Center for Puppetry Arts is digitally open

The Center for Puppetry Arts is digitally open! From the comfort and safety of your own homes, the Center will Livestream puppet show performances on Facebook live along with an expanded lineup of digital learning activities, workshops and museum tours, all at no cost, registration or sign up required.

A full list of online programming available from the Center for Puppetry Arts this week can be found here.

This week's FREE programming..puppet shows, Making It!, and more!

These presentations are tidbits designed to inspire, educate, or just bring joy to your puppet world. FREE presentations that explore new traditions and aspects of puppetry so join us and put some puppet power into your day every day at 3 pm on Facebook!

FREE PROGRAM Weekdays at 9 am  Every weekday morning, rise and shine with the Raisin King. Each morning he promises to bring cheer, positivity, and sweet energy to your morning. We all need a sense of routine in these uncertain times. Start your family's new day with kindness, inspiration, and enthusiasm Home with the Center for Puppetry Arts.

National Puppet Slamdemic Sat, May 9th at 8 pm A benefit performance supporting the Puppeteers of America Direct Relief Fund for Puppet Artists. This online event will showcase the excellence and variety in the art of short-form adult puppet theatre by featuring puppet artists from all across the country.

Jim Henson Gallery Tour Mon, May 11 at 2 pm Visit the World of a Visionary Part 4 of 6 This six-part series explores the extraordinary life and career of Jim Henson, an American icon. Part three is focused on the creation of The Muppet Show. The Center is home to the world’s largest collection of Jim Henson puppets, props, and costumes.

Preserving Puppetry Wed, May 13 at 1 pm  Get to know the people working behind-the-scenes at the Center to preserve the art of puppetry. This week, meet the Worlds of Puppetry Museum Director, Jill Nash Malool.   Learn about what it takes to plan and implement Museum programming, collections care, and exhibitions for the Center’s unique collection. A short Q&A session will follow. This event is included with your Center Membership, but registration is required. Click here to register. Not a Member? Click here to see all of the benefits of membership and to become a Member today!

Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ Thurs, May 14, 3:30 pm  This week, create your own Stellaluna Rod & String Puppet in our Members Only Create-A-Puppet Workshop™. Visit our Etsy shop to purchase and download your template and materials/supplies sheet, and then gather supplies from around your home to make your own puppet masterpiece with us! Registration for this event is free for Members; puppet kit is sold separately. Click here to register. Click here to purchase your puppet kit. Not a Member? Click here to see all of the benefits of membership and to become a member today.

The Dark Crystal Trivia Night Thurs, May 14 at 7 pm  Looking for a fun date night during quarantine? Join us for Trivia Night as we explore the magical world of Jim Henson’s classic fantasy film, The Dark Crystal. Test your knowledge or learn fun new facts about the film. Questions will highlight items from our artifact collection. Our trivia winner will enjoy a FREE on-demand rental from the Center’s digital, on-demand library. Cost: $5. Available via Zoom Buy tickets!

Stellaluna Archival Screening with Q&A featuring Janell Cannon   Fri, May 15 at 4pm Based on the book by Janell Cannon Join us for a special digital presentation of the 2020 archival footage from the premiere of Stellaluna. A live Q&A session with author Janell Cannon, Artistic Director Jon Ludwig, and Puppet Designer Jason Hines will follow. They will discuss the process of bringing the production from the page to the stage! Cost: $10.  Available via Zoom Buy tickets!

Each TUESDAY and THURSDAY join us on Facebook at 1 pm to Make It! With these FREE guided workshops, you make a puppet at home.

The Body Detective: Eye spy...a body! A living, breathing body has been found! But who's responsible?! Detective Sam Flat Foot sleuths his way through Bodytown in this spine-tingling, nail-biting, hip-swinging musical whodunit. He swaps sweet talk with the gorgeous torch singer Lips; bones up on the body's framework with a dancing skeleton; and catches a capillary for a wild taxi ride. Dramatic lighting, film-noir tunes and a shadowy cityscape set the stage for this spectacular suspense told with hand-and-rod, string, and shadow puppets.

Dinosaurs: ROAR! Do you want to be a dinosaur? Francine, a frustrated young songbird, sure does! When Francine's mother drags down the old family album and opens the magical heirloom, the two go back in time and discover the pre-historical steps of the gentle giants, primeval predators and leaping lizards that once stalked the earth. Fascinating dino-facts are revealed as erupting volcanoes, catchy tunes, and life-like hand, rod and body puppets make this colossal creation come to life!

Weather Rocks: See the Weather People open up the floodgates to the mysteries of Mother Nature with cool facts about rain, snow, twisters, sunshine, and other weather phenomena in this unpredictable musical review! Tommy the Talking Thermometer trades secrets about temperature, the Sun explains how he sets the weather in motion, and cloud-lounging angels share the glory of the sky. More than 25 hand puppets, rod puppets, marionettes, shadow puppets, and body puppets bring "en-lightening" fun to this colorful, educational spectacle!

The Velveteen Rabbit Adapted by Bobby Box and Rita Byers Based on the book by Margery Williams In this classic tale, a boy and his shy, stuffed bunny are best buddies who enjoy the simple comforts of friendship. Snubbed by his mechanical toy companions, the rabbit has just one wish: to become "real." Do dreams come true? Can fabric turn into fur? Playful melodies, lovable hand-and-rod puppets, and a magical marionette reveal a heartwarming end to the ultimate toy story!

While the performances and activities are free, the Center for Puppetry Arts is asking for people to consider offering support in the form of donations as it will help the Center for Puppetry Arts tremendously during these difficult times. Donations can be made here.

Center for Puppetry Arts is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Vimeo.

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