Center for Puppetry Arts - Holiday Programming

Families are invited to enjoy a little extra holiday cheer this season as the Center for Puppetry Arts celebrates the 2017 run of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ with festive weekend events! First up, guests can kick off the holiday season with a tasty treat on Saturday, November 11.  Famed Atlanta chef (and former "Top Chef" contestant) Kevin Gillespie will be at the Center dressed as his doppelgänger Yukon Cornelius.  Patrons are invited to join Chef Gillespie and the Yukon Cornelius puppet for a holiday photo opportunity.  In addition, the Center’s special guest chef will be serving up samplings of his signature Warm Embrace Hot Cocoa and guests will have the opportunity purchase a can of the hot chocolate mix to take home as a holiday gift.  The event will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and is free with paid admission. On the evening of Saturday, November 11, the Center will present another beloved holiday classic:  a screening of “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” at 7 p.m. in the Mainstage Theater.  In this 1977 Jim Henson film, Ma and Emmet Otter enter a talent competition to win money to fund their Christmas gift-giving.  This screening was added to the line-up due to popular demand after the December showing sold out.  Tickets include admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, and beer and wine will be for sale.  Tickets are $12.50 for nonmembers and free for Members. On Saturday, November 18, the model builders from LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta will be at the Center for a special holiday LEGO® build activity, where guests can make and take home a special holiday-themed LEGO build.  This special event is from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and free with paid admission, while supplies last. Families attending Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ on Saturday, November 25, can enjoy a very special, free holiday photo opportunity with one of the puppets from the show!  Don’t forget to bring a camera because the Rudolph lineup makes a great holiday photo. Big news!  LEGO Rudolph is returning to the Center for Puppetry Arts’ lobby beginning Thursday, November 30!  The Rudolph statue is built out of LEGO bricks courtesy of our friends at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta. Finally, the Center for Puppetry Arts will have a float filled with fan-favorite puppets during the 2017 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2!                  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer  is recommended for ages 4 and up.  All-inclusive tickets to all shows include entrance to the Create-A-Puppet Workshop™, where guests can make, decorate, and perform with their own King Moonracer™ Rod & String Puppet, as well as admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum (with the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets and artifacts in the world as well as a Global Gallery).  Special events are included at no extra charge with paid admission.             Rudolph tickets prices vary by date and can be purchased online at www.puppet.org or by calling 404873.3391. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all elements © and ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC.

Indian Culture Comes Alive at the Center for Puppetry Arts!

History and art come together in the Center for Puppetry Arts’ newest exhibit, Indian Puppets: The Great Stories and Dancing Dolls, opening November 14. The special exhibit will celebrate India’s cultural range by exploring the diversity of puppetry techniques and genres across the subcontinent along with the ways puppetry has been used as a storytelling tool in India for more than a thousand years.  “One of the main reasons we chose to highlight Indian puppetry is because, in addition to more historical puppetry traditions, India also has a thriving contemporary arts community with puppeteers creating engaging new work,” says Center for Puppetry Arts’ Museum Director Kelsey Fritz.  “Puppetry in India is incredibly diverse and each region of the country has performance traditions and stories specific to their area.  We hope that by learning about these different puppetry traditions, visitors will walk away with a better understanding of Indian culture and geography as a whole.” The exhibit is comprised of more than 40 puppets on display including both traditional and contemporary pieces, covering eight different puppetry styles.  The puppets will be displayed as if they were being used in a performance so visitors can get a sense for the mobility and personality of each piece.   This exhibit is sponsored in part by the Consulate General of India Atlanta and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and will be on display through July 15, 2018. The Center will be celebrating the run of the exhibit with a number of special events.  To kick off opening weekend, November 18-19, Museum hours will be extended until 7 p.m., and the weekend will include a special performance of Kalyana Sougandhikam by Natana Kairali of Kerala, India, at 5:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.  The story is from the Mahabharata and is performed with traditional Indian glove puppetry. On Saturday, January 20, 2018, the Center presents Celebration of India Family Day!  The event will include special activities to celebrate Indian puppetry and culture, including a reading of “The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk” and book signing with author Sue Sehgal as well as puppet building, special gallery programs, and more! The Center presents a special movie night on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  In addition to the screening of Tomorrow We Disappear, a documentary about Kathputli, India’s colony of artists and puppeteers facing eviction, there will be a talkback with one of the film’s directors following the film at 8 pm. Finally, on March 26, 2018, Dr. Kathy Foley and Karen Smith, the curators of Indian Puppets: The Great Stories and Dancing Dolls, will visit the Center for an in-depth lecture about the puppetry of India, part of the Explore Puppetry Workshop Series from 7-9 p.m. Entrance to this special exhibit will be included with regular Museum admission, which is free for Members and $12.50 for nonmembers – plus sales tax and includes access to the entire Worlds of Puppetry Museum (with the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets and artifacts in the world as well as a Global Gallery.)  Admission to the special exhibit will also be included with all-inclusive tickets to Family Series and New Directions Series performances.   Tickets can be purchased online at www.puppet.org or by calling 404.873.3391.

