Puppeteers of America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1937 which provides information, encourages performances, and builds a community of people who love puppet theatre. Anyone can be a member of Puppeteers of America. Share the enchantment of puppetry with professional and amateur puppeteers, puppet builders, teachers, librarians, therapists, youth leaders, and hobbyists who are enthusiastic about puppetry. If you have any questions about membership please feel free to contact our membership office:

Fred Thompson
membership[at]puppeteers.org
1-888-568-6235

~click here to JOIN Puppeteers of America or to RENEW your membership~

PUBLICATIONS

• The Puppetry Journal
  • The magazine of Puppeteers of America apears four times a year. Each issue contains photographs and articles covering all aspects of puppet theater. A full-color photo Gallery features the work of PofA members. Entertaining and newsworthy articles about puppeteers, puppet theatres, exhibitions, touring companies, technical tips, new books, films, television, and puppet festivals, help to keep the membership informed.
    
    
• Playboard
  • The in-house newsletter of the Puppeteers of America is published three times a year and contains organizational news, information on puppet festivals, Guild happenings, and technical advice.
    
    
• Membership Directory
  • The Membership Directory and Handbook provides an historical perspective on the Puppeteers of America organization and outlines the many services available to its members. Several list include officer and members’ contact information, Guild information and Consultant contact information. Puppet Places is a compilation of puppet theaters around the country.
    

RESOURCES

• Audiovisual Library
  • Established in 1979, the library is a resource center and archive for the recorded history of puppets. A number of these video recordings are now available in DVD format and can be borrowed through the Puppetry Store.
    
    
• The Puppetry Store stocks a variety of books, videos and instructional materials of interest to the puppet enthusiast.
  
• DVD's featuring a variety of performers and techniques are available through the Puppetry Store.
  
  
• Puppetry Consultants
  • Over 30 working puppeteers and experts in different aspects of the art are available to offer assistance to members.
    

PUPPETRY FESTIVALS

• National & Regional Puppetry Festivals
  • The National Festivals, sponsored by the Puppeteers of America, are intensive, week-long conferences held every other year in a different region of the country.
    
    
  • Regional Festivals conducted in alternate years are usually hosted by local Guilds and are of shorter duration. There may be several regional festivals happening around the country in any given year.
    
    
  • Puppet theatre productions of many styles are performed by award winning artists and newly discovered talent. Late evening events provide a venue for anyone to show brief performance pieces. All are welcome.
    
    
  • Festivals typically feature workshops on all aspects of puppetry, exhibits of contemporary and historic puppets, and a puppetry store.
    
    
  • The highlight for many puppeteers is the opportunity to reunite with old friends, make new friends and network.
    
    
  • Members of the Puppeteers of America enjoy a discounted registration to all puppetry festivals.

SCHOLARSHIPS & ENDOWMENT GRANTS

• Scholarships
  • The Puppeteers of America offers two scholarships that cover registration at National Puppetry Festivals to assist those members who might otherwise not be able to attend.
    
    
  • The Emma Louise Warfield Memorial Fund provides assistance to adult members.
    
    
  • The Mike & Frances Oznowicz Youth Scholarship was created to help our younger members to attend a festival.
    
    
• The Rufus Rose Endowment for New Works
  • The fund was established in 1975 to honor Rufus Rose and is available to all members. Members are eligible to apply for small project grants. Awards range from $100 - $1,000 and are made every two years at the National Festival.

INSURANCE

• Liability Insurance
  • Very often performers are required to carry liability insurance. Members may purchase a million dollars of liability coverage at a very nominal annual cost through the Puppeteers of America. This service is only for members of Puppeteers of America.