ABOUT THE PUPPETRY JOURNAL
Puppetry Journal: Recording History One Issue at a Time |
 | Through full color articles, stunning images, insightful reviews, and more written by industry professionals, historians, and puppet enthusiasts, the Puppetry Journal celebrates contemporary puppetry while exploring the legacy of this historic and fascinating art. Established in 1949 by puppeteer Geroge Latshaw, the Puppetry Journal is the official magazine of Puppeteers of America, Inc. Published four times a year in Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, issues are available in print and digital form. Subscribe Puppetry Journal is available exclusively to members of Puppeteers of America. Join today for digital access to previous issues and to have future print issues delivered directly to you. |
Advertise in Puppetry Journal |
 | Want to reach a captive audience of dedicated puppetry professionals and enthusiasts? There is no better place to promote your event, organization, or product than in Puppetry Journal. Plus, your advertising dollars help support the Journal and Puppeteers of America. |
Pitch a Story |
| Have an idea for an article? We want to hear it! Everyone is welcome to pitch a story idea, you do not need to be a member (although why not join?!). Email ideas for Articles, News, Images, and items of interest to be included in the Puppetry Journal to journal@puppeteers.org. Guidelines:
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Access Previous Puppetry Journals and Research |
| Members who collect Puppetry Journal may find the complete index to Puppetry Journals helpful when searching for specific articles in their collection. If searching for articles or issues not in your collection, you have options:
Not finding what you need? We can help! Some issues printed after 1999 may be available for purchase, or members may request that earlier articles be scanned and produced as PDF files then sent electronically. Route your inquiries through our contact page. |
Puppetry Journal Team |
| Like Puppeteers of America, Puppetry Journal is mostly made up of volunteers with a small, part time staff who work tirelessly to create these beautiful, 40ish page full-color issues filled with compelling stories about all things puppetry. Contributors are from all over the United States and Canada, and occasionally beyond. Please direct inquiries about print copies and previous Puppetry Journals to office@puppeteers.org. Editor: Jamie Donmoyer, journal@puppeteers.org |
A Brief History of Puppetry Journal |
| (Read full article in Spring 2025 issue) Volume one of Puppetry Journal dates from July 1949, but its legacy goes back to 1930. In 1930 Paul McPharlin published the first of his annual Puppetry Yearbooks. The Puppetry Yearbook later became an official publication of the Puppeteers of America. Paul McPharlin (1903-1948) was a puppeteer, author, scholar, and founder of Puppeteers of America. When the organization was launched in 1937 Paul McPharlin became the editor of mimeographed newsletter called “The Grapevine Telegraph.” Each issue was a compilation of news and opinion with a sprinkling of “how-to” articles. Marjorie Batchelder McPharlin became the second editor the Grapevine. Original copies of both the Yearbooks and the Grapevine Telegraph newsletters are quite rare, but Luman Coad, of Charlemagne Press in British Columbia, has carefully scanned all the McPharlin Yearbooks and all issues of the Grapevine Telegraph, and has now made CDs available through the Puppeteers of America’s Puppetry Store. In 1948 George Latshaw, a young puppeteer from Ohio, had a new vision for the Grapevine. In 1949 George Latshaw was the founding editor of Puppetry Journal. At that time it was a small format magazine (5.5 ” wide by 8.5″ high), with a centerfold of black and white photographs. It was issued six times a year. (That format would be continued until 1982.) Meanwhile, after about a year as editor, George Latshaw had to devote his energy to his career as a puppeteer and the editor’s job was taken over by Vivian Michael, also of Ohio. She would continue in that role (and also operate the mail-order Puppetry Store) until 1967. For about a year the next editor was Herman London, until he was replaced by Don Avery of Missouri. Mr. Avery continued until 1982. In that year the Journal changed to its current 8.5″ by 11″ format, and the editor for one year was Maureen Casey. In 1982 Puppetry Journal was changed to its current 8.5” by 11” format and began publishing four times a year instead of six issues a year. The editor at the time was Maureen Casey. In 1983, the same George Latshaw who had established the magazine some 35 years earlier, resumed the role of editor, assisted by his wife, Pat Latshaw. They would continue together until 1999, until they were succeeded by Paul Eide. View covers and content dating back to 1949 in the complete index to Puppetry Journals. |
Puppeteers of America | 612-821-2382 |
