Celebrating 25 years - Center for Puppetry Arts

Library
The Center’s Research Library is full of excellent resources on the art of puppetry, including books and videos
from around the world. Although some patrons just browse or watch a video for fun, the majority of patrons
use the library for specific research.
During this season, high school students and their parents visited to research for school projects. College
students stopped by to work on papers, with topics ranging from Jim Henson to the history of puppetry, from
types of puppets to puppetry traditions in Asia, Turkey and beyond.
Experienced puppeteers, teachers and professors – from the local area and visitors from out of state – found
information on puppetry in education and therapy, how to build puppets, and the traditions of Wayang Kulit,
Wayang Golek and Bunraku.
Center staff utilized the library as well – new puppeteers viewed archival videos of shows being remounted;
marketing and ticket sales watched videos and did research to learn how to sell a previous show; and Xperimental
Puppetry Theater participants learned more about the craft.
Museum Highlights
Julie Taymor Donates
Lion King Masks
Disney’s The Lion King officially opened
on Broadway on November 13, 1997.
Julie Taymor, Tony award winner and
Oscar nominee, directed the smash
hit and designed the costumes, masks
and puppets. In 2003, Taymor donated
Mufasa and Scar to the Center’s
permanent collection. Created in1997,
the two mask prototypes are made
out of carbon fiber, acrylic paint, balsa
wood, ethafoam and feathers.
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