Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts opened its doors September 23, 1978, with Kermit the Frog and creator Jim Henson cutting the ceremonial ribbon. It has grown to be the largest non-profit organization in the nation dedicated to the art of puppetry, which it showcases through performances, museum collections and educational programs. The Center’s Education Department has spent over four decades optimizing engaging enrichment opportunities that support educational standards across the curriculum for students and provide continuing education for teachers. Though the signature initiative is the on-site Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ (more than 1,000 hours of interactive and creative programming connected to theater production topics each year), the Center’s outreach education programs have traveled across the country (and to Canada, Honduras and Bahrain, as well) to supply thousands of top-notch workshops and residencies covering topics like international puppetry, puppets and storytelling, puppet performance, puppet construction and more. Members of the Center’s Teaching Artist team have earned undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in theatre, puppetry, visual arts and/or education, have been extensively trained in both puppetry and arts education, and hold memberships in professional organizations such as Educational Theatre Association, Georgia Art Education Association, Puppeteers of America, Theatre for Young Audiences/USA and Union Internationale de la Marionnette USA.
Social Media:
- Instagram: @ctr_puppetry_arts
- Tik Tok: @centerforpuppetryarts
- X: @CtrPuppetryArts
- Facebook: Center for Puppetry Arts
Information on all available outreach programs can be found on the Center for Puppetry Arts website’s outreach programs page: https://puppet.org/programs/?type=workshop
The Center’s YouTube channel has a playlist of Create-A-Puppet Workshop video tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWwaqpuDh81D90AV1huKsZE4w34FZa1Br
The Center’s Facebook page has many of the Education Department’s “Puppet POW!” arts education videos posted: https://www.facebook.com/watch/11202374162/1404498973091897
The Center’s Vimeo library showcases examples of the Center’s programming across departments/activity areas: https://vimeo.com/centerforpuppetryarts
Primary Art Forms: Theatre/Drama, Puppetry
Distinctive Populations/Environments: Arts & Early Learning, Seniors/Arts & Aging, Arts Therapy, Arts & Persons with Disabilities
Teaching Qualifications:
The Center for Puppetry Arts opened its doors September 23, 1978, with Kermit the Frog and creator Jim Henson cutting the ceremonial ribbon. It has grown to be the largest non-profit organization in the nation dedicated to the art of puppetry, which it showcases through performances, museum collections and educational programs. The Center’s Education Department has spent over four decades optimizing engaging enrichment opportunities that support educational standards across the curriculum for students and provide continuing education for teachers. Though the signature initiative is the on-site Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ (more than 1,000 hours of interactive and creative programming connected to theater production topics each year), the Center’s outreach education programs have traveled across the country (and to Canada, Honduras and Bahrain, as well) to supply thousands of top-notch workshops and residencies covering topics like international puppetry, puppets and storytelling, puppet performance, puppet construction and more. Members of the Center’s Teaching Artist team have earned undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in theatre, puppetry, visual arts and/or education, have been extensively trained in both puppetry and arts education, and hold memberships in professional organizations such as Educational Theatre Association, Georgia Art Education Association, Puppeteers of America, Theatre for Young Audiences/USA and Union Internationale de la Marionnette USA.
Grade Levels: PK-12 with experience teaching university, adult and senior/aging populations
Core Content Curriculum Areas: Theatre/Drama, Puppetry Arts and Drama Therapy
Specialized Content Areas: Arts Integration, STEAM, World Cultures
Exceptional Student Populations Familiar Working With: Students with disabilities, Neurodiverse students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory sensitivities
Pre-Service Learning and Professional Development: Professional Development for K12 teachers
Program Experience:
The signature Education Department initiative is the on-site Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ (CAPW). The Education team develops more than 1,000 hours of interactive and creative programming connected to theater production topics each year, with the number of productions—and thus the number of distinct CAPWs– ranging from 10 to 12. For each CAPW, the team creates a curriculum-based learning activity supporting the theme and/or characters in the show, a puppet that all guests will build in the CAPW, an instruction sheet that leads guests step-by-step through the building process, and a tutorial video for the puppet that is posted on the Center’s YouTube channel. The Center’s outreach education programs have traveled across the country (and to Canada, Honduras and Bahrain, as well) to supply thousands of top-notch workshops and residencies to schools, libraries, community centers, senior centers, festivals and special events. All programs are created by Education staff to support educational standards as well as showcase the highest level or puppet artistry. Current offerings include Preschool Puppetry Playshops, Puppet Construction & More, International Puppetry Presentation, Puppetry 101, Artist-in-Residence Experience, Puppetry As Theatre Art and Teacher Professional Development Workshop. These programs have been tested through a rigorous pilot and preview program, fine-tuned via teacher feedback—and are seasonally refreshed to include up-to-date standards and practices.
