The Center for Puppetry Arts is celebrating spring – safely! To make live, in-person performances on stage more accessible, the Center is offering a brand new, more flexible, cost-effective way to experience puppetry. The new Multi-Event Flex Pass is simple—the more all-inclusive family series tickets you buy, the more you save. Each ticket includes a performance, entry to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, and a Create-A-Puppet Workshop™. The Multi-Event Flex Pass is available for all of the Center’s on-site live programming as well as select digital programming.
The Center opens its Spring Series on April 2 with Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff, a blend of several fractured fairy tale favorites performed by the award-winning All Hands Productions. Find out what happens when a greedy troll tries to charge a toll to the Three Billy Goats Gruff as they each try to cross his “Troll Bridge.” The Reluctant Dragon then takes the stage on April 16 in an adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame classic about the value of friendship. Princess Penelope loves to read about dragons. Imagine her surprise when she actually meets and befriends one!
On April 30, Little Red rides into the Center with the Big Bad Wolf working double-time in this twisted, tangle of tales in The Big Bad Little Red Pig Show. Lee Bryan, “That Puppet Guy” performs this fast-paced show that “squishes” together two childhood favorites with just one Big Bad Wolf who can really bring down the house. It’s a curly “tale” not to be missed! Then in Pinocchio, beginning May 14, upcycled thrift store finds get new life in this unique retelling of the most classic puppet tale. You’ll see baskets become crickets, cooking pots become foxes, and a puppet just might turn into real “live” boy. This solo “tour de farce” combines prop comedy, found object puppetry and original sound compositions for a laugh out loud experience perfect for the whole family!
In each Create-A-Puppet Workshop™, patrons are invited to build and decorate their own puppet and perform with it on our classroom stage, based on the characters and style of puppetry in each individual production. This Spring’s Create-A-Puppet Workshops™ include a Giddy Goat Hand Puppet, Reluctant Dragon Rod & String Puppet, Portly Pig Hand Puppet, and Creaking Cricket Rod Puppet to accompany each of the shows in the Spring Series.
Looking for innovative digital activities this Spring Break to enjoy from home? Join the Center April 5-9 for the virtual Puppets Spring Break, a week full of hands-on activities and interactive online puppet shows. The week kicks off with Little Red Hen on Monday, April 5. This classic tale comes to life through an interactive performance led by puppeteer Jeffrey Zwartjes. Colorful hand puppets tell the story of a hen who finds a grain of wheat. Make your own Little Red Hen Hand Puppet! Using puppet templates provided with your ticket purchase, follow along with the interactive puppet-building workshop included with the performance.
On Wednesday, April 7, make your own hopping hare hand puppet in Make It! Spring Bunny. Bring your new bunny puppet for the final day of our virtual Spring Break to play along with The Velveteen Rabbit on Friday, April 9! Find your inner child once again through the story’s universal themes of imagination, play, and deep abiding love. The author’s original wit and touching honesty are all respectfully reinvented in this live interactive puppet tale filled with humor and sincere warmth.
In addition to their virtual Spring Break and upcoming Spring Series, the Center is celebrating some special occasions with some special events for you and the family. To begin the celebration of World Puppetry Day, join in on Facebook Live Friday, March 19 at 4 p.m. to see a free International Puppetry Presentation. Then, on Saturday, March 20, visit the Worlds of Puppetry Museum in person to view some Puppet POW! videos and review the five types of puppetry covered in the International Puppetry Presentation to prepare you to participate in a digital scavenger hunt in the Museum. Identify the five types of puppets and take home some free prizes!
Then, celebrate at the Center on May 9 for Mother’s Day at the Museum. The Center is a super special place to take Mom on her big day – a nostalgic journey with some of her favorite childhood characters. You like mimosas? Come enjoy– the “Mom”osa! (available for purchase). Plus, enjoy a special gift for Mom including a beautiful rose and additional goodies curated just for her!
“As winner of the Best of Atlanta in Edutainment, the Center for Puppetry Arts is thrilled to be offering on-site and online programming to celebrate the Spring season with all of our supporters in the community,” said Beth Schiavo, Executive Director.
The Center is maintaining its dedication to a safe environment for its guests by requiring masks, social distancing, limiting capacity, and frequent cleanings.
MUSEUM TICKETS
Tickets are available at puppet.org or by calling 404-873-3391.
All visitors are required to purchase a timed ticket prior to their visit.
Worlds of Puppetry Museum hours:
Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
ONLINE PROGRAMS Performances and Workshops are presented via Zoom.
Tickets are available at puppet.org or by calling 404-873-3391.
Live Puppet Show performance times are as follows:
Wednesday-Friday: 10 a.m., 12 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
Spring Series Puppet Shows
Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff April 2-11
The Reluctant Dragon April 16-25
The Big Bad Little Red Pig April 30-May 9
Pinocchio May 14-23
Create-A-Puppet Workshops™
Giddy Goat Hand Puppet (accompanying Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff)
Reluctant Dragon Rod & String Puppet (accompanying The Reluctant Dragon)
Portly Pig Hand Puppet (accompanying Big Bad Little Red Pig)
Creaking Cricket Rod Puppet (accompanying Pinocchio)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Puppets Spring Break April 5-April 9
Little Red Hen April 5
Make It! Spring Bunny April 7
The Velveteen Rabbit April 9
Mother’s Day at the Museum May 9
Contact info:
Name: Emily Snelling, Marketing and Communications Manager
Email Address: emilysnelling@puppet.org
Phone: 678.841.6114
Click here for a complete list of the Center’s major supporters.