Richard Bay is anything but typical. As a director, professor and friend, the master puppeteer has won the respect and admiration of his students, co-workers and others in the theater community. Often compared to Jim Henson, the creator of “The Muppets,” Bay is known for bringing out the passion in students, the desire to learn by leading through example and treating every student as an equal.

Bay, a professor of puppetry for the Department of Theatre and Dance, has spent the last 30 years of his life dedicated to the art of puppetry theater. In his last big production before retirement, Bay will present “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki.”

“The Love Suicides at Sonezaki” is a Bunraku play, a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater, written three decades ago. Performances begin at 8 p.m. on Friday in the University Theatre.

“I’m excited for the audience to see this production because it is truly a unique experience, and a chance to be educated about a form of theater and the Japanese culture that they’re not familiar with,” Bay said.

Bay’s passion for theater puppetry began at the early age of 4, when he witnessed his grandmother doing a performance of “The Frog Prince.” It wasn’t until he reached college that Bay was able to put his love and imagination into performances on stage.

Bay is a soft-spoken, calm and easygoing man, with bright blue eyes, a pleasant smile and a gray beard. He shies away from questions regarding awards or personal accomplishments. It’s not until the subject of his latest production or his love for educating students through puppetry that his eyes light up and he is overcome with pride.

“Puppetry is a different world that brings out the most creativity and imagination in students, to see them get so excited about making a puppet come to life is very rewarding,” Bay said.

More than anything, Bay loves to share his vision-a vision so beautiful, colorful and unique that he would do anything in his power to share it with as many people as possible.

If it means spending all of his time on campus, from early morning to midnight, or spending his own money to get the right fabric, the right plastic, or to pay for airfare to get the best person for the job, whatever it takes to reach perfection, he’s willing.

“I tend to put money into the productions because I have expensive taste,” Bay said.

Linda Goodrich, the dance coordinator of the Department of Theatre and Dance, has worked with Bay for years in his productions.

“Richard is a kind, creative and spirited man who translates his passion into students,” Goodrich said.

As a professor, Bay is anything but usual. He takes his role as a director to a whole new level by taking part in the design of the whole show.

“Richard would do anything to get his vision realized,” Goodrich said. “Richard goes all over the world doing research, he always brings in new production ideas and is incredible when it comes to the visual designs.”

Bay emphasizes the need to collaborate and encourages ensemble work.

“In productions, everyone is important, and needed, to be successful,” Bay said. “There is not one star.”

Senior theater major Sarah Penney has worked with Bay for the last four years.

“Richard lives and breathes theatre,” Penney said.

Bay is a brilliant professor because he is willing to teach, Penney said. He’s always eager to share his desire, information and knowledge.

Evidence of Bay’s desire to share his knowledge and enlighten the community on an insight into the Japanese culture through the art of puppetry, is apparent.

“(It’s a) unique opportunity for people to see this type of production because puppetry is not on Broadway or very commercialized and only done in universities,” Bay said.

“‘The Love Suicides’ is going to be an amazing show,” Penney said. “The visual elements of the show are pretty incredible, there is a lot of spectacle and so much fantastic layering.”

Bay’s shows are always well known in the community and brings a positive focus to the theater department, Penney said.

“I chose to do this production as my last big show because it’s so beautiful and an incredible manipulation of puppets,” Bay said.

In his 30-year career as a professor at Sac State, Bay has received awards including a national award of excellence from an international puppetry organization for his production “A Thousand Cranes,” and is recognized country wide as a master of puppetry.

Now heading into retirement, Bay is looking forward to returning to elementary schools, spending more time with his grandchildren, traveling the world, but still dedicating himself to educating people on the art of puppetry theater.

“By educating students, theater will always continue,” Bay said. “We have to keep theater going or else we will be stuck in a world of television and radio.”

Bay said puppets create stories and emotions and bring out the imagination in people.

“As an artist, Richard is incredible,” Penney said. “He treats people he works with as an equal and when you see everything he creates, it’s exciting because you are able to absorb it and become a part of it.”

Bay will be remembered most for his spectacular vision and desire to educate.

“His teaching is radically different than any other resources available,” Penney said. “Sac State is losing a very valuable professor.”

Bay promises to continue his love for puppetry.

“Puppetry is a life performance, it’s my passion, and will always be a part of me,” Bay said.”The Love Suicides at Sonezaki” continues at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on April 19, 8 p.m. on April 20 to 22; and 2 p.m. on April 23.

Jessica Rojo can be reached at [email protected]