The Making of bird call

A quick overview of the creation and history of Bird Call

In 2002, Calvin Lester created Bird Call after being inspired by the quirky decorations in his grandmother’s kitchen. On a rainy afternoon, Calvin and his brother, Cory, passed the time by sketching birds based on household items—an owl-shaped saucer became a sharp-suited know-it-all owl, and a chicken-themed cookie jar transformed into a cigar-smoking radio boss. With each new drawing, their feathered world expanded, eventually forming the foundation of Bird Call: a lively community of birds running their own underground radio station from inside a retrofitted birdhouse.

What started as a fun childhood project was set aside as Calvin pursued other creative ventures, including his original puppet character Flobby Red and a professional career in entertainment. But in 2005, during a flight home, Calvin rediscovered the original Bird Call sketches in an old notebook. That unexpected moment reignited his passion, and with his growing expertise in puppetry and storytelling, he reimagined Bird Call with a more refined vision.

Since then, Bird Call has taken flight, evolving into a multimedia production spanning live performances, charity events, online content, and an original stage musical. In 2007, the concept was pitched to NBC as a weekly television series, but as an impending writer’s strike loomed, Calvin swiftly reclaimed the rights, ensuring his vision remained intact. Determined to bring Bird Call to life independently, he set out to grow the project on his own terms.

Bird Call pitch reel 2007

By 2008, Bird Call was captivating live audiences, appearing at the Ibex Orlando Puppet Festival, literacy-driven educational tours (Adventures in Reading), and major charity events, including hurricane relief concerts, pet shelter fundraisers, and performances for children at Florida Hospital’s Walt Disney Pavilion. The characters even took center stage in their own Halloween and Christmas productions at Give Kids the World.

The biggest milestone yet has been Bird Call the Musical, a full-scale two-act production performed in Florida theaters from 2014 to 2019. Alongside its theatrical success, Bird Call continues to thrive online, reaching new audiences through YouTube, social media, the Bird Call: On the Air Podcast Series, and an Original Cast Album available on music streaming platforms. Calvin continues to expand Bird Call’s reach, blending his creative vision with industry expertise to bring a fresh and dynamic voice to the world of puppetry and entertainment.

Currently based in Florida, Calvin and his dedicated cast and crew are focused on expanding Bird Call’s reach even further—developing new online content and pursuing the ultimate goal: bringing this colorful, comedic flock to television as an episodic series. With its unique blend of puppetry, humor, and heartfelt storytelling, Bird Call is ready to take flight like never before.

MEET THE PERFORMERS

who bring the vibrant world of Bird Call to life

Calvin Lester – Creator, Performer, Director

Calvin Lester is the creator behind Bird Call, bringing to life Luckl-Duckl Bird and Bingo Flamingo. With years of experience as a professional puppeteer, Calvin has worked with some of the most renowned names in entertainment, including The Muppets and Disney.

Beyond performing, Calvin has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of puppeteers, training artists for world-class productions with Disney Cruise Lines, Disney Parks, SeaWorld, and more. His expertise extends to television and film, contributing to projects such as “The Muppets present Great Moments in History”, “Jane Henson’s Nativity Story,” “Woof Chat News,” “9 Years to Neptune,” and “Blippi’s Treehouse”.

Calvin Lester
Creator, Performer, Writer

Tyler Campbell - Performer 

Tyler Campbell brings Speck, Poe Raven, and Murray Feathertwig to life in Bird Call. A puppeteer since the age of 13, Tyler began performing with his church puppet group in Illinois and went on to study theater in college. Since 2015, he has been a puppeteer at Walt Disney World, working in iconic shows such as “Festival of the Lion King”, “Voyage of the Little Mermaid”, and “The Muppets Present Great Moments in History”. Tyler joined Bird Call the Musical as a puppeteer assist in 2016 and has been a beloved member of the cast ever since.

Tyler Campbell
Performer, Creative Team

Scott Huhn – Performer, Puppet Designer, and Creative Specialist

Scott Huhn is a multi-talented puppeteer and designer, bringing Fowl Owl and Clifford Magpie to life in Bird Call. In addition to performing, he plays a key role in puppet design and construction, crafting intricate characters for the series. His expertise extends beyond Bird Call, collaborating on puppet-building projects with veteran Muppeteer John Kennedy (Sesame Street), further refining his craftsmanship in the art of puppetry.

As a seasoned performer, Scott has appeared in “Sesame Street’s 4D Movie Magic” and “Woof Chat News.” He is also a Puppet Specialist for Walt Disney World.

Beyond puppetry, Scott is a key creative team member with Orlando’s Modern Theatricals, helping bring imaginative stage productions like “Dragons & Fairies” and “Lost Boy” to life. With a passion for storytelling, character creation, and immersive world-building, Scott continues to push the boundaries of puppetry, performance, and theatrical design.

