The Connecticut Guild of Puppetry’s mission is to provide a meeting place and forum where people with an interest and love of the art form may share knowledge, ideas, trends, and creative endeavors.
It is the intent of the Guild to encourage the raising of standards of the art of puppetry; to foster awareness in the general public of the magic, wonder, and power of the puppet; and to encourage the use of puppetry as an educational tool.
ANNUAL MEETING
June 13th, 2026
National Puppetry Conference Performances
3:30pm outside Blue Gene's Pub on the Eugene O'Neill Theater Campus. The Board will provide sandwich fixings and anyone attending is encouraged to bring a side or dessert to share.
Tickets to the Puppetry Performances Saturday Night go on sale to O’Neill Members on 5/18 and to the General Public on 5/26.
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
305 Great Neck Rd,
Waterford, CT 06385
Puppetry Festivals & Conferences
National Puppetry Conference
May 30 – June 14, 2026
Public Performances, June 12 & 13th
The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford hosts this world-renowned retreat for puppet artists. While the conference focuses on professional development, the final week in mid-June traditionally features public performances showcasing new works in development.Guild Annual Meeting and Picnic, June 13th!
SoNo Arts Festival & Puppet Parade
August 1 – 2, 2026
Located on Washington Street in Historic South Norwalk, this massive visual arts festival culminates in a giant Puppet Parade on Sunday, August 2nd at 1:00 PM. The parade is famous for its massive, human-powered puppets and vibrant community energy.
Museum Exhibitions & Ongoing Series
Becoming Modern Exhibition
Open now through October 2026
The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry in Storrs presents an exploration of American puppetry as a modern art form throughout the 20th century. Visitors can view iconic figures and rare artifacts from the museum's extensive permanent collection.Monthly Puppet Weekends
Second weekend of every month
Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk offers family-centered programming including original theater performances and interactive "behind-the-scenes" workshops designed for young children.
Performances
Badger Meets the Fairies
April 18, 2026 (11:00 AM & 2:00 PM)
The Ballard Institute Theater in Storrs presents this Spring Performance Series show by Margaret Moody Puppets. This classic storytelling performance is available for booking via TicketLeap.Animal Safari with Lucky Duck Puppets
May 17, 2026 (2:00 PM)
The East Lyme Community Center in Niantic features this energetic family show as part of the Discover Live Puppetry! series. Tickets range from $8 to $10 and are available at the door or online.Blues, Blues by Sova Theater
September 27, 2026 (2:00 PM)
Hosted by the East Lyme Puppetry Committee, this musical performance at the East Lyme Community Center combines live music, dance, and shadow puppetry. More details on the troupe can be found at Sova Theater.
Celebrate the Guild’s 50th Anniversary with this enamel pin. Designed by Christopher Grande, and limited to a run of just 50.
Soft Royal Blue t-shirt with a small white CGP Logo on the front left chest, and on the back a puppet stage version of the state of Connecticut, flanked by two puppeteers — Celebrating the Art of Puppetry.
Design by Guild member Bryan Langdeau
S/H Calculated at Checkout
100% Cotten, Youth Small → 2XL Available.
Puppeteers of America in partnership with UNIMA-USA, announces a new initiative: a Direct Relief Fund for Puppet Artists.
Many in our community have lost work doing what we love — performing, teaching, and sharing the art of puppetry in all its forms.