Center for Puppetry Arts to host enchanting events for boys and girls of all ages

Step right up! The Center for Puppetry Arts will kick off the 2017-2018 season with the anticipated return of Cinderella Della Circus.  The magical, circus-themed show will be supplemented with a number of applause-worthy, free weekend events to celebrate the high-flying spirit of the show.   The Center for Puppetry Arts will somersault into fun on Saturday, June 24 with a carnival to celebrate the show’s opening weekend.  Patrons can enjoy a bounce house, fresh popcorn, and a visit from our friends Bean & Bear who will be clowning and performing walk around puppetry and magic tricks. Cinderella is a pro at walking the tightrope, so patrons will have a chance to learn some of her tricks!  On Saturday, July 8, the Center will host Circus Arts Day.  Members of Atlanta’s Circus Arts Institute will be on-site giving lessons in tightrope walking simulations and scarf juggling. They will be joined by a stilt walker, who will roam the atrium on sky-high stilts.                            A sensory-friendly version of Cinderella Della Circus will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, to continue the Center’s ASD initiative.  During this performance, the following alterations will be employed:  theater lights dimmed down but not out, consistent sound levels and lower volume of show soundtrack, freedom for children to talk and to leave their seat if necessary, a quiet zone in the lobby and permission to bring quiet, contained snacks, and beverages.  These adjustments will continue into the museum and Create-A-Puppet Workshop. Cinderella Della Circus uses marionette puppets, including some that do special tricks.  Guests interested in learning how to use a marionette will get the chance on Saturday, July 15!  The Center’s staff of puppeteers will be leading demos and teaching an introductory lesson on marionette puppetry using hand-made scarf marionettes. Finally, the Center will celebrate the show’s final weekend on Saturday, July 22, with a truly sparkling activity – bedazzling!  In the spirit of Cinderella’s famous slippers, patrons are invited to bedazzle their own shoes.  The Center has partnered with Atlanta-area Shoe Carnival stores to offer a 30% off discount on a new pair of shoes.  Families are encouraged to purchase those before the show and bring them to decorate after the performance.  The Center will provide all the bedazzling supplies. All of these events will take place between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the days listed and are included at no additional charge with an all-inclusive admission.  Cinderella Della Circus is presented in the Mainstage Theater, June 20 – July 23.  Reduced-price previews will take place June 20 and 21.  Show times are as follows: Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. and noon Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $9.75 (Members) and $19.50 (nonmembers) – plus sales tax.  Tickets include admission to the performance, the Worlds of Puppetry Museum (with the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets and artifacts in the world as well as a Global Gallery) and entrance to the Create-A-Puppet Workshop™, where guests can make and decorate their own special Stretcho Rod Puppet and perform with it on our classroom stage.  Tickets are available online at www.puppet.org or by calling 404.873.3391.

Topthorn Comes to Atlanta - Center for Puppetry Arts!

