/RABBLE - Corridors of Light, 2019 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
MASS/RABBLE

MASS/RABBLE - Animals, 2019 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
MASS/RABBLE

MASS/RABBLE - Floor, 2019 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
MASS/RABBLE

MASS/RABBLE - Breaking Through, 2019 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
MASS/RABBLE

MASS/RABBLE - Response, 2019 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
MASS/RABBLE

MASS/RABBLE - Tsunami, 2019 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
MASS/RABBLE

MASS/RABBLE - Masks, 2019 (photo by Glenn Ricci)

"The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now" - Designer, Fabricator, Co-Producer, Wall Operator

Designed with small audiences in mind, The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now was produced by Submersive Productions and took place in a one-room installation that was introduced as a "thin place," a place where one can more easily transcend our present reality and contact other planes, places, and times. Audience members were inducted as researchers, then led to the room to conduct an experiment where they inhabited the world with the performers. In addition to the performance, the room was activated using light, projections, sound and object theater. Six original "Episodes" were devised with eight different performers for this run throughout the fall of 2018 in The Peale Center in downtown Baltimore. Each Episode took place in the same installation, which was modified for each show. In collaboration with the Creative Core Team of Josh Aterovis, Glenn Ricci and Susan Stroupe, I designed the room and served as Prop Master and Wall Operator for each of the Episodes.

Costumes: Kristina Green
Lighting , Projections and Sound: Glenn Ricci
Devisers/Cast:
Tina Canady, Rachel Wilson - "Episode 1" (Episode 1)
Mika Nakano - "Project P.S." (Episode 2)
Kim Le - "Altar Ego" (Episode 3)
Cori Dioquino - "Waters of Oblivion" (Episode 4)
Elizabeth Ung - "She Who Sees and Hears the Cries of the World" (Episode 5)
Francisco Benevides, Lisi Stoessel - "A Horse by the Tail in the Night" (Episode 6)

In 2019, we presented revised versions of Episode 2 by Mika Nakano and Episode 3 by Kim Le.

The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now

The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now, 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Episode 1, The Institute of Visionary History

Episode 1 of the Institute of Visionary History, with performer Tina Canady, 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Episode 2, The Institute of Visionary History

Episode 2, "Project P.S." The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now, with performer Mika Nakano and audience members, 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Episode 3, The Institute of Visionary History

Episode 3, "Altar Ego," The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now, with performer Kim Le and audience members, 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Episode 4, The Institute of Visionary History

Episode 4, "Waters of Oblivion," The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now, with performer Cori Dioquino, 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Episode 4, The Institute of Visionary History

Installation/Set Dressing Detail, Episode 4, "Waters of Oblivion," The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now, 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Episode 5, The Institute of Visionary History

Episode 5, "She Who Sees and Hears the Cries of the World," The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now, with performer Elizabeth Ung, 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Episode 6, The Institute of Visionary History

Episode 6, "A Horse by the Tail in the Night," The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now, with performers Francisco Benavides and Lisi Stoessel, 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)

"BATS!" - Designer, Fabricator, Puppeteer, Co-Producer

Written and performed by artist Michele Minnick, "BATS!" was a mixed media, interactive contemplation on the nature of fear and madness. With a high level of audience engagement and participation, the story unfolded with the use of text and live accordion music by Minnick, projections and soundscapes by Glenn Ricci, original drawings by Chelsea Demitras and puppetry in the Marquee Lounge at The Creative Alliance in Baltimore in 2018. As a part of the Production Team, I served as Puppet Fabricator and Puppeteer, as well as Props Manager and Set Dresser. Puppeteers Caitlin Bouxsein and Jess Rassp were also members of the Production Team. The show was produced by Submersive Productions, where I serve as Co-Artistic Director.

Minor Depression (puppet)

Minor Depression, marionette in "BATS!" 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Genny (puppet)

Genny (short for Generalized Anxiety), rod puppet in "BATS!" 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Genny and the Audience

Genny, pictured with performer Michele Minnick and puppeteer Caitlin Bouxsein."BATS!" 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Audience at "BATS!"

Performer Michele Minnick engages with the audience. "BATS!" 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Audience at "BATS!"

