Do you mean "What makes a person a real puppeteer?"?  Really all it takes is if you work with puppets.  There is no real criteria for being a puppeteer besides that.

While this is not puppetry it is pretty amazing. I'm not a big fan of opera but they are normally pretty impressive when it comes to staging and costumes.  This company takes things way over the top. http://www.bregenzerfestspiele.com/en/node/2550  Actually not so sure this is an opera company but a festival held each year.

The stage is built on the water and the scale is simply over the top and they haven't just done it once.  The best way to see what I am talking about is to Google Search: "opera on the lake austria" and then click on the images option. You can also see pictures of some of the past stages here.  The one that actually caught my eye first was the skeleton holding the open book. Some one had posted a picture on FB. 

I like this video!   I decided to go ahead and embed it in the thread. I'm really glad you joined us Megan... err sorry Dr. Megan. Hope you'll keep use updated here from time to time.  Not everyone here has a FB account.
" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
https://youtu.be/3XhBbPl8Q58

Yes you should have a portfolio! While Na is correct that there may be more opportunities for performers out there that does not mean that a builder can not find work. Some builders are freelance and do custom builds or create a line they can sell. Others find jobs in different areas. It may not be in a place like the Henson Studios but there are companies that build mascots or even creatures for movies and such that may be a source of income. Combined with your graphic design talents you could get a job in the prop shop of a theater perhaps. While often props involves dealing with buying or finding of things like furniture and such there are also times they deal with building unique things. Right now here in Kansas City there is a theater planing on doing "Little Shop Of Horrors". The prop shop will be the ones building the puppets.

So yes start that portfolio and don't be afraid to think outside the box.

Love the pulp fiction puppet! What a great pose.

Couldn't get the second link to load this morning. Maybe the site is just down for a bit.

That last one is pretty cool. I wonder how much of this work would eventually be lost if not for site like that. Granted it may still be out there in someones attic but who would ever see it if not for them.

I saw this posted over at FB and thought I would share it here also. These are not your traditional puppets.  Very creative!
#!" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
https://youtu.be/1JU4T9iqNTo#!

It is kind of hard to understand what you are asking. The English is very broken. I assume that English is not your native language. We have many members who speak other languages here. Perhaps if you ask in your own language also one of them might understand what you are asking better.

Well you could do a show in the park but I would make sure you don't need a permit from the city.   Shows can be done just about anywhere. Many folks do like you are thinking and preform on the street or in parks for tips. It is called Busking. There are other puppeteers who do shows for kids at birthday parties or school assemblies. The thing with that is you have to market yourself to get those gigs.  Starting out busking on the streets or parks may be easier in the beginning but like I mentioned make sure you aren't breaking any laws.

I would say that "advertising" in your schools and libraries is going to be your best avenue.  The reason I quoted advertise is because it is not always just a matter of posting a notice but contacting these agencies to see who is in charge of programing. You then need to link up with that person and present what you want to offer to them.

Wow they did pretty good with their Kickstarter fund raiser! They where going for $8,000 and ended up raising $21,353!