PUPPETEERS OF AMERICA 2019 NATIONAL PUPPETRY FESTIVAL

On July 15^th, 2019, Puppeteers of America, with 82 years of history, held its National Puppetry Festival at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. For puppetry lovers across the globe, the festival is an exciting time for them. The PofA was founded in 1937 and created many surprises on each festival. I can’t wait to leave this festival excited, inspired, and exhausted (always the sign of a good festival). This year’s festival has a wonderful line-up of live performances, films, workshops, special events and critical exchanges.

The analogy of people with birds and puppetry with wings as the festival theme was chosen very specifically. There are an estimated 10,000 species of birds in the world. They are found in the air, on the land, and in the sea. Each has their unique size, shape, color, call, feet, beak or bill. And the one thing they share? Wings! As an organization PofA has seen many changes historically, culturally and politically in the past 82 years. All “members” -- officially, unofficially, or audience -- are part of a community. This community has as much variety of colors and calls as there are among the birds. Members represent many races, ethnicities, languages, sexual orientation, gender expression and all abilities. And so, like birds, people have flocked together. Hoping everyone can spread their wings at the festival and find knowledge, inspiration, friendship and acceptance.