Celebrating our 5th Decade!
Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children's Theater (winner of the 2003 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award) was founded in 1980 and now embarks on 46 years of bringing quality performances and educational workshops to audiences throughout the world. Grumbling Gryphons is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Artistic Director - Leslie Elias, CT Arts Hero
We wish you all a very happy, healthy new year filled with
creativity and inspiration!
To find out more about our 2026 theater camps and ongoing workshops and performances, please contact grumblinggryphons@gmail.com or call us at 860-672-0286 for bookings & schedule.
Enjoy browsing our website!
Summer Touring Schedule 2026!
Sunday, May 24th
Bronx Botanical Gardens, (time to be announced)Featured Family Event for opening exhibit “Flower Power”
Anansi-The Trickster Spider: A West African Folktale
Thursday, July 9th - 1:30 pm
The Ghost Net: An Environmental Musical of the seaAmerican Mural Project in Winsted, CT
(sign up for theater camp for children ages 7-up to be in the show!)
Friday, July 31st - Theater Camp 2026 Public Performance, 5:30 pm
At Grumbling Gryphons Headquarters, 29 Lake Rd West Cornwall, CT 06796Rain Location - Housatonic Valley Regional Highschool in Falls Village, CT
Sign up for Theater Camp (Monday - Friday, July 27th - July 31st)
Friday, August 7th at 11:00 am
“Family Friday” at The Berkshire Botanical Gardens, Stockbridge, MAThe Myth of Persephone: How the Seasons Came to Be
Saturday, August 8th at 11:00 am
Stissing Center for Arts & Culture Summer Family Events!10 am pre-performance workshop for kids 6 and up to be in the show!
2950 W Church St, Pine Plains, NY 12567
The Myth of Persephone: How the Seasons Came to Be
Saturday, August 15th - (time to be arranged)
Black Bear Music Festival, Harwinton Fairgrounds, Harwinton, CTAnansi - The Trickster Spider
2026 Summer Theater Camps
Rumsey Hall School and The American Mural Project will host theater camps this summer!
Curtain Up! Musical Theater at The American Mural Project
Monday, July 6th - Thursday, July 9th | 9 - 3 pm
Theater Arts Camp
Monday, July 27th - Friday, July 31st | 9:30 - 3:30 pm
More Summer Theater Camp sessions to be announced soon!
Recent Testimonial!
Martine Bouton, Proud Mom, February 2026
Grumbling Gryphons with Leslie Elias changed my son's life forever. They came to our Public Library and presented a wonderful play. Leslie invited the children that came to see the play to be in it, with costumes and masks to wear and they had a great time being part of the play! We talked afterward and my three year old son, soon was in his first play with the Grumbling Gryphons, The Owl and the Pussycat.
That was the beginning of a love for acting and theater. My son attended Grumbling Gryphons Children's Theater Summer Camp every year. He eventually became a counselor for the summer theater camp well into his twenties, plus acting in local and school plays.All his experience with acting gave him confidence, grace, and a love for community theaters. As a high school teacher he is involved in their plays as Assistant Production Manager and loves working with the students.
I thank Leslie Elias for her encouragement, sharing her talent and creativity with all the wonderful plays that teach children great stories. The children being included in plays may spark more confident and talented people in our society.
Grumbling Gryphons Celebrates 45 Years!
"The 45th Gala evening was a wonderful showcase of a huge range of the best parts of what the Gryphons do. There were tears (her mother’s video), wows (a giraffe on a unicycle!), and of course laughter throughout. And the children from camp were right there to see, hear, and be a part of it all. What a wonderful experience!
- Anna Sobel, Talking Hands Theatre, Parent & Performer
Read the full testimonial on our Reviews page.
Photos of the 45th gala performance, courtesy of Penny Lefferts
See more highlights from our 45th Gala...
Recent Testimonial
"Beautifully-costumed, interactive performance. The pre-mask making and drama workshop gave participants an opportunity to make animal masks with the talented Natalie Resto and they also learned the songs and dance from the creative and dedicated Director, Leslie Elias. It was lovely to see the enthusiastic participation of the audience during the rich and immersive performance, with Daniel Saed as Anansi, and all of the other wondrous costumed actors, as they shared the story and messages of West African Folklore. Thank you for bringing this magical story to BMAC."
