When Puppets Took Over Concordia

Just over a year ago, something worth remembering happened at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota – PUPPETS took over the campus.

Every type of puppet, from shadow puppets to giant puppets to naked puppets.

And they did it to celebrate a birthday.

Puppeteers of America is a non-profit founded in 1937 to advance the art of puppetry through performance and education, and when they decided to celebrate their 80 birthday here in the Twin Cities, they attracted some of the nation’s top talent, including puppeteers from Sesame Street to Disney, Hollywood to Broadway.

One notable guest was Phillip Huber, the nationally-recognized master puppeteer who’s contributed to major motion pictures like “Being John Malkovich” (1999) and “Oz the Great and Powerful.” (2013)

For Mr. Huber, who told us he was a shy child, puppetry has always provided an escape – a way for him to interact with others without being the center of attention himself.  And over time, his mastery of the craft has built his confidence to the point he feels he’s left behind his childhood inhibitions.

For many of the aspiring puppeteers in the audience, his personal journey was just one more reason to welcome the puppet 'invasion.'