Puppetry Arts Institute
11025 E. Winner Rd.
Independence, MO 64052
Tue.-Sat., 10:00-5:00
816.833.9777
A great outing for all ages, the Puppetry Arts Institute has a wide array of activities for your family, including performances, a museum, workshops and even birthday parties.
The story of Hazelle Rollins, the woman behind Kansas City Puppetry, is truly fascinating and is relived in the museum. Hazelle had the largest puppet factory in the world and hoped to one day have a puppet museum in Kansas City. Because she did not receive much support in that venture, her puppets were given away to places like the Smithsonian, University of Kansas and the Jackson County Historical Society. This year, the institute, celebrating its 10th anniversary, is excited to be receiving many of those puppets back. As Diane Houk, a founding member and president of the board, says, “The puppets are coming home.”
Children reap the benefit of the leftover inventory and molds from Hazelle’s factory. Choosing from the 40 or so different puppet heads and using paints, kids can decorate these pieces of Kansas City history. After decorating, the children then wear the puppet heads and don costumes to perform a puppet show on the professional stage. Youngsters return time and time again just for this experience.
As it states, Puppetry Arts Institute’s mission is to preserve and promote puppetry through education and entertainment for all ages - which it certainly seems to be doing.
With new performances each month, it is an ever changing adventure you need to check out. October’s performance is “A Halloween Marionette Musical.” Show times are 11:00 and 2:00, and the cost is $5.
Because this is a popular destination for schools and other large groups, it is best to call ahead.
Robin Gedman lives in Prairie Village and enjoys taking her children on adventures all over Kansas City.