Diane Houk - Executive Director
Brian Horton - Newsletter Editor
Board Members
Ann Ragan - President
Kathy Vest - Treasurer
Pat Benedict - Joyce Kuhn - Lana White
George Lund
Joyce Stone
Sylvia Anderson
Founding Members
Diane Houk
Penny Fenning - Betty Lee House (1931-2006)- Anitra Steele
Robert Leroy Smith (1927-2001)
Advisors
Lisa Cianciolo
Bruce Davis - Nancy Krupa
John Rollins Jr. - John D. McCrae
Nancy Clark
The Puppetry Arts Institute, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, was founded in 2000 with the goal of "preserving and promoting puppetry through education and entertainment for all ages." We moved to our present location in the Englewood area of Independence a year later, establishing a facility that contains a museum, a puppet theater and workshop area. Englewood has been established as an Arts District by the City of Independence, so our Institute participates in the art walks on the third Friday of every month.
Workshops: Puppet making workshops are available for children, families, school groups, and adults, using materials from the Hazelle Rollins Puppet Factory, that was located in Kansas City, MO from 1932 to the mid-1980's. Birthday parties are reasonable and something unique for children ages 5 and up. See workshops page for more information.
Shows: Local, national, or international puppeteers perform monthly using marionettes, hand puppets, shadow puppets, rod puppets and other unique forms of puppetry. Several puppet shows are available for offsite performances. See performances page for more information.
Museum: The museum section of the Institute contains a room devoted to Hazelle Rollins puppets and her legacy, a Puppets Around the World room, and changing exhibits in the main area. See museum page for more information.
Services:A puppet research library and a gift shop are also available. We also restring and repair puppets. We are the official producers of the Sister Mary Annette puppets and sell or rent these puppets for theatre groups performing any of the "Nunsense" musicals.
Volunteer:
Our institute is mainly staffed by volunteers and we are always interested in offering opportunities for additional volunteers to help with puppet painting workshops, to cut and sew simple puppet costumes, or paint finger puppets that we give away to visitors. To find out more call: 816-833-9777.
Donate:
The Puppetry Arts Institute is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, receives some revenue from workshops and shows, but also depends on donations and grants. Other useful donations: paper towels, small inexpensive paper plates, paint brushes with natural bristles, toilet paper, craft sticks, Q-tips,needles and thread, cotton fabric (for costumes) solid colors or small prints are best, and of course puppets!
