The Henson International Festival of Puppet Theater

From 1992 to 2000, the Henson Foundation produced a major festival in New York City showcasing the best contemporary puppet theater in the world, introducing this exciting art form to New York theater-going audiences and inspiring a new generation of artists to enter the field.  Starting as “Puppetry at the Public,” filling all five stages of the Public Theater, the biennial festival went on to present 136 productions from 31 countries on 24 stages over five festivals. The New York Times hailed the Festival as “more imaginative than Broadway, and greater in its impact than the movies.”

Click on a festival poster to see the complete listing of shows in each festival.

1992

Under the leadership of Executive Producer Cheryl Henson, Producing Director Leslee Asch and Associate Producer Anne Dennin, the festivals introduced exciting contemporary puppet theater to New York as never before. Learn more about these festivals including panel discussions and exhibitions by visiting our archived Henson International Festival of Puppet Theater website.

Cheryl Henson, Leslee Asch, Allelu Kurten, and Anne Dennin

For a more immersive experience, explore over 70 performances from the 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998 Henson International Festivals at the Jim Henson Foundation Collection of Puppet Theater at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT). This collection offers a treasure trove for students, researchers, and enthusiasts alike. For more information see Leslee Asch’s book “Out of the Shadows: The Henson Festivals and their Impact of Contemporary Theater.”

While the last Henson International Festival of Puppet Theater was in 2000, the spirit of puppetry lives on at many of the festival’s original partner venues across New York City as they continue to present exciting puppet theater. Starting in 2004, the Foundation added Presenter’s Grants to support these and other New York City Theaters when they present Henson Foundation granted productions and works of international acclaim on par with work chosen for the original festivals.  Discover more about programs like The LaMama Puppet Festival, Puppetopia at HERE, The New York International Fringe Festival, and The Chicago International Festival of Puppet Theater on Puppet Happenings.

Out of the Shadows: The Henson Festivals and Their Impact on Contemporary Puppet Theater

By Leslee Asch
Foreword by Cheryl Henson

Book Available for Purchase Here

Between 1992 and 2000, The Jim Henson Foundation presented five International Festivals of Puppet Theater in New York City, and developed a national touring program. The festivals presented 136 different productions from 31 countries in 24 theaters throughout New York City. Over 120,000 people attended New York performances; nearly 400,000 saw exhibitions; 100,000 more attended Festival on Tour performances; and millions of people read about the festivals.

Out of the Shadows examines the festivals and their continued legacy, including a look at the contemporary puppet theater landscape. This year, 2020, is the 20th Anniversary of the last Henson Festival and the 30th Anniversary of Jim Henson’s death. It is time to reflect back.