The Monster Troupe is a creative, processional arts volunteer group celebrated for its dynamic participation in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Halloween Parade—an event ranked among the top 10 Halloween parades in the United States.
In recent years, the parade has drawn crowds of more than 10,000 spectators to Portsmouth’s streets on Halloween. The Monster Troupe is known for transforming the parade route into a vibrant Halloween spectacle, bringing giant puppets, elaborately crafted costumes, and theatrical performances to life. Dancers and performers animate the creations with movement and storytelling, creating an immersive experience that delights the community and captures the imaginative spirit of the parade.
Holly Cook, the founder and Ringmaster of the Monster Troupe—also affectionately known as the Monster Mistress—has an unexpected story: from biotechnology to the arts. After founding BIODESIGN International, a company specializing in the manufacture and distribution of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, Holly successfully sold her company. With more time to pursue creative interests, she began exploring the arts in earnest. Initially self-taught in paper mâché techniques, she began creating masks for Halloween costumes, starting with Beetlejuice characters.
What began as a personal creative project gradually grew into something larger. Each year Holly invited friends to join her in the Portsmouth Halloween Parade, helping coordinate costumes, puppets, and performances as the group expanded. Along the way, her husband Tim Cook joined in and helped support the growing effort as the project took on a life of its own. Over time, more artists, builders, performers, and volunteers became involved, and what started as a small gathering of friends evolved into the Monster Troupe—a collaborative community effort devoted to creating a Halloween spectacle greater than the sum of its parts.
Photo Credit Roger Goun Photography
Photo Credit Roger Goun Photography 2017
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A significant change occurred in 2017 with the creation of the 30ft Sand Worm, marking the Troupe's first venture into larger-scale puppetry. The addition of music and community-based dancers, partnering with Tia Almeida Pike, the Dance Mistress, enhanced the Troupe's processional performance and audience engagement.
Holly and her husband Tim's training with the Processional Arts Workshop in 2018 further evolved the Troupe's capabilities, leading to creations like the giant, illuminated spider with articulated legs.
Photo Credit Kendal J. Bush Photography 2018
During the pandemic, when the Portsmouth Halloween Parade was cancelled, the Monster Troupe pivoted to support the community by making 1,000 face shields for local hospitals.
They also engaged in street theater with the Pandemic Portsmouth Plague Doctor Promenade.
In June 2024, Holly was selected to participate in the prestigious National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O'neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT. As one of just ten artists accepted into the intensive 10-day masterclass,, "Giant Lantern Puppet Creation and Performance" with Andrew Kim , she honed her skills in large-scale puppet design and performance. Drawing from these new techniques and materials, Holly led the Monster Troupe in bringing Medusa and her Vipers to life as the 2024 parade theme, creating a striking spectacle of Medusa and their illuminated serpentine creations.
In 2025, the Monster Troupe partnered with the Port City Makerspace. Jeff Gunn brought the Giant Creepy Clown to life by animating its eyes—controlled by joystick—and later joined the Troupe to operate them during the parade..
Photo Credit Ralph Huber 2025
The Monster Troupe has gained wide recognition in the NH press, NH Chronicle (TV), NH Magazine, and maintains an active presence on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, showcasing their innovative and community-focused spirit.
Portsmouth Herald and also at Seacoastonline.com.
October 26, 2025
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