Straight From the War Horse’s Mouth: Topthorn Comes to Atlanta

Center for Puppetry Arts’ newest acquisition will be unveiled during anniversary weekend celebration with Cheryl Henson Get ready for a larger-than-life anniversary celebration! Friday, November 11 - Sunday, November 13, the Center for Puppetry Arts will celebrate the first anniversary of its Worlds of Puppetry Museum with a weekend full of activities, including the opening weekend of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the premiere of the Center’s newest iconic museum acquisition, Topthorn from the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of War Horse. The weekend will also include a viewing of the documentary Making War Horse with an introduction by Cheryl Henson, daughter of Jim Henson and Center for Puppetry arts board member, as well as a discussion with performer, designer, and puppet artist Tom Lee, who performed in War Horse at Lincoln Center. Cheryl Henson recently acquired Topthorn at auction from the National Theatre in London and donated it to the Center’s museum.   Built by the Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa, Topthorn was one of the two main characters in War Horse.  At 10 feet long, the figure is larger than a real horse. This is the first Handspring puppet in the Center for Puppetry Arts’ collection.  War Horse is based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo.  The show opened at London’s National Royal Theatre in 2007 and has toured 11 countries. On Saturday, November 12, after patrons have had a chance to view the new Topthorn display, the Center will present a screening of the documentary Making War Horse with an introduction by Henson.  Following the screening, Lee will take questions and discuss his role in War Horse.  Lee has been on numerous stages in New York.  Other credits include his performance in Dan Hurlin’s Obie-award winning Hiroshima Maiden and Disfarmer, and Lee Breuer’s epic puppet opera La Divina Caricatura. To kick off the weekend’s celebration, Lee will lead an exciting master class on the evening of November 11 from 7:30 – 10 p.m.  Previous puppetry experience will be required to take part; space will be limited.  The cost of the class will be $40 and will include the ability to purchase a limited number of reduced price tickets to the next evening’s film event. Email education@puppet.org to be placed on the list to receive application information. In addition to unveiling Topthorn, the Center will be rotating items in the Worlds of Puppetry Museum throughout the month of November.  Twenty new pieces will debut in the Jim Henson Collection, including Fazoobs from The Muppet Show and new pieces from Fraggle Rock, Dog City, and The Song of Cloud Forest.  Guests can see the new additions and round out the weekend with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, after which they can make and take home a Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster™ Hand Puppet.  The holiday classic has become an Atlanta tradition! WHAT: Center for Puppetry Arts’ Star-Studded First Anniversary Celebration WHEN: Friday, November 11 – Sunday, November 13 Museum open regular hours all weekend Friday: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 10 and 11:45 a.m.; Tom Lee workshop 7:30-10 p.m. Saturday: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 12 and 2 p.m.; Making War Horse Film 8-10 p.m. featuring Cheryl Henson and Tom Lee on stage Sunday: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 1 and 3 p.m. WHERE: Center for Puppetry Arts 1404 Spring Street NW Atlanta, GA 30309 HOW: All events include admission to the Topthorn display and Worlds of Puppetry Museum. Tickets for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are $10.25 (Members) and $20.50 (Nonmembers) and include admission entrance to the Create-A-Puppet Workshop™, where guests can make and decorate their own Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster™ Hand Puppet and perform with it on our classroom stage. Friday night’s workshop is $40. Tickets for Saturday night’s movie showing are available for $10 (Members) and $15 (Non-members). Tickets can be purchased online at www.puppet.org or by calling 404.873.3391.

Center for Puppetry Arts to host Jim Henson 80th Birthday Celebration!

Special activities to honor life of iconic puppeteer and visionary artist

A momentous occasion to celebrate Jim Henson’s 80th birthday, Center for Puppetry Arts will host a birthday bash on Saturday, September 24, 11 a.m. -5 p.m.!

Festivities will include a special guided tour of the Jim Henson Collection, Henson-focused story time, puppet building, Henson gallery carts with an informal Q&A with Center conservators, and will culminate with special film screenings of Jim Henson’s The Storyteller and Farscape at 8 p.m.

All activities will take place in and around the Jim Henson Collection in the newly expanded Worlds of Puppetry Museum at the Center, which also includes a Global Collection.

Festivities are as follows:

• 11 a.m. Special Guided Tour of the Jim Henson Collection
• 12:30 & 2:30 p.m. Henson-Focused Story Time
• 1-4 p.m. Fantastical Friends Puppet Building in the Center’s Atrium
• 2-5 p.m. Henson Gallery Carts and an informal Q&A with the Center’s Jim Henson puppet conservators
• 8 p.m. Screening of The Storyteller and Farscape

With the exception of the special guided tour and the film screenings, all activities are FREE with Museum admission.

Continuing its Henson-related programming on Monday, September 26, the Center will host a special Explore Puppetry Series workshop, Costuming: Puppets, Muppets & Mascots, with Bonnie Erickson of the Jim Henson Legacy, Harrison/Erickson, Inc. and Acme Mascots. Erickson was part of the original design team for The Muppet Show and is credited as the designer and builder ofMiss Piggy, now a part of the Center’s Jim Henson Collection. The workshop, for ages 18 and up, is from 7-9:30 p.m. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Industry and student discounts are available with current student ID.

