In this day and age of advanced electronic technological gadgets, it might seem that old-fashioned childhood pleasures, such as a puppet show, might be passé. However, not only is puppeteering alive and well, but it’s thriving nationwide, thanks in part to showcases like the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater in Balboa Park. Anyone who happens to be in the vicinity of the Pan American area of Balboa Park near the automotive museum on Wednesdays through Sunday mornings, can attest to the throngs of youngsters and their parents heading toward the historic building. The 200-seat venue has been hosting shows since 1947, featuring all types of puppets from marionettes to shadow puppets, rod-motion creations (like the Muppets) to life-size characters. Productions can range from simple single performer shows to multi-stage stories with numerous characters and background personnel. Joe Fitzpatrick, a puppeteer and president of the Balboa Park Puppet Guild which manages the theater, first became inspired by puppets following a puppet exhibition at the Museum of Art. He has worked with puppets since 1993, coming to the Marie Hitchcock Theater in 2001. Despite the competition from 3D movies, video games and other parts of modern childhood life, puppets are still a draw for youngsters of all ages, Fitzgerald said. “We haven’t seen a lot of change due to technology,” he said. “We do pretty well because our prices are so low.” Tickets average between $4 and $6 per show, making these live performances a bargain compared to movies. “There are also a lot of families out there who are trying to get their kids away from technology, we get some that don’t let their children watch television or films, so they make a specific effort to have them come and see live theater,” Fitzgerald said. He notes the family-friendly nature of the performances. “We give children a chance to view live theater without the pressure of not talking and not moving in your seat and that kind of thing,” he said. “We’re a little more relaxed than that.” He noted that while the theater’s shows are squarely aimed at children, adults will also enjoy the performances. “We denote shows that are specifically for preschool children, ages 1-3,” Fitzgerald said. “But most of our puppeteers try to put stuff in for the adults as well as jokes for the children.” Fitzgerald points out that like the audience members, the puppets themselves come in all sizes. An upcoming production, “Circus Precarious,” Feb. 9-13, features all life-size puppets, while the annual Halloween show features a 10-foot-tall ghost. Fitzgerald considers the current climate for puppeteering to be healthy. In 2007, the winner of the TV talent show “America’s Got Talent” was ventriloquist Terry Fabor, while late-night talk-show host Craig Ferguson has made puppets a regular part of his show’s opening segments. “There are theaters around the country that book traveling shows,” he said. “San Diego has 15 or so full time puppeteers.” The theater stages more than 50 productions a year, with most running two to three days. While the bulk of the shows are performed by six resident puppeteers — including Fitzgerald, Millie Patterson, Eva Kvass, Zachary Crook, Enid Bartnicki and Gaston Martineau — there is also a worldwide touring circuit in place for puppeteers, with a regular rotation of performers and shows, including themed holiday shows. Fitzgerald has 16 shows in his repertoire at the theater, including an annual summer pirate extravaganza that includes underwater scenes using black light and a six-foot pirate ship. “It’s so different from week to week,” he said. “You don’t like what’s going on one week now? Come back in a few days and it’s a totally different show.” MARIE HITCHCOCK PUPPET THEATER 2130 Pan American Place, Balboa Park Shows: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10 and 11:30 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. All ages welcome www.balboaparkpuppets.com