Reflections from our current director Veronica Barron and our founder Mary Churchill on our 50th anniversary:

Greetings, friends!

On Sunday, June 2, we officially turned 50, and I came across a letter that touched me, written by Puppet Showplace Theater's founder Mary Churchill. Writing in 1990, Mary wondered about the future of the theater:

"[If we close], we haven't even failed," Mary wrote. "The theater will have existed for twenty years. How many other people have had the opportunity to set up and run a great place like this, that some will remember long after we are dead?"

I never knew Mary. She passed away in 1997, too soon, and was celebrated and mourned by many. But I can feel something about her in her words — boldness, humor, intelligence, empathy, and heart. The same things I feel in the theater itself.

Forget 20 years — Mary couldn't have known that Puppet Showplace would be here and thriving 50 (50!) years later, cherished now by multiple generations, and going strong in the same Station Street location she picked out all those years ago. Just over 20,000 people experienced puppetry with us last year! As in 1974, we're still a supportive haven for artists; still a welcoming home for audiences.

I think, though, that she knew that she had managed to open the doors to something special. It’s a place for puppet shows, yes — and also a place that has a larger life in it; has something that people love and want and need.

I feel lucky to have been touched by the specialness of Puppet Showplace; its magic worked on me. And what an honor to take a turn stewarding this place — which, like all special places, is so much more than simply a physical place. It’s also about the people — artists & audiences; children & adults; storytellers & story-listeners one and all — and what this place makes possible in each of us.

How many other people have the opportunity to be part of a great place like this…that some will remember long after we are gone?

Thank you, dear community, for being part of this place.

Yours,
Veronica

—

Veronica Barron
Executive Artistic Director
veronica@puppetshowplace.org
617-731-6400

P.S. If you’re able, please consider making a monetary gift before June 30th. Your sustaining gifts make it possible for Puppet Showplace to thrive for years to come.

If you’d like to make a 50th anniversary gift in someone's honor, or talk about where your gift can make the biggest impact, please reach out — I’d love to chat.

P.P.S. This Saturday is our 50th anniversary kickoff: an open house, three performances, a reception — and a chance to be in the space together. I'd love to see you there.