News

Don’t Make Me Get Dressed by The Gottabees on 3/1

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Join us on 3/1 at 11am and 2pm as we bring back the popular Boston-based company The Gottabees to perform their new production Don’t Make Me Get Dressed!

For every child who has struggled to get into their clothes first thing in the morning (and for every parent who has fought valiantly in the battleground of the morning routine), comes Don’t Make Me Get Dressed – a gloriously silly and inventive ode to the feelings we have when we choose our clothes… and to what happens when our clothes come to life and choose us. Don’t Make Me Get Dressed features The Gottabees’ trademark mix of puppetry, joyously absurd silliness, physical theater, live music, and surprising poignancy. Recommended for ages 3+. Runtime is approximately 35 minutes plus a question-and-answer session.

The Gottabees are passionate about community, family joy, and empowerment, and have been guiding families through stage performances, interactive experiences, and audio adventures since 2013. The Gottabees have performed in 19 states, and five countries for over 45,000 people, and were awarded a UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence. Their projects have been funded by the Jim Henson Foundation, Puppeteers of America, US Artists International, and the Boston Foundation.

Ticket Prices: Adults: $12; Members/Seniors: $10; Students: $8; Kids: $6 (12 years and under).

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by calling 860-486-8580, or online at https://shorturl.at/cyG2r. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ballard Institute on the day of the performance starting at 10 a.m. There will be open seating and no reservations. Visitors can park in the Downtown Storrs Garage located at 33 Royce Circle. For more information about these performances or if you require accommodation to attend this event, please contact Ballard Institute staff at 860-486-8580 or bimp@uconn.edu.

Now on Exhibit! “American Puppet Theater Today: The Photography of Richard Termine”

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Photo: Mirror Mirror by Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles of Processional Arts. Created for New York City’s 50th Annual Village Halloween Parade, Jeanne Fleming, Artistic and Producing Director. Photograph: © 2023 Richard Termine

 The Jim Henson Foundation and the Ballard Institute presents American Puppet Theater Today: The Photography of Richard Termine as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of UConn’s Puppet Arts Program in 2025. The exhibition, including over 150 images and selected puppets featured in Termine’s photographs, including work by Torry Bend, Basil Twist, Dan Hurlin, Tarish Pipkins, Theodora Skipitares, Bread and Puppet Theater, Janie Geiser, Tom Lee, and Paul Zaloom. American Puppet Theater Today will be on display through Sunday, May 11 at the Ballard Institute.

Termine, an alumnus of the UConn Puppet Arts Program, has documented American puppet theater for over 30 years with a unique perspective that invites the viewer into the vivid world of puppetry. He is the lead performing arts photographer for The New York Times and has served as the in-house photographer for Sesame Street since 1988. His images have also appeared in the Washington Post, The Village Voice, Time, Newsweek, People, American Theatre, USA Today, Entertainment Design and Der Spiegel, and other publications.  

Termine’s performing arts photography includes a wide range of images capturing notable artists globally (Lincoln Center, London’s Globe Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Dublin Theatre Company, among others), in theater (The Phantom of the Opera, Little Shop of Horrors, Cirque du Soleil), dance (Alvin Ailey, Merce Cunningham, Moscow Festival Ballet), opera (Metropolitan Opera, Folkoperan of Stockholm), television (The Today Show, Blue’s Clues, Live at Lincoln Center, The CBS Evening News), classical music (Lincoln Center Festival, Salzburg Camerata, Mostly Mozart), and concerts and cabaret (Liza Minelli, Michael Feinstein, Ray Charles, Yo-Yo Ma, Tony Bennett, Yoko Ono, Kristin Chenoweth).  

“Richard brilliantly captures the vibrancy of the performances he photographs; even in static images, the puppets come to life,” said John Bell, a puppeteer, puppet historian and the director of the Ballard Institute.  “The photos and puppets in the exhibition illustrate the dynamic range of this expansive art form and honor the lively community of artists creating puppet theater, from established experts like Basil Twist and Julie Taymor to emerging artists.”   

Termine completed his MFA in Puppet Arts at UConn in 1978. He began his association with The Jim Henson Company in 1980 as a puppet designer and builder for a variety of Muppet productions.  While working on the set of Sesame Street, he began photographing behind the scenes, leading to a new career as a performing arts photographer. He has been the in-house photographer for Sesame Street since 1988 and has been on the board of The Jim Henson Foundation since 1987, currently serving as the Foundation’s vice president. 

