Center for Puppetry launches a new season of exciting exploration

Magic, mystery and mayhem await for both children and adults this season at the Center for Puppetry Arts.

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The 2024-2025 season promises to be a busy one for the Center for Puppetry Arts, which has many events planned for audiences of all ages. Well over a dozen events are on the docket, including a special exhibition and a few world premieres.

The season has already started with Summer at the Center, which this year is focusing on the works of the legendary Jim Henson. From now until October 27, the World of Puppetry Museum will host a special exhibition showcasing characters from the 1980s Henson series Down at Fraggle Rock, which also received a reboot in 2022.

In addition, Summer at the Center features a Puppet Camp, where young children can learn about the art of puppetry, as well as a production of Sesame Street the Musical, running through August 4. The musical had its premiere off-Broadway in September 2022.

The Center’s family programming will feature a mix of new and old, with traditions such as The Headless Horseman of Silly Hollow (October 23 through October 27) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (November 14 through December 29), giving longtime patrons something familiar to look forward to. 

Audiences can also catch brand-new productions of Owl at Home (August 14 through September 8) and Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote (September 18 through October 20). The former is a whimsical, slice-of-life musical following the adventures of a solitary owl, while the latter is about a family of rabbits who are forced to immigrate north and face dangers along the way. Pancho Rabbit is adapted from the picture book of the same name by Duncan Tonatiuh.

Among the rest of the children’s programming are Squirrel Stole My Underpants (January 8 through January 19), which features a thrilling chase between a young woman trying to do her laundry and a mischievous squirrel; Rainforest Adventures (January 29 through March 2); Galapagos George (March 5 through March 16), which will teach children about ecosystems and wildlife; and Milo the Magnificent (March 19 through March 30), which will include a puppet doing magic tricks. The final children’s show of the season is none other than Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat (April 8 through May 25).

As for more adult fare, puppetry artists from across the country will come together for one weekend in the National Puppet Slam (August 30 and August 31). The yearly Halloween special, The Ghastly Dreadfuls (October 2 through October 26), returns to haunt the living, and The Ninja Puppet Shenaniganza, featuring Raymond vs. Raymond (January 23 through February 2) emerges “from the deeply unhealthy mind of Raymond Carr” to showcase various short plays and films that Carr has created for other adult puppetry events in Atlanta.

The final opening of the season on April 30 is the return of XPT: Xperimental Puppetry Theater, an annual celebration of avant-garde puppetry.

“This season promises to captivate audiences with diverse and thought-provoking performances that showcase the breadth of our artistic vision,” says Executive Director Beth Schiavo. “Each production embodies our commitment to excellence and creativity. Join us for a season filled with excitement, exploration and unforgettable experiences.”

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Luke Evans is an Atlanta-based writer, critic and dramaturg. He covers theater for ArtsATL and Broadway World Atlanta and has worked with theaters such as the Alliance, Actor’s Express, Out Front Theatre and Woodstock Arts. He’s a graduate of Oglethorpe University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, and the University of Houston, where he earned his master’s.