- Stacy, Events Manager & The BMAC Team, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
Recent Testimonial
"It was truly a pleasure to welcome The Grumbling Gryphons back to New Year’s Eve Millbrook this year, and to invite Leslie and her extraordinary ensemble to once again be part of our village celebration.
One of the most moving moments of the evening was seeing a former child performer return as an adult — now joined by his own children — to take part in this year’s performance. It was a beautiful testament to the lasting impact, joy, and sense of wonder that Leslie imparts through every production. That kind of full-circle moment speaks volumes about her dedication, artistry, and heart.
You can always feel the passion and care Leslie brings to her work. From the moment the performance began, the audience was gently and joyfully invited into the story. Watching so many young children step forward, wide-eyed and eager to participate, was truly special.
Anansi the Trickster Spider was a standout performance this year — vibrant with color, imaginative costumes and sets, playful music, and engaging sing-alongs. The show even introduced children to words in a new language, blending storytelling, culture, and fun in a way that felt both meaningful and accessible.
We were thrilled to have The Grumbling Gryphons as part of New Year’s Eve Millbrook once again, and we are deeply grateful for the magic, connection, and wonder they bring to our community year after year."
- Michelle Del Valle, Secretary, Past President (2023-24), Millbrook Rotary Club
December 31 | Grace Church Parish Hall, Millbrook, NY
instagram.com/newyearsevemillbrook
The Snow Queen at Rumsey Hall
"Thank you SO MUCH for such a wonderful show! I cannot believe what you and the kids accomplished in such a short period of time. It was truly incredible. Claire had the best experience."
- Brianne M. Foley
"Bravo to you and your crew yesterday! The performance was so sweet and I'm glad I was there to capture photos."
- Chloe Calo, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications, Rumsey Hall
Recent Testimonial!
My very first theatrical production was with The Grumbling Gryphons back in the 1990s, and that experience sparked a lifelong love of theater. I still vividly remember one performance when a cast member fell ill and a stand-in had to step into the role the very day of the show. Watching that kind of courage, adaptability, and teamwork unfold before my eyes profoundly shaped how I think about live performance—it taught me that true theater is as much about spirit and collaboration as it is about script and staging.
All these years later, it’s a joy and an honor to see my eight-year-old daughter now working with the incredibly talented Leslie Elias and this remarkable company. Leslie’s dedication to her craft and to nurturing young artists embodies the same creative magic I experienced as a child.
Having gone on to teach theater myself for over fifteen years—including eight years directing at a boarding school—I can say with certainty that much of my own philosophy as a director stems from those early days with The Grumbling Gryphons. Their blend of imagination, professionalism, and heart continues to inspire both my work and my family’s love of the stage.
The Grumbling Gryphons don’t just put on plays—they cultivate lifelong artists, storytellers, and dreamers.
Read "My Full-Circle Theater Experience with The Grumbling Gryphons" on our Reviews page.
Trickster Coyote Shares the Fire: A Native American Trickster Tale
Berkshire Botanical Garden's Annual Harvest Festival!
"This is the second time we have presented Grumbling Gryphons at Stissing Center, and both experiences have been highly engaging, memorable, and impactful for family audiences. We are grateful for their artistry and look forward to welcoming them back in the future."
Read executive director, Patrick Trettenero's full letter of recommendation
from the last performance of Trickster Coyote at the Stissing Center for Arts and Culture!
Grumbling Gryphons Celebrates 45 Years!
"Beyond Spectacular!"
- Ivan Brice, architect & audience member
"The 45th Anniversary Gala Celebration of the Grumbling Gryphons at Housatonic Valley Regional High School was a fun and joyous evening! Watching both seasoned actors and young children perform a variety of clever and thoughtful skits, showcasing the Grumbling Gryphons amazing and creative work through the years was both delightful and inspiring! The masks, costumes and props were, likewise, wonderful! Thank you for creating such a warm and welcoming community event that leaves one feeling happy and hopeful about humanity and the future!"
- Susan Peterson, Audience Member
"What a magical milestone! I can hardly believe we're celebrating 45 years of grumbling, growling, and absolutely enchanting audiences around the world. As one of the original co-founders back in 1980 when Bob Flanagan (may he rest in peace), Vanessa Roe, Mary Melia, you, and I first brought these mythical creatures to life in New York,"
- Tsila Blomberg, Co-founder, Grumbling Gryphons Theater Company
Thank you to Yonah Sadeh for video coverage of the event.
Please consider contributing to our Anniversary fundraising campaign,
See all our Historical Highlights