Audience participates in one of the final moments of the show. "BATS!" 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Bar

Scenic Detail, "BATS!" 2018 (photo by Glenn Ricci)

"H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum" - Prop Master, Fabricator, Puppeteer, Set Dresser, Co-Producer

"H. T. Darling’s Incredible Musaeum: The Treasures of New Galapagos, Astonishing Acquisitions from the Perisphere" was a four story immersive adventure that activated The Peale Center in downtown Baltimore - the first purpose built museum in the United States - consisting of two full award-winning runs, one in the spring and one in the fall of 2017. The "Musaeum" was filled with a number of "specimens" from a distant planet, brought back by intrepid explorer H.T. Darling.

During the performance, multiple narratives were happening in the building simultaneously, and the audience was invited to inhabit the world with the performers and choose their own path. Over twenty performers and artists devised and collaborated to create this project. I fabricated several of the puppet specimens and was part of the team of puppeteers during both runs. I also served as the Props Master, Set Dresser and Co-Producer for the show. The show was produced by Submersive Productions, where I serve as Co-Artistic Director.

Creative Core Team: Glenn Ricci, Lisi Stoessel, Susan Stroupe
Devisers/Cast: Josh Aterovis, Caitlin Bouxsein, Francisco Benavides, David Brasington, E'Tona Ford, Emily Hall, Marie Claire Macadar, Brad Norris, Martha Robichaud, Trustina Sabah, Lisi Stoessel, Sarah Olmstead Thomas, Katharine Vary, Alex Vernon
Puppeteers: Francisco Benavides, David Brasington, Jessie Delaplaine, Kim Le, Ursula Marcum, Jess Rassp, Trustina Sabah, Lisi Stoessel, Alex Vernon
Set Design: Lisi Stoessel
Costume Design: Stephanie Parks
Lighting Design: James Johnson
Sound Design: Glenn Ricci

Bearsnake (puppet)

The Bearsnake, a hand puppet shown with performer Trustina Fafa Sabah. H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum, 2017 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Bearsnake (puppet)

The Bearsnake "living specimen" interacts with performer Trustina Fafa Sabah and audience members. H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum, 2017 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Cave Urchin (puppet)

The Cave Urchin hand puppet. H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum, 2017 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Toothy Creature (puppet)

The Toothy Creature hand puppet. H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum, 2017 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Fuzzy Slug (puppet)

The Fuzzy Slug rod puppet. H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum, 2017 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Moss Hedgehog (puppet)

The Moss Hedgehog hand puppet, shown with puppeteer Jessica Rassp and performer Alex Vernon. Made in collaboration with artist and performer Lisi Stoessel. H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum, 2017 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Grand Hall

The Grand Hall featured many "living specimens" and objects from the planet New Galapagos. Found on the second floor of H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum, 2017 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
The Net Room

The Net Room belonged to the character of Maxilla (played by Trustina Fafa Sabah, pictured here with audience).

"The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe" - Prop Master, Set Dresser, Co-Producer

"The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe" was an immersive theater experience based on the women in the life and fiction of Poe, staged in the Enoch Pratt House in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore. A collaborative, multi-disciplinary work that incorporated performance, soundscapes and art installation, thirty artists devised and created "a world both bizarre and beautiful" for two separate runs in the Spring and Fall of 2015. As Co-Producer, Prop Designer/Fabricator and Set Dresser, I created objects and installations to be encountered and discovered by audience members during their visit.

Cast/Devisers: Jessica Baker, Siobahn Beckett, Caitlin Bouxsein, David Brasington, Sarah Doccolo, Nick Genna, Shannon Graham, Tanner Medding, Jenna Rossman, Alexander Scally, Lisi Stoessel, Ann Turiano, Natanya Washer, Caitlin Weaver
Directors: Michele Minnick, Glenn Ricci, Susan Stroupe
Costume Design: Stephanie Parks
Ligting and Scenic Design: Kel Millione
Sound Design: Glenn Ricci

Hanging Letters

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015
Sarah Contemplates

Performers Shannon Graham and David Brasington inhabit the world of "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015 (photo by Glenn Ricci)
Violin