Jack and the Beanstalk by Nappy’s Puppets on 2/15

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To kick off its 2025 Spring Puppet Performance Series, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut is pleased to welcome back UConn Puppet Arts alumnus Jim Napolitano of Nappy’s Puppets to perform Jack and the Beanstalk on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the in the Ballard Institute Theater, located at 1 Royce Circle in Downtown Storrs.

Though English in origin, Jack has become a true American folk hero. Jack and the Beanstalk by Nappy’s Puppets focuses on Jack and his many adventures; from Jack be Nimble, Jack Horner, and Big Jack and Little Jack, to the popular Jack and the Beanstalk. Based on Appalachian folk tales collected by Richard Chase, Jack and the Beanstalk utilizes the ancient art of shadow puppetry in a new and innovative way. With songs and stories and well over 80 handcrafted shadow puppets, Nappy's Jack and the Beanstalk is sure to delight young and old.­­­­­

Jim Napolitano (Nappy’s Puppets) is a native of Milford, Conn., and a graduate of UConn’s Puppet Arts Program. After completion of his degree, Jim worked with Bits and Pieces Puppet Theater, performing around the country and world, including Japan's National Culture Center and Taiwan's National Theater.

Ticket Prices: Adults: $12; Members/Seniors: $10; Students: $8; Kids: $6 (12 years and under).

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by calling 860-486-8580, or online at bimp.uconn.edu. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ballard Institute on the day of the performance starting at 10 a.m. There will be open seating and no reservations. Visitors can park in the Storrs Center Garage located at 33 Royce Circle. For more information about these performances or if you require accommodation to attend this event, please contact Ballard Institute staff at 860-486-8580 or bimp@uconn.edu.

 

Grand Opening of “American Puppet Theater Today: The Photography of Richard Termine” on 1/31!

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Photo: Mirror Mirror by Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles of Processional Arts. Created for New York City’s 50th Annual Village Halloween Parade, Jeanne Fleming, Artistic and Producing Director. Photograph: © 2023 Richard Termine

 The Jim Henson Foundation and the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will American Puppet Theater Today: The Photography of Richard Termine as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of UConn’s Puppet Arts Program in 2025. The exhibition, including over 130 images and selected puppets featured in Termine’s photographs, including work by Torry Bend, Basil Twist, Dan Hurlin, Tarish Pipkins, Theodora Skipitares, Bread and Puppet Theater, Janie Geiser, Tom Lee, and Paul Zaloom. American Puppet Theater Today will be on display from Friday, Jan. 31 to Sunday, May 11 at the Ballard Institute.

Termine, an alumnus of the UConn Puppet Arts Program, has documented American puppet theater for over 30 years with a unique perspective that invites the viewer into the vivid world of puppetry. He is the lead performing arts photographer for The New York Times and has served as the in-house photographer for Sesame Street since 1988. His images have also appeared in the Washington Post, The Village Voice, Time, Newsweek, People, American Theatre, USA Today, Entertainment Design and Der Spiegel, and other publications.  

Termine’s performing arts photography includes a wide range of images capturing notable artists globally (Lincoln Center, London’s Globe Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Dublin Theatre Company, among others), in theater (The Phantom of the Opera, Little Shop of Horrors, Cirque du Soleil), dance (Alvin Ailey, Merce Cunningham, Moscow Festival Ballet), opera (Metropolitan Opera, Folkoperan of Stockholm), television (The Today Show, Blue’s Clues, Live at Lincoln Center, The CBS Evening News), classical music (Lincoln Center Festival, Salzburg Camerata, Mostly Mozart), and concerts and cabaret (Liza Minelli, Michael Feinstein, Ray Charles, Yo-Yo Ma, Tony Bennett, Yoko Ono, Kristin Chenoweth).  

“Richard brilliantly captures the vibrancy of the performances he photographs; even in static images, the puppets come to life,” said John Bell, a puppeteer, puppet historian and the director of the Ballard Institute.  “The photos and puppets in the exhibition illustrate the dynamic range of this expansive art form and honor the lively community of artists creating puppet theater, from established experts like Basil Twist and Julie Taymor to emerging artists.”   