What:
A Jim Henson 80th Birthday Celebration

When:
September 24 & 26, 2016

Where:
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring Street, NW at 18th
Atlanta, GA 30309

How:
For ticket information, visit www.puppet.org or call 404-873-3391

Center for Puppetry Arts Unveils 2016-17 Season

Atlanta’s premier puppetry arts organization presents all-new production of “Pete the Cat;” favorites “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “The Ghastly Dreadfuls” return, plus more fun! Building on the continued excitement and energy around the new Worlds of Puppetry Museum which opened in November, the Center for Puppetry Arts® announces its 2016-2017 season. The Center will feature new stage productions as well as family favorites and notable guest artists. New educational programming and expanded museum offerings and special events round out a season that promises something for everyone who loves the art of puppetry! Highlights of the 2016-2017 Family Series include the brand-new puppet production of Pete the Cat, adapted from the widely popular and imaginative book series by Atlanta artist James Dean. Inspired by Dean’s real-life cat, Pete pounces from the page to the stage as his laid-back, easy-going spirit takes him and his fine friends on a host of groovy adventures including surfing, skateboarding, and playing guitar. Pete goes with the flow, and his positive outlook carries him through whatever obstacles come his way. Also debuting is an original production for children ages 2 and older, Old MacDonald’s Farm. This Theatre for the Very Young production is a barnyard bonanza of fun and furry animals. Soaring back to the Center’s Mainstage for its seventh consecutive holiday season is the Center’s own beloved adaptation of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Talented touring artists are also a big part of this season’s Family Series. Hopping back to Atlanta in celebration of author Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday is Thistle Theatre’s Tales of Peter Rabbit. Other touring companies visiting this season include Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers with The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Silly Hollow and Teatro SEA with their bilingual adaptation of the popular Cuban and Puerto Rican fable La Cucarachita Martina (Martina the Little Roach). The Center’s New Directions Series for adults and teens continues to expand the perception and expectations of puppet theater for older audiences. NDS opens with National Puppet Slam 2016, an evening of curated, short-form puppetry pieces showcasing the excellence and variety of puppetry by artists from all around the country. Back by popular demand, Atlanta’s favorite band of specters, The Ghastly Dreadfuls, returns from the grave to celebrate Halloween with a ghostly jamboree fit for the living and the dead. Then, Simpich Marionettes of Colorado Springs returns to the Center with Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist, performed with hand-crafted marionettes and David Simpich’s signature vocal prowess. Rounding out the New Directions Series is the Center’s annual Xperimental Puppetry Theater, bringing together artists from all disciplines to create bold, innovative new works in puppetry for adult audiences. The ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) initiative allows guests with ASD to experience the Center in a comfortable and safe setting, supported by staff members who have been trained in interactions with patrons with ASD. The Center’s ASD initiative will feature seven sensory-friendly Family Series performances, with their accompanying Create-A-Puppet Workshops sensory-adjusted as well. Museum exhibits and a film will also be adapted for ASD audiences as a part of this initiative. Robust and diverse educational programming will be a highlight of the 2016-2017 Center season. Create-A-Puppet Workshops offer visitors the opportunity to build and decorate a puppet that is inspired by the style of puppetry in or characters from the Family Series production being presented. The Explore Puppetry Series offers adults almost a dozen professional development workshops in everything from Puppetry 101: A Performance Primer to When Once Is Not Enough: Molding & Casting Duplicates. There’s also the brand-new Junior Explorers Series, offering workshops for kids ages 9-12, and anchored by the ever-popular Puppet Camp, and the Center’s award-winning Distance Learning program provides live, interactive videoconference programs and other recorded content allowing school groups and puppet lovers across the globe to experience the fun of the Center from any location. The Worlds of Puppetry Museum opened in November 2015 with the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of Jim Henson puppets and artifacts, as well as puppets from around the world. Since the completion of the museum expansion, a whole series of programming is being enhanced, expanded or developed specifically for the Museum. Ongoing programming includes Tale Time Thursdays and daily tours for families, while