The following is a brief overview of the Center for Puppetry Arts’ currently scheduled Henson-related exhibits and events. Many other events and live performances can be found on the Center’s website, www.puppet.org. Go to www.puppet.org/e_newsletter.shtml and sign up for the e-newsletter to receive special offers and news about all of the Center’s upcoming activities. For information on Memberships, go to www.puppet.org/contribute/member.shtml.

The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, GA is a unique cultural treasure – a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained. Since 1978, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry, and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops and the hands-on global museum.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts; the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly (GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts); and contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations. Major funding for the Center is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. Major support is provided by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs. The Center is a constituent of TCG and member of the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts. The Center also serves as headquarters of UNIMA-USA.

Memberships last a year, start as low as $45, and are fully or partially tax deductible, depending on the level.

FILM: Handmade Puppet Dreams III
Curated by Heather Henson
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 8pm
USA / 2007 / 66 min / Color / English

Recommended for ages 14 & up

Location: Mainstage Theater

Handmade Puppet Dreams III is a selection of eleven short puppet films by independent artists exploring their handmade craft especially for the camera. The goal is to showcase a new generation of puppeteers who embrace film as a medium for their individual expressions. Collected here are films that focus primarily on real-time performed puppetry with an emphasis on character.

Cost: $7, $5 for Center Members

LECTURE: The Jim Henson Legacy Presents Fran Brill: “My Life as a Muppeteer”
Presented by Fran Brill, New York, NY
Saturday, June 28, 2008, 8-9pm

Recommended for ages 13 & up

Location: Mainstage Theater

Don’t miss Emmy Award-winning actress and puppeteer Fran Brill as she talks about her fascinating life juggling her acting and puppeteering careers. She was the first female Muppeteer hired by Jim Henson on Sesame Street and is best known for creating and performing Prairie Dawn and Zoe. She has also performed with the Muppets on Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show, The Jim Henson Hour, and Elmo in Grouchland. As an actress, Brill has guest-starred on many night-time dramas including Law and Order and her film credits include Being There, Midnight Run, and What About Bob? Her presentation includes video of backstage at Sesame Street and a Q&A.

Cost: $7, $5 for Center Members

FILM: The Muppet Movie SING-ALONG!
MEMBERS ONLY EVENT
Directed by James Frawley, hosted by Heather Henson
Sunday, Sept 14, 2008, 4pm
USA / 1979 / 95 min / Color / English

Location: Mainstage Theater

The Muppet Movie is a lovingly made, touching story for kids of all ages by puppeteer Jim Henson. The film debut for the Muppets, this movie-within-a-movie chronicles the Muppets rise to fame beginning in a swamp and ending in Hollywood. Included are hilarious cameos by Milton Berle, Mel Brooks, Bob Hope, Cloris Leachman, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Telly Savalas and Orson Welles. Join us for a special “sing-along” screening hosted by Heather Henson to celebrate the Center’s 30th birthday.

Part of the Members Only 30th Anniversary Weekend. FREE for Members Only.

Become a Member today! Visit www.puppet.org for details.

FILM: Puppet Up! – Uncensored Live in Australia
Film produced by the Jim Henson Company Creative Director & Host Patrick Bristow
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009, 8pm
USA / 2007 / 76 min / Color / English

Ages 18 & up ONLY

Licensed exclusively to the Center for Puppetry Arts by The Jim Henson Company comes Puppet Up! – Uncensored live from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne, Australia. Created by Brian Henson, Puppet Up! – Uncensored is a demonstration of what happens when the perilous and provocative forms of traditional comedic improvisation are mixed with a bunch of puppets. With a motley group of characters brought to life by the world-renowned puppeteers of The Jim Henson Company, this is not your average night at the improv and it is definitely not for children. But all others are welcome to enjoy the uninhibited anarchy of live puppet performance as never seen before.

COST: $7, $5 for Center Members

EXHIBIT: Jim Henson: A Man & His Frog
On Long-Term Display
Love Family Atrium

Jim Henson: A Man and His Frog profiles Jim Henson and his most famous puppet. This display inaugurates a series of preview exhibitions leading to the proposed Jim Henson Wing of the Center for Puppetry Arts. On loan from The Henson Family Collection courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy.

EXHIBIT: Jim Henson: Puppeteer
On Long-Term Display
Special Exhibit Gallery

Drawn from the extensive collection of the Henson family and The Jim Henson Legacy, Jim Henson: Puppeteer includes Rowlf the Dog, Ernie, the La Choy Dragon, Dr. Teeth, The Swedish Chef, Bugsy Them and others. The exhibition presents photographs, design reproductions and a selection of the many puppets Jim performed during his lifetime. On loan from The Henson Family Collection courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy.

EXHIBIT: Jim Henson: Wonders from His Workshop
Sept 16, 2008 – Sept 13, 2009
Love Family Atrium

Highlighting some of the performance and design contributions Jim Henson and his collaborators have made to the world of puppetry, this exhibit features the technological advances behind Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth and more. Come and experience past and current innovations that continue to inspire puppeteers and audiences around the world. On loan from The Henson Family Collection courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy.

More Highlights of the 30th Anniversary Weekend:

Saturday, Sept 13 & Sunday, Sept 14, 2008

ALL performances and activities are available exclusively to Members ONLY during the Anniversary Weekend, including The Ugly Duckling, Museum, Workshops, Behind-the-Scenes Tour, etc.

EXHIBIT: Jim Henson: Wonders from His Workshop
MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW
Saturday, Sept 13, 2008, 9am-5pm
Sunday, Sept 14, 2008, 11am-5pm
Special Exhibit
Love Family Atrium
FREE for Members Only

Experience wonders from Jim Henson’s workshop including Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth and more! (For more information, see its previous description.)

Birthday Cake Celebration
Sunday, Sept 14, 2008, 2pm
Harlequin Hall
FREE for Members Only

Join us as we celebrate 30 successful years and look forward to making our new dreams come true. Enjoy a slice with us!

FILM: The Muppet Movie SING-ALONG!
MEMBERS ONLY EVENT
Sunday, Sept 14, 2008, 4pm

Location: Mainstage Theater

FREE for Members Only

Join Heather Henson as she leads us on a singing tour through one of our favorite films! There’s Movin’ Right Along, I Hope That Something Better Comes Along, I’m Going to Go Back There Someday, and, of course, The Rainbow Connection. (For more information, see its previous description.)

For more information on anything you see on this page, please contact Elizabeth Leary, 404.881.5142, elizabethleary@puppet.org.