Program Process:
Center for Puppetry Arts outreach education programs are created, administered and delivered by the Education Department leadership team: Education and Advocacy Director (Aretta Baumgartner), Associate Education Director (Jeff Domke), Lead Teaching Artist (Damon Young), Education Initiatives Manager (Reay Maxwell) and Education Coordinator (Liz Fagbile). Primary planning and curriculum alignment are overseen by Aretta (who has 25 years of program planning and arts integration experience), with specific program elements then assigned for crafting to other members of the team based on area of specialization (e.g. puppet building and international puppetry to Jeff, shadow puppetry and preschool programming to Damon, puppet performance and teacher training to Reay). Programs are piloted onsite (at the Center) for test audiences and Education team members before being presented to clients, with feedback solicited so adjustments can be made as needed. Scheduling, invoicing/contracting and client communications are handled by Liz, and programs are presented by Aretta, Damon, Jeff and Reay—all cross-trained, but each with areas of specialization so programs can be customized/personalized (e.g. Aretta high school programs and teacher training, Damon shadow puppetry and middle ages audiences, Jeff international puppetry and puppet building, Reay SEL and elementary residencies). Feedback is solicited after all programs to ensure quality and relevancy.
Sample Program 1
International Puppetry Presentation
Sample Lesson Plan >
- Puppetry
- Social Studies, English Language Arts and Reading
- Can be adapted for all ages/grades and family audiences
- Capacity 150
- 45-60 minutes
See the Global Art of Puppetry! Learn about different puppet traditions from around the world in this entertaining and interactive International Puppetry Presentation! Celebrate the intersection of geography, history, social studies, and the arts and experience the magic of puppetry through demonstrations, stories, music and more. Perfect for school assemblies, library programs, senior/multigenerational presentations, museums, arts and culture days and parent nights– and customizable for any occasion or learning goal.
Facility and technical requirements: cleared space of 20’ W by 20’ L and 2 presentation tables. Access to electricity. Sound system provided by presenter.
Fees for Sample Program 1: $250 + mileage @ 65.5 cents/mile
Sample Program 2
Preschool Puppetry Playshop
Sample Lesson Plan >
- Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards across various domains and strands (varies by theme)
- PreK, K, 1
- 25 students (1 classroom)
- 45-60 minutes
Preschool Puppetry Playshops are offered for children ages three to five. These workshops enhance motor skills, increase language and social skills, and develop self-confidence. Programs feature reading activities, songs, fingerplays, and puppet-making. These high-energy, engaging experiences support early childhood literacy by bringing to life a terrific book for early readers and celebrate creativity and the arts in developmentally-appropriate ways. Choose from the following themes: Amazing Animals, Dinosaurs Fairy Tale Fun, Perfect Pets, The Wheels On The Tuk Tuk by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal.
Facility and technical requirements: cleared space at front of room/classroom for storytelling and 1 presentation table. Desks/tables for students (for puppet making).
Booking information:
Please note the programs and lesson plans listed here are sample programs. For information about additional programs, or to ask about a custom-created program, please contact the artist.
Fees for Sample Program 2: $175 + mileage @ 65.5 cents/mile
Sample Program 3
Puppet Construction & More
Sample Lesson Plan >
- Puppetry
- Social Studies, English Language Arts and Reading
- Grades 2-12
- Capacity 25
- 60-120 minutes
Explore different puppetry styles, celebrate the history of the art of puppetry, create an exciting puppet of your own, and then bring that puppet to life by learning basic puppet manipulation! This workshop can be tailored to any group/classroom theme and can be adjusted to fit any schedule (one-hour or two-hour sessions suggested).
Facility and technical requirements: cleared space of 20’ W by 20’ L and 2 presentation tables. Desks/tables for students (for puppet making).
Fees for Sample Program 3: Fees vary by design and number or participants ($6 – $25 per puppet/student)+ $100 presenter fee + mileage @ 65.5 cents/mile
Booking:
Information on all available outreach programs can be found on the Center for Puppetry Arts website’s outreach programs page: https://puppet.org/programs/?type=workshop
Scheduling, invoicing/contracting and client communications are handled by the Center’s Education Coordinator:
Liz Fagbile
Education Coordinator
Center for Puppetry Arts
lizfagbile@puppet.org
404-881-5150
Geographic Availability:
The Center’s Education team will travel nationally and/or internationally to share puppetry magic, too! Travel, per diem, lodging, local transportation and baggage fees (in addition to program fees) apply.
- Listing ID: 7107