Henson Legends Converge in Atlanta: Center for Puppetry Arts Welcomes Iconic Performers and Puppet Builders
ATLANTA (March and April 2025) — The Center for Puppetry Arts is excited to announce the Affectionate Anarchy: Muppet Prank Culture panel, featuring Henson legends, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Fran Brill, Bonnie Erickson, Rollie Krewson and Frank Oz (joining virtually) on April 1. These special guests will share behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of the Jim Henson Company. This event is part of a larger celebration of The Jim Henson Company’s legacy, commencing with an author talk from Jim Henson Company Archivist Karen Falk on March 28, the Center’s 25th Anniversary String Fling benefit gala on March 29 and the Affectionate Anarchy: Creating with Jim Henson exhibition opening April 2.
About the Special Guests
Brill is an Emmy-winning puppeteer, famous for creating characters like Prairie Dawn and Zoe on Sesame Street. Erickson is a renowned puppet designer and performer, creating iconic characters like Miss Piggy and Animal. Falk is the Archives Director at The Jim Henson Company, preserving and highlighting Henson’s collection of puppets and materials. Emmy-winning puppeteer Goelz has brought to life beloved Muppets such as Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and Zoot. Seven-time Emmy Award winner Krewson, a renowned puppeteer and designer, played a key role in bringing beloved Muppet characters to life on The Muppet Show and Sesame Street. Oz is a four-time Emmy-winning legendary puppeteer, known for iconic characters like Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal and Yoda. Emmy-nominated puppeteer Whitmire is known for portraying Kermit the Frog and Ernie, continuing their legacy through puppetry and voice work.
Jim Henson’s Imagination Illustrated: Exploring the Archives of a Creative Mind with Karen Falk
March 28, 7 p.m.
Falk will explore iconic characters through visuals and sketches in her book, Jim Henson’s Imagination Illustrated while sharing insights from Henson’s personal “Red Book” journal and archival materials, accompanied by video clips showcasing his visionary career. Learn more at puppet.org/programs/author-talk-with-karen-falk/
25th Anniversary String Fling Benefit Gala
March 29
Brill, Erickson and Goelz will join the Center for a memorable night of creativity and community at the 25th String Fling benefit gala. Proceeds will support the Center’s mission to inspire and educate through puppetry. Learn more at puppet.org/string-fling/.
Affectionate Anarchy: Muppet Prank Culture Panel
April 1, 7-10 p.m.
The Henson takeover will culminate in an exciting evening with legendary figures from The Jim Henson Company, including Muppeteers Brill, Goelz, Steve Whitmire and Oz (joining virtually), alongside Henson puppet designers and builders Erickson and Krewson. They have been digging into their own personal archives and cooking up fun ways to tell tales of the day-to-day workings of the workshop — an environment lovingly described as Affectionate Anarchy — and the elaborate pranks they pulled on each other. VIP tickets include priority seating and an exclusive swag bag. Learn more at puppet.org/programs/affectionate-anarchy-prank-panel/.
Affectionate Anarchy: Creating with Jim Henson Special Exhibition
April 2-Oct. 26
This unique museum exhibition celebrates the artists, innovators, and creators who collaborated with Jim Henson during the first 25 years of The Jim Henson Company. Through the stories and contributions of figures like Oz, Erickson, Jerry Juhl, Don Sahlin, Caroll Spinney and many others, visitors will experience the creative process behind The Muppets and more. Learn more at puppet.org/programs/affectionate-anarchy/
70 Years of The Jim Henson Company Pop-Up Exhibit
April 2-Oct. 26
This year marks the 70th anniversary of The Jim Henson Company, and the Center is celebrating with a special pop-up exhibition highlighting the company’s enduring creativity and iconic brands with pieces from Farscape, Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Sid the Science Kidand more.
About the Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated solely to puppetry, offering live performances, interactive workshops and a world-class museum. Home to the Jim Henson Collection, featuring original Muppets, Fraggle Rock characters and Sesame Street icons, the Center provides a rare, behind-the-scenes look at beloved TV and film favorites. With over 4,000 puppets in their collection, the Center immerses visitors in diverse cultural traditions, making it a must-visit destination for families. It remains a key player in Atlanta’s vibrant arts scene.