Scott Huhn
Performer, Puppet Builder

Shane McNeal - Performer, Puppet Builder, Artist 

Shane McNeal brings Kesmoe, Koo Foo, and Ruffleton to life in Bird Call. A graduate of the prestigious Puppet Arts Program at the University of Connecticut, Shane has spent years perfecting his craft and creating original works for young audiences. His notable works include Boston Pops in Puppets Take the Pops! and a Sesame Workshop puppetry workshop in 2017. Shane is a regular puppeteer at Walt Disney World Parks and shares his creative work on TikTok with original characters like Victor, Pippi, and friends.

Shane McNeal
Performer, Artist 

Kelsey Brady - Performer, Creative Director 

Kelsey Brady is the dynamic performer behind Francise, Ki Ki Kookaburra, and Grizzle, and serves as the producer and creative director for Bird Call. Kelsey’s puppetry journey began at the Disney Parks with The Muppets Present Great Moments in History and Voyage of the Little Mermaid, before expanding her skills at Universal Studios in The Secret Life of Pets for Universal’s Superstar Parade. Her recent projects include voicing Scratch in Blippi’s Treehouse (Amazon Kids+) and Crow T. Robot in Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 13 and the 2021-2022 national tour. Kelsey is also a social media sensation, with over a million followers on TikTok (@OneBradyLady), where she showcases her original puppets, Stan, Biscuit, and Fig.

Kelsey Brady
Performer, Creative Team

Josh Ball - Performer, Choreographer

Josh Ball performs Dillon Quailstein and Fulton MaCaw. Josh is also a choreographer for Bird Call the Musical and has had the pleasure of being the central puppet assist and other featured characters throughout the Bird Call series. Other credits include: Tin Man in “The Wizard of Oz” tour along with various shows across the Walt Disney World property: Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltaular, Disney Junior Live on Stage, “The Muppets present Great Moments in History”, and “Festival of the Lion King”.

Josh Ball
Performer, Choreographer

Luke Gerdes - Performer, Director 

Luke Gerdes performs Mr. Sampy Chicker and Pinky the Worm in Bird Call and has been with the production since 2010, first as an ensemble puppeteer and later as the featured performer of Mr. Chicker. Luke also directed the inaugural production of Bird Call the Musical in 2014. With a deep background in theater, Luke has performed in over 20 stage productions, including Our Town, Waiting For Godot, and The Glass Menagerie, earning recognition with a KCACTF Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Award nomination. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Eastern Illinois University, Luke joined Walt Disney World Resort, where he’s performed in numerous shows, parades, and television appearances, amassing over 15 years of experience with the company.

Luke Gerdes
Performer, Director, Writer

Chris Faulkenberry - Performer, Puppet Builder 

Chris Faulkenberry performs the devious Buzzard Beak and has been a part of Bird Call since 2012. Initially joining as a puppet builder, he became a performer in 2016. His puppetry career began at the age of 13, volunteering with the Glenn Haven Baptist Church puppet team in Decatur, Georgia. Chris honed his craft further while studying at the University of Georgia, where he became Assistant Puppet Director at First Baptist Church of Winder. A seasoned performer, he has worked with Disney since 2006, contributing to iconic shows like Disney Junior Live on Stage and The Muppets Present Great Moments in American History. Chris also performs seasonally at Universal Studios Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights and delights his TikTok followers with characters like Waffles & Gerald the Rat.

Chris Faulkenberry
Performer, Puppet Builder 

CREDITS

Series Created & Written by Calvin Lester

Creative Team
Calvin Lester, Tyler Bunch, Kelsey Brady, Shane McNeal, Tyler Campbell, Cameron Matthews, Hannah Matthews, Nick Peugh, Jason Rush, Jason Stanley, Rob Roberts

Composers/Musicians
Glenn Longacre, John R. Mason III, Mike Thomas, Brian Ames, Jordan Gatenby, David Hubbell, Calvin Lester

Puppet Workshop
Scott Huhn, Matt Turner, Chris Faulkenberry, Billy Horne, Scotty Shoemaker, Ty Menard, Jason Stanley, Tony Ley, Kelsey Brady

Puppet Costuming
Liz Sorenson, Lynn Nelson, Kelsey Brady

Technial Crew
Ryan Kirsch, Frank Filipo, Claire Mondragon, Brian Ramondetta, Brayshawna Bates, Luke Gerdes, Danielle Stoddard, Joey Reynolds, Carolyn Pastor, Zach Middaugh, Adam Bintz, Jeremy Stamps, Emily Phipps

Photography
Dean Ray, Jonathan Rodriguez, Rob Campbell, Emily Phipps

Videography
James Neihouse, Claire Mondragon, James Donmoyer, Nate Begle, Nick Peugh

Set Design
Calvin Lester, Kelsey Brady

Set Construction
Vincent Siracusano, Tyler Campbell, Michael Feldmann

Contributing Artists
Ernie Hernandez, Allison Cain, Christopher Faulkenberry, Christopher Heady, Taylor Brady, Vincent Siracusano, Scotty Shoemaker, Ashley Taylor, Angie Gates, Shane McNeal

Bird Call LOGO
Artist: Shane McNeal

Bird Call the Musical LOGO
Artist: Vincent Siracusano
Logo Developed by Calvin Lester & Luke Gerdes