A Magical Evening: Richard Termine’s Vision of American Puppet Theater Unveiled
Last night, I had the privilege of attending the opening of “American Puppet Theater Today: The Photography of Richard Termine” at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry (BIMP) in Storrs, Connecticut. The exhibition, celebrating UConn’s Puppet Arts Program’s 60th anniversary, showcases over 130 breathtaking images that capture the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary puppet theater.
Walking through the exhibition, I was struck by Termine’s remarkable journey. A UConn Puppet Arts Program alumnus (Class of 1978), he transformed from a puppet designer for the Muppets to becoming one of the most influential photographers in performing arts. His career took flight in 1980 with the Jim Henson Company, where he began photographing behind the scenes while building puppets for various Muppet productions. Since 1988, he’s been the in-house photographer for Sesame Street, and his lens has captured performances for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous other prestigious publications.
The Museum’s director, John Bell, perfectly summarized Termine’s gift: “Richard brilliantly captures the vibrancy of the performances he photographs; even in static images, the puppets come to life.” This was evident in every photograph, from intimate theater moments to grand spectacles like the stunning Mirror Mirror puppets from New York’s Village Halloween Parade, created by Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles.
Richard Termine donates Sheri Lewis’s ‘Lambchop‘ puppet to the Ballard Institute.
The Ballard Institute itself is a testament to America’s rich puppetry heritage. As one of the nation’s hidden treasures, it houses over 4,500 puppets worldwide, along with an extensive archive of puppetry history. The exhibition’s opening, attended by Cheryl Henson (co-curator with Richard Termine), president of The Jim Henson Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s crucial role in advancing puppet arts since 1982. Their support of innovative contemporary puppet theater, with over 1,200 grants awarded, has helped shape the vibrant landscape of American puppetry that Termine so masterfully documents.
This exhibition, running through May 11, 2025, doesn’t just present photographs – it tells the story of American puppet theater’s evolution through Termine’s unique perspective, featuring works by legendary artists like Basil Twist, Julie Taymor, and many others. It’s a must-see celebration of an art form that continues to push boundaries and captivate audiences of all ages.
The exhibition is open Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ballard Institute, located at 1 Royce Circle, Storrs, CT.
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