With a background in Theatre and Puppetry as well as a love for Children and Family Audiences, Allynn Gooen created his own one-man show - GOOWIN'S BALLOOWINS which he performs nation-wide at theatres, festivals, corporate events, and schools.

After earning his BA degree in Speech and Theatre from Montclair State University, Gooen immediately returned as a graduate assistant teaching Media courses in the mornings and earning his MA in the evenings. During the day he worked for his Guru of Puppetry at Bil Baird's Marionettes in New York City.

Completing his MA, Gooen taught Speech, Theatre, and Media courses at Montclair State, NY Tech, Jersey City State, Bergen Community College, and at FIT. At the same time he was working with his puppets and developing his skills with balloons. At one performance he forgot some of his puppets and got the inspiration to turn audience volunteers into puppets using his balloons as costumes. This performance was the beginning of Gooen's original art form... combining story-telling, audience participation, improvisation, and balloons. While demonstration his work to Bil Baird one day, Bil smiled and said "Goowin's Balloowins!"... and Gooen decided it was time to give up teaching.

From coast to coast in North America, Goowin's Balloowins has performed at theatres, festivals, corporate events, and a variety of gatherings from as small as a dog's birthday party to as large as the World's Fair. Goowin's Balloowins has also performed in Japan and in Australia.

Together with his wife, Gooen has created other performances that have taken thern to France, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Bali.

On television, Goowin's Balloowins' appearances include Shining Time Station, Fred Penner's Place, Nickelodeon, and a local cable series in New Jersey that Gooen hosted for two years. Last year he created a balloon for a commercial for American Express starring Jerry Seinfeld.

Besides spending time with his wife, Annie Hickman, and their 10 year old son, Ozzie (named after the Wizard of Oz), Gooen likes to play chess, tennis, and work on his Macintosh computer.

"The presentations you did for our family and adult audiences...are unsurpassed when looking at audience enthusiasm and involvement. I can honestly say that your shows have been the turning point for our Performance Series. People finally sat up and took notice when we presented you." B.P. Roccoberton, Jr. Dir. of Professional Puppetry Arts Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, Waterford

"...(Allynn's) ability to relate to and entertain audiences of all sizes, ages, and levels of sophistication was remarkable. His work was innovative and spontaneous and he easily attracted, maintained, and involved his audiences."
J. McDonough, Park Pro'gram Supervisor Artpark, N.Y.

"...creative, inventive, and enthusiastic...he has such a fine sense of what the children respond to, and wove an ingenious story that challenged their imagination and had them very excited to participate. He is extraordinary.
S.E. McKenna, Music Dept. Montclair State College, N.J.

"Having observed your work as a balloon man for several years 1 want you to know that no one can top your act. Although your act is designed for children, young adults and parents are equally excited about your performance. Your ability to work with small groups as well as the large audiences puts you in a special class.
D.J. Holquist, Chair., Comm. Dept. Calvin College, E. Lansing, MI

"What a success story. Children come to June Balloooon Festival, meet itinerant balloon performer, join show, and walk away transformed into a character from the plays they performed. The look in their eyes was of being mesmerized.
T. Doyle, Special Events Coordinator The Brooklyn Children's Museum, N.Y.

"Your special talent seems to capture the imagination of everyone who watches you perform." Allentown Celebration, PA

"Your energetic and highly creative performances thoroughly delighted the children and adults alike." S. Lazaroff, Dir. of Events Programming Hartford Downtown Council, CT

"The festival was visually imprinted with your wearable balloon sculptures of airplanes, jets, and giant earrings, etc. walking throughout the promenade. The public was most impressed with your balloon creations."
M. Dougherty, Coordinator of Perf, Arts, Baltimore

"I am sure that you will be pleased to know that I have had specific praise for your performance from all of our top directors and managers, and I even had a request from the Vice President of Creative Entertainment to see if I could get you under permanent contract."
S. Hansen, Show Director Creative Entertainment, Disney World, FL

"Besides being a master balloon-blowing artist, Allynn is thorough delight as a performer. His imaginative storytelling, improvisational interplay with the audience, and inspired sense of humor keep kids captivated and adults in stitches."
H. Adams, Director of Special Events The Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA

"...manic, wacky, and a whole lot of fun." The Edmonton Journal, Can.

"...Allynn doesn't put on a show, he is a show." Successful Meetings Magazine

You are simply phenomenal! You are creative and hysterically funny, yet sensitive and thoughtful at the same time. We don't know whether the kids or the parents enjoyed you more!"
David Posnack JCC, Davie, FL

"Gooen is a Master balloon sculptor, but that description only touches the cornerstone of what he does. His skill and originality with balloons are matched by his inventiveness as a storyteller and his ability to transform wherever he happens to be into a festive, playful experience ...and people (unlocking, involving and celebrating their imaginations and creativity) are the key to the magical web he weaves. He is original, he's funny, he is a catalyst audiences never forget. Allynn is a true entertainer."
Laugh-Makers Magazine

"The witty patter had the adult members of the audience roaring and the constant involvement of children on stage entranced his young fans."

The Sunday Times, Australia

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