Zara Machatine was born and raised in the Shoestring Theater of Portland Maine.  Growing up in the theatre she became an expert in Paper Mache, Marionette Theater, Storytelling, Stilt Walking, and Multi-Medium Performance Arts. She has 40 years of experience in adult and children's puppetry and arts workshops. Zara is also a mother of 2 (a 18 year old daughter and 14 month old son)