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015
Ring for Service

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015
Stereoscopic Evidence

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015
This It Is

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015
Eyes

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015
Decanter/Glasses Bound

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015
Brambles

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015
Bird Cages

Installation/Set Dressing element from "The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe," 2015

Puppetry - Story Creator, Fabricator, Puppeteer

Puppetry is essential to my practice, both as a collaborator in Submersive Productions and as an individual artist. The medium of puppetry is an interweaving of the visual and performing arts, and challenges my hands, brain and body as a puppet fabricator, a puppeteer, and a teller of stories. Most of all, puppets can be a conduit for delight and wonder, bringing a bit of magic into the everyday world.

The samples presented are from a variety of projects, both virtual and in-person.

Pop-Up Performance for the "Submersive Productions: A Decade of Mapping New Worlds" exhibition, 2025 (photo by Kiirstn Pagan)

Puppeteer Ursula Marcum operates the marionette puppet known as M.D. (Minor Depression) in a pop-up performance that was a part of the "Submersive Productions: A Decade of Mapping New Worlds" exhibition at Creative Alliance in Baltimore in 2025. This 10-year retrospective exhibition was the celebration of a decade of groundbreaking immersive works, and featured photographs, artifacts, costumes, puppets, a video installation and live performances during the run from November 7 - December 12, 2025.
Oysters

Winter Seeds, produced by Vital Matters - Puppeteer Ursula Marcum with oyster puppets, 2021. Puppets by Jess Rassp. (photo by Chris Ashworth)

Vital Matters is a Baltimore-based laboratory for change led by Michele Minnick. On December 11, 2021, in collaboration with Single Carrot Theatre and Submersive Productions, Vital Matters gathered theatre makers, artists, and community members from around Baltimore for "Winter Seeds," an evening of short play readings, entertainment and conversation related to climate change. This unique event, which took place at The Voxel, was a part of Climate Change Theatre Action.
"Genny"

Winter Seeds, produced by Vital Matters - puppeteering of "Genny" (short for Generalized Anxiety) by puppeteers Jess Rassp and Ursula Marcum, 2021. Puppet by Ursula Marcum. (photo by Chris Ashworth)

Vital Matters is a Baltimore-based laboratory for change led by Michele Minnick. On December 11, 2021, in collaboration with Single Carrot Theatre and Submersive Productions, Vital Matters gathered theatre makers, artists, and community members from around Baltimore for "Winter Seeds," an evening of short play readings, entertainment and conversation related to climate change. This unique event, which took place at The Voxel, was a part of Climate Change Theatre Action.
The World's Most Magical Substance [CLIP]

This is an excerpt from "The Legend of the World's Most Magical Substance," a shadow puppetry show re-telling of a wonderful discovery. It was a part of the National Capital Puppetry Guild Slam online in August of 2022.
The Legend of the World's Most Magical Substance [STILL]

A still from the shadow puppet show "The Legend of the World's Most Magical Substance"
The Return [CLIP]

This is an excerpt from “The Return,” a shadow puppet show that was inspired by the winter solstice, and explores themes of isolation and re-connection. “The Return” was a part of a virtual artistic celebration of the solstice in December of 2020, produced by Baltimore artists Michele Minnick and Juanita Rockwell.
The Return [STILL]
Bound Up Together

“Bound Up Together,” a toy theater puppet show about abolitionist and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, was originally performed via livestream for the virtual Women’s Suffrage Puppet Pageant, hosted by the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut, on September 26, 2020.
Bound Up Together [STILL]

A still from the toy theater / puppet show, "Bound Up Together," originally performed via livestream for the virtual Women’s Suffrage Puppet Pageant. Hosted by the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut in September of 2020.
Whiskey

"Whiskey" Ensemble Performance - Waves, 2019 (photo by Richard Termine)

As a participant at the O'Neill Puppetry Conference I was an Ensemble Member for two workshop performances. "Whiskey" was under the direction of Erin Chmela, who was also the concept originator and puppet fabricator for the piece. This production exemplified the complicated relationship of one man to his favorite intoxicant. Ensemble Members: Chris Caswell, Martin Kettling and Anthony Marotta.

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