At the Center for Puppetry Arts in Midtown, there’s always something happening on one of the stages, in special events and workshops, and in the World of Puppetry Arts Museum. Visitors agree that the Center is one of the most interesting and entertaining — not to mention educational — sites among the cultural offerings of Atlanta. The Center’s website says it all: “Get ready to rethink everything you know about puppets and puppeteers.”

Presently, Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts has created special exhibit areas that feature themed puppet groupings. These temporary exhibits are part of Festive Features, which runs from Nov. 12 to Dec. 29, timed for the holiday season.

Of special interest to Jewish visitors, one group of puppets in the holiday installation is Robert Rogers’ Famous Chelm Players, created by renowned puppeteer Rogers. These puppets represent characters from Eastern European Jewish folklore, satirically called “the Wise Men of Chelm.” These simple folks are residents of a European shtetl (small Jewish town) known in Jewish folk tales as the “village of fools.” The puppets realistically represent a mix of everyday characters who are well-meaning, yet comically misguided, and who share “wisdom” about solving inane questions about everyday experiences. The puppets on display depict stereotypical Chelmites, in their daily garb, who are central to the fictitious humorous stories. Among the other vignettes in the installation are major character puppets from the “Emmet the Otter” and “Sam the Snowman” TV specials.

Puppetry, although ancient, is still universally used in storytelling. Taking myriad forms, it has a role in almost every country and reflects the faiths, practices, beliefs, even sense of humor, of ethnic groups around the world. The Center for Puppetry Arts maintains an extensive permanent collection of global puppetry in its large Worlds of Puppetry Arts Museum, with more than 4,000 puppets. Visitors can learn about unusual puppets that are much more diverse and surprising than the string, shadow, and rod puppets Americans commonly see. Many puppets are not used purely to entertain, but rather to transmit group traditions and tell epic stories, and puppets usually subtly reflect a society’s mores. Some cultures have their own famous puppet-makers who are honored crafts persons. The museum includes a gallery area that features the late, legendary Muppet master Jim Henson’s desk and working area, includes sets from the Muppet TV shows and movies, and lets visitors get a close look at lots of original Muppets.

The Center’s Digital Learning Department has an enjoyable way for teachers to engage their students, as schools enter the holiday season. It offers a virtual program about gingerbread around the world. This is a literacy-based program that’s fun. Contact the Center at (404) 873-3391 to find out more.

A visit to Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts is a family-friendly experience, especially during the end- of- year holiday season when parents are looking for an outing that appeals to adults and children of all ages. Everyone will enjoy one of the Center’s most popular shows, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” running from Nov. 13 to Dec. 29, 2024. This adaptation of the 1964 TV special presents live puppetry performances that tell the story of Rudolph, Santa, Yukon Cornelius, and the Abominable Snowman.

One may purchase admission to only the museum; however, there’s a bargain all-inclusive holiday combo ticket which includes admission to the puppet show, museum, Festive Features exhibits, and the hands-on Create-A-Puppet Workshop in which children can make a movable puppet to take home. Get all these events for the single price of the Rudolph puppet show.