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From UTEP to the World Stage – A Journey of Creativity, Innovation, and Puppetry Mastery 

March 2025
By Christian Diaz ’20  

Anthony Michael Stokes Photos

UTEP has a proud list of alumni, from NBA Hall of Famers to Olympic gold medalists, successful CEOs, and world-famous magicians. Now, UTEP can take pride in having a world-class puppeteer among its many accomplished alumni. Anthony Michael Stokes ’08, ’22 is an artistic powerhouse whose influence spans multiple disciplines, from music and theatre to education and puppetry. His journey from an ambitious student to an award-winning educator and nationally recognized puppeteer is a testament to his resilience, talent, and vision. 

Stokes began his journey at UTEP when he was recruited to be part of the Theatre Arts degree program. He made the most of his time as a student by being involved in as many aspects of the University as he could. He embodied school spirit, serving as Homecoming Prince, a feat that highlighted his popularity and influence on campus. He was also a member of the Go Team, a motivational performance initiative that took UTEP’s message to schools across the region, inspiring thousands of students, including those in alternative education programs. One of the initiative’s most remarkable performances was in front of 4,000 fourth graders at the Don Haskins Center, an experience Stokes remembers fondly. 

Stokes was able to display his talent to the community by participating in over 20 productions at the UTEP Dinner Theatre. His final year saw him make history as part of one of the University’s first all-Black casts in the production of Ain’t Misbehavin’. 

After graduating, Stokes committed himself to giving back to the community that nurtured him. He spent nearly a decade as an educator in El Paso, shaping young minds and earning the distinction of Teacher of the Year—twice. First, at Brown Middle School, he received the award after just his first year. Then, in 2020, he was honored again at Jefferson High School, his alma mater. His impact was recognized beyond the classroom as well, with EPISD selecting him as a finalist for District Teacher of the Year. 

Despite his success as an educator, Stokes’ creative spirit drove him toward pursuing one of his lifelong passions. Puppetry began as a childhood fascination with Jim Henson’s Muppets, Sesame Street, and Lamb Chop. He had even written to the Jim Henson Company asking for old puppets, receiving instead a book on making puppets from everyday materials—a gift that would forever shape his artistic journey. 

His dedication to puppetry led him to South Korea, where he worked as a teaching artist. There, an old blanket he found on the verge of being discarded became the first puppet in what would become The Cromer Chronicles. That experience sparked a deeper dive into puppetry, culminating in opportunities to train with the Sesame Street Puppeteer Workshop, where he was selected as one of only 25 artists nationwide. 

One of Stokes’ most ambitious and acclaimed projects is The Scarecrow, a theatrical puppetry production that has garnered national recognition. The show, which explores themes of identity and belonging, was developed over three years and has been supported by multiple prestigious grants, including those from the Jim Henson Foundation. The show had a successful run in El Paso, selling out the Plaza Theatre’s Philanthropy Theatre. 

His work has earned him one of the highest honors in the field: the Jim Henson Foundation Residency at the prestigious Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Connecticut. This distinction, granted to only eight people in history, solidified his place among the world’s most innovative puppeteers. Stokes also became the first African American artist to receive this honor. 

Currently, he is working as a resident artist at the Chicago Puppet Lab, part of the Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival, where he is developing Anansi and the Dispersal of Wisdom, a solo puppetry performance set to debut in June 2025 at the Chicago Public Library. 

Stokes’ story may already have many chapters, but in many ways, it is just the beginning. His talent, dedication, and innovative spirit have him well on his way to becoming UTEP’s next “legendary” alumnus. For those who wish to follow or support his work, updates on The Scarecrow and other projects can be found on social media, including his Instagram page @kesstokreatures.