Our History

1969 - Allan Stevens becomes director of the Smithsonian Puppet Theater.

1983 - The Puppet Co. is founded by Allan Steven and Christopher Piper. Our first show is the Magic Mirror, an original story.

1987 - MayField Piper joins the company.

1988 - The Nutcracker is first performed with the Arlington Symphony.

1994 - Our first guest artist performance is Applause Unlimited.

2000 