Puppetry is arguably one of the earliest art forms known to man. It is found in almost every civilization. In the U.S. it is thought of as primarily an art for children but in many countries it is central to the culture of the nation. In Japan, the Bunraku puppet theatre is a major cultural force.
At Georgia Southern University puppetry has existed in an independent Puppet Theatre since the mid 1960's. Under the direction of founder Mary Mikell and her successor, Dr. Richard Johnson, the theatre has presented a wide range of performances ranging from MACBETH to the most recent marionette production of WINNIE THE POOH AT OWL'S BIRTHDAY PARTY .
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The Georgia Southern Puppet Theatre is currently housed off campus in the College Plaza Shopping center. It uses a flexible stage that can be used for Marionettes, Rod Puppets, Hand Puppets and Shadow Plays. It has moved from a building called "The Old Music Building" to the Hollis building to an old skating rink called the SkateRBowl (Renamed by the University the Performance Annex) to its current location. An important part of the theatre in all its manifestations except the first has been a mural (moved from place to place) designed by Robert West which shows most of the forms of puppetry mingled with a variety of characters from famous children's stories.
Section of Mural
The Georgia Southern Puppet Theatre presents one to three major performances per year in the theatre. It also tours to schools, nursing homes, and local festivals and promotions. Since the inception of the Georgia Southern University Youth Arts Festival held in the "Sweetheart Circle" each year in mid March, the Puppet Theatre has been a featured event both in performance and in teaching children to make puppets. Over the years, over four thousand puppets have been carried home by happy children.
