People of Fairyland

Here are some of the people who make Children’s Fairyland the special place it is.

   C.J. Hirschfield, Executive Director

C.J. joined Children’s Fairyland as executive director in 2002 after a distinguished 25-year career in cable television. But long before that, she visited Fairyland with her daughter, Micah. “I remember thinking Fairyland was unique, and that we are very lucky to have this special place in Oakland,” C.J. says.

Fairyland’s focus on reading readiness is one reason C.J. loves her position. She’s volunteered in community efforts to promote childhood literacy for many years. She served on the Oakland Library Advisory Commission for four years, including two years as chairperson, and for ten years on the board of the Oakland Parents’ Literacy Project, which sponsors family reading nights at low-performing Oakland elementary schools. C.J. also served as two-term chairperson of the board of directors of the California Attractions and Parks Association, which promotes park safety and high professional standards. She currently serves on the mayor’s education cabinet.

C.J. graduated from Stanford University with a degree in communications. She lives in Oakland and loves the fact that she can walk to work.

   Ann Hyde, Director of Operations

Is the carousel spinning? Is the Bubble Elf blowing bubbles? Are the birthday party areas ready for “showtime”? These are just a few of the questions Ann Hyde answers every day. In her role, Ann is responsible for all of the park’s day-to-day functions. Fortunately for us, she has lots of experience managing complex programs. She came to Fairyland in 2006 after spending nearly 30 years in the City of Oakland’s building maintenance division managing structural, plumbing, painting, and playground safety projects. Ann shares her three-and-a-half-acre home in Clayton with two spoiled llamas and a kelpie.

Randal Metz, Director, Storybook Puppet Theater

At age 10, San Leandro native Randal Metz won an audition to become a Fairyland Personality. He spent the next year portraying the Mad Hatter at Fairyland—and he never left. While still in grade school he apprenticed with Lewis Mahlmann, the creator of Fairyland’s Storybook Puppet Theater. Mahlmann taught him how to construct puppets, write scripts, and design sets. Later, he studied with TV puppeteer Lettie Shubert, Disneyland window designer Bob Baker, and Muppets head writer Jerry Juhl.

From 1979 through 1999, as Fairyland’s artistic director, Randal designed sets, taught the Children’s Theater Program, created publicity, and managed staff. Today, Randal takes great pride in directing America’s longest-running puppet theater and bringing high standards of creative excellence to every production.

To kids who think they might enjoy a career in puppetry, he says, “Stick to your dream and learn everything you can!” Randal has a B.A. in theater arts from San Francisco State University.

Lewis Mahlmann, Storybook Puppet Theater Director, 1967-1990

Lewis Mahlmann has been a guiding light of Fairyland since its early years. A prominent Bay Area puppeteer when our theater opened in 1956, Mahlmann served as puppetry consultant and builder while also designing Fairyland features such as the Japanese Tea Garden and the Emerald City Stage.

In 1967 he left a successful real-estate career to become the puppet theater’s fourth director. His puppet-show creations — “Alice in Wonderland,” “Aladdin,” “Cinderella,” “Thumbelina,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and many others — are among Fairyland’s most beloved productions.

Lewis grew up in Chicago and began collecting puppets as a child. He says he loves all types of puppets, but has a special fondness for hand puppets. Although he retired from his director’s post in 1990, Lewis still stages productions at Fairyland. “I especially enjoy it when children come backstage after the shows,” he says. “It’s all part of the joy of working with kids.”

Doyle Ott, Director, Children’s Theatre Program

Doyle Ott oversees all aspects of Fairyland's Children's Theatre as well as establishing and maintaining community partnerships with arts and educational organizations via the use of the park's theatre facilities.

Doyle directs, performs, and teaches throughout the Bay Area.  As a scholar, he presents and publishes research dealing with theatre and circus education internationally.  In addition to his duties at Fairyland, Doyle lectures in theatre at Sonoma State University. 

Doyle holds a Ph.D. in Theatre for Youth from Arizona State University, an MA in Arts Education from San Francisco State University, and a BA from UC Irvine.  He is also a graduate of San Francisco's Clown Conservatory and is an authorized Feldenkrais instructor. 

Children’s Fairyland Board of Directors

Daniel Altemus

Karen Boyd

Anne Campbell-Washington

Nashwa Emam

Jamie Flaherty-Evans

Larry Magid

Theresa Nelson

Georgia Richardson

Glenn Voyles

Matthew Webb

Ron Zeno