Marionettes, hand puppets, and other theatrical figures, entire stages, and an extensive archive—the Dresden Puppet Theater Collection is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The permanent exhibition offers a dual glimpse behind the scenes: behind the scenes of the puppet theater, of course, but also behind the scenes of the collection itself, which seeks to preserve the history and magic of this ephemeral art form for future generations. Visitors of elementary school age and older are invited to explore all aspects of puppet theater. Six sections present the “Basics”: from various animation techniques and stage designs to the stories told on stage. Both traditional and modern forms of puppet theater are showcased, along with the people who have lived and breathed this unique art form. In addition to highlights of the collection—such as the marionettes created at the Weimar Bauhaus, the Sandman from children’s television, and the Hohnstein Kasper—the forefather of many modern Kasper figures—many objects are in the spotlight of an exhibition for the first time, telling the story of the diversity of a very special genre that has been delighting its audience for centuries. Every fall, the Puppet Theater Collection presents a new annual exhibition in which special
curatorial teams view the collection from their own perspective and present it in unconventional formats.