specialty themed evenings such as Henson Trivia Night and Valentine’s at the Center are geared toward adults. The museum’s Film Series continues its mission to showcase puppets on the big screen with such favorites as Babe the Gallant Pig and Being John Malkovich (among many). New figures will rotate into the Worlds of Puppetry Museum in early June. The Center’s wide variety of programming allows patrons to connect with puppetry and experience puppetry in a way that is most enjoyable and suitable for them. The 2016-2017 Family Series: (Recommended for Ages 4+ except where noted) The Swan (Ages 3+) May 24 – June 5, 2016 By Théâtre de Deux Mains of Montréal, Québec, Canada The Little Pirate Mermaid June 7 – July 17, 2016Adapted by Jon Ludwig Sleeping Beauty July 19- 31, 2016 By National Marionette Theatre of Erie, Pa. Old MacDonald’s Farm (Ages 2+) August 2 – September 11, 2016 Adapted by Amy Sweeney Tales of Peter Rabbit September 14-25, 2016 By Thistle Theatre of Seattle, Wash. La Cucarachita Martina (Martina the Little Roach) September 28 – October 9, 2016 By Teatro SEA of New York, N.Y. The Jungle Book: The Story of Mowgli’s Fire October 12 – 23, 2016 By Frisch Marionettes of Cincinnati, Ohio The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Silly Hollow October 25, 2015 – November 6, 2016 By Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers of Bar Harbor, Maine Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer November 8 – December 31, 2016 Adapted by Jon Ludwig The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf January 3-22, 2017By Mesner Puppet Theater of Kansas City, Mo. The Adventures of Mighty Bug January 24– March 12, 2017 Adapted by Jon Ludwig The Dragon King March 14 – April 2, 2017 By Tanglewood Marionettes of Ware, Mass. Pete the Cat April 4 – May 21, 2017 Based on the book series by James Dean Adapted by Jon Ludwig The 2016-2017 New Directions Series for Adults & Teens: National Puppet Slam (Ages 18+) September 2-4, 2016 The Ghastly Dreadfuls (Ages 18+) October 12-29, 2016 By Jon Ludwig and Jason Hines Oliver Twist (Ages 12+) February 28-March 5, 2017By Simpich Marionettes of Colorado Springs, Colo. Xperimental Puppetry Theater (XPT) (Ages 18+) May 11 – 14, 2017 By Various Artists 2016-2017 Explore Puppetry Workshops Personality Type in the Puppetry World Presented by Sadie Young, M.Ed., MBTI - Myers-Brigs Type Indicator June 13-17, 2016 Puppetry = Breath, Movement, Dance: Building Confident Performers through Kinesthetic Concepts Presented by Lyric Cosby Jackson Dance Project Monday, Aug. 29 | Tuesday, Aug. 30 | Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016 Costuming: Puppets, Muppets & Mascots Presented by Bonnie Erickson, Jim Henson Legacy Harrison/Ericson, Inc. & Acme Puppets Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 Snip Stitch Floor Focus: Puppet Creation and Performance for Television Presented by Bob’s Your Uncle Productions Sunday, Nov. 6 | Monday, Nov. 7 | Sunday, Nov. 13 | Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 Fundraising 101 Presented by C4 Atlanta Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 Puppetry 101: A Performance Primer Presented by Aretta Baumgartner Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 When Once is Not Enough: Molding & Casting Duplicates Presented by The Engineer Guy Monday, March 6, 2017 Marionette Manipulation Presented by Tanglewood Marionettes Monday, March 27, 2017 The Shadow Puppet Conspiracy: How to Perform Shadow Puppet Improv Presented by Sea Beast Puppet Company Monday, April 24, 2017 A Day in the Life of Puppet Film Presented by Ninja Puppet Productions Monday, May 22, 2017 2016-2017 JUNIOR EXPLORERS SERIES Puppet Camp Presented by Center for Puppetry Arts Education Department Monday-Friday, June 13-17, 2016 A World of Puppets Presented by Jeff Domke and Damon Young, Center for Puppetry Arts Education Department Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 Create a Cardboard Puppet Pal Presented by Lee Bryan, That Puppet Guy Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017 2016-2017 Museum Film Series Babe the Gallant Pig Saturday, June 18, 2016 – 7 p.m. Jim Henson’s The Storyteller and Farscape Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 – 8 p.m. Jason and the Argonauts Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 – 7 p.m. Muppet Treasure Island Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 – 7 p.m. Team America: World Police Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 – 8 p.m. Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird Saturday, March 11, 2017 – 7 p.m. Being John MalkovichSaturday, May 20, 2017 – 8 p.m. MEMBERSHIP The best way to experience the Center is by becoming a Member! Members enjoy benefits like discounts on tickets to performances, free admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, free films, and priority seating. For more information, visit WWW.PUPPETJOIN.COM or call the membership office at 404-881-5151. TICKETING Ticket prices vary for performances and other programs. See prices at WWW.PUPPET.ORG or call 404-873-3391.