Termine completed his MFA in Puppet Arts at UConn in 1978. He began his association with The Jim Henson Company in 1980 as a puppet designer and builder for a variety of Muppet productions.  While working on the set of Sesame Street, he began photographing behind the scenes, leading to a new career as a performing arts photographer. He has been the in-house photographer for Sesame Street since 1988 and has been on the board of The Jim Henson Foundation since 1987, currently serving as the Foundation’s vice president. 

The grand opening of American Puppet Theater Today: The Photography of Richard Termine on Friday, Jan. 31 will begin with refreshments served at 6 p.m. and an in-person exhibition tour at 6:30 p.m. by Richard Termine, with Cheryl Henson, the President of The Jim Henson Foundation; this will also be streamed on Ballard Institute’s Facebook Live channel (facebook.com/BallardInstitute/). All events will take place at the Ballard Institute, located at 1 Royce Circle in Downtown Storrs. 

Ballard Institute Closed on 11/28

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The Ballard Institute will be closed on Thursday, 11/28 for Thanksgiving. The museum is open for regular hours the rest of the week.

Monday, 11/25 + Tuesday, 11/26: CLOSED

Wednesday, 11/27: 11 am – 5 pm

Thursday, 11/28: (Thanksgiving) CLOSED

Friday, 11/29: 11 am – 5 pm

Saturday, 11/30: 11 am – 7 pm

Sunday, 12/1: 11 am – 5 pm

“Exploring Puppetry in The Old Man and the Old Moon” Puppet Forum on 11/20

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As part of its 2024 Fall Puppet Forum Series and in conjunction with the Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s fall season, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry is pleased to host “Exploring Puppetry in The Old Man and the Old Moon” on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the Jorgensen Gallery, located at 2132 Hillside Rd, Storrs, Conn. 06268. This forum is co-sponsored by the UConn Connecticut Repertory Theatre and will be streamed via Ballard Institute Facebook Live (facebook.com/BallardInstitute).

“Exploring Puppetry in The Old Man and the Old Moon” will offer a special behind-the-scenes glimpse of this new Connecticut Repertory Theatre production before that evening’s 7:30 p.m. performance at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. The forum will discuss the design, construction, and performance of shadow figures and three-dimensional puppets in of a PigPen Theater Company play with music, directed by Matt Sorensen, a Visiting Professor of Dramatic Arts in UConn’s Puppet Arts Program. In conversation with Ballard Institute Director John Bell, Sorensen and Puppet Arts MFA student designers Harley Walker and Mel Carter will discuss the process of conceiving and creating puppetry elements for this acclaimed Off-Broadway production about the aging caretaker of the moon, and the conflicts of duty and love he faces.

Admission to the forum is free (donations greatly appreciated!), and refreshments will be served. For more information or if you require accommodation to attend a forum, please contact Ballard Institute staff at 860.486.8580 or bimp@uconn.edu.

To purchase tickets for The Old Man and the Old Moon, visit crt.uconn.edu.

Wonderland Puppet Theater Symposium, 10/25-10/26

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The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry is excited to host a “Wonderland Puppet Theater Symposium” on Friday and Saturday, October 25-26, in conjunction with our Wonderland Puppet Theater: Visions of the Beloved Community exhibition curated by Dr. Paulette Richards. 

The “Wonderland Puppet Theater Symposium” is inspired by and explores in more details the work of Alice Swann and Nancy Schmale, housewives from the interracial Concord Park subdivision near Philadelphia, who, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of a more equitable “beloved community,” worked together to create a popular hand-puppet theater. Founded in 1961, their company, reflecting contemporary developments in the Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Movement, and innovations in children’s media, created entertaining and educational puppet productions performed throughout the Northeast. The symposium will bring together University of Connecticut faculty from the departments of Economics, History, English, American Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, with scholars, puppeteers, and activists from the U.S. and abroad. 

The symposium is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register to attend in person, visit: bimp.ticketleap.com.  

The symposium will be live streamed via Zoom. To register to attend virtually, please visit: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rQdSZJe8TOmmETxtwng3Xw.

The “Wonderland Puppet Theater Symposium” is supported by a UConn School of Fine Arts Anti-Racism Grant and University of Connecticut Humanities Institute Speaker, Conference, and Workshop funding; and is co-sponsored by UConn’s African American Cultural Center, Women’s Gender, and Sexuality Studies program, and the Robert T. Leo, Jr. Fund for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts.

The schedule will include:  

Friday, October 25 

4-5 p.m.: Wonderland Puppet Theater exhibition tour with curator Dr. Paulette Richards  

5-6:30 p.m.: Dinner break  (not provided)

6:30-7 p.m.: Keynote Address: Dr. Paulette Richards  

7-8 p.m.: Film Screening: In Black, a documentary on African American puppeteers directed by Jacqueline Wade, with post-screening discussion with the director.  

Saturday, October 26 

9:30-11 a.m.: “’The Marriage Agreement’: Women Artists Navigate Gendered Divisions of Labor” with Dr. Nancy Naples (UConn Departments of Sociology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies), Dr. Alissa Mello (University of Exeter), and Jacqueline Wade (filmmaker and puppeteer). 

Early press for Wonderland Puppet Theater identified the artists as Mrs. James Swann and Mrs. Raymond Schmale. Yet 1963, the year they attended the Puppeteers of America national festival was also the year that Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique. Wonderland Puppet Theater addressed the discontent around the “traditional” role of women, especially in their portrayals of traditional puppets Punch and Judy. How much progress have women made in re-negotiating “the marriage agreement” and extricating themselves from “the second shift” of housework and childcare that women carried as they moved into occupations, including artistic careers, that took them out of the home?  

11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: “Children’s Media: Literature, Television, Theater” with Dr. Vibiana Bowman (Rutgers University emerita), Dr. Katharine Capshaw (UConn Department of English), and Khalilah Brooks (Puppeteer, Aunty B’s House).

In 1966 Alice Swann and Nancy Schmale began to perform their puppetry on live television. Each week alternated between the two women puppeteering on a show hosted by Willadine Bain, a former high school English teacher. Swann, a certified kindergarten teacher, collaborated with Bain on scripts that presented age-appropriate literacy lessons and information about African American history. How much power do women and people of color have in creating children’s media today?  Is children’s media bringing us closer to or taking is further from embracing the vision of “Beloved Community” as a core value?  

12:45-2 p.m.: Lunch break  (not provided)

2-3:30 p.m.: “Residential Segregation” with Dr. Stephen L. Ross (UConn Department of Economics), and Dr. Jeffrey Ogbar (UConn Departments of History and American Studies).  

Morris Milgram was the son of impoverished immigrants in New York City. Expelled from college for leading an anti-fascist protest, he joined the real estate development industry and was a pioneer in desegregated living communities. In 1954 he established Concord Park, an interracial subdivision of single-family homes for middle-class buyers just outside of Philadelphia. This symposium aims to answer the following questions: What is the status of residential desegregation today vs. 1956 when Milgram broke ground on Concord Park?  What do developers, lenders, elected officials, and community organizers need to do to make further progress towards realizing Milgram’s dream?  

 3:30-4: Final Thoughts, moderated by Dr. Paulette Richards, with all symposium participants. 

The Baffo Box Show by Modern Times Theater on 10/19

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As part of its 2024 Fall Puppet Performance Series, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut is pleased to welcome back Modern Times Theater to perform The Baffo Box Show, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the in the Ballard Institute Theater, located at 1 Royce Circle in Downtown Storrs.

Audiences are captivated throughout this one-of-a-kind show performed by Justin Lander and directed by Rose Friedman. Find out what happens when the Baffos, two slapstick chaps who keep the sun, moon, and everything else running, juggle their changing world. With classic hand puppetry, Dadaist ventriloquism, and stand-up comedy, all from a cardboard box, this show will have audiences of all ages laughing out loud.

Modern Times Theater has been making and touring puppet shows and acts and creating community events since 2007. They seek to reinvent classic American entertainment, by pursuing out-of-the box models of art making, often creating venues out of historic or run-down locations. Co-founders Rose Friedman and Justin Lander are a husband-and-wife duo, and producers for Vermont Vaudeville and alumni of the Bread and Puppet Theater. Learn more and purchase tickets: bimp.ticketleap.com/baffo

­­­Ticket Prices: Adults: $12; Members/Seniors: $10; Students: $8; Kids: $6 (12 years and under).

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by calling 860-486-8580, or online at bimp.ticketleap.com. A surcharge will be added to any purchases made online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ballard Institute on the day of the performance starting at 10 a.m. There will be open seating and no reservations. Visitors can park in the Storrs Center Garage located at 33 Royce Circle. For more information about these performances or if you require accommodation to attend this event, please contact Ballard Institute staff at 860-486-8580 or bimp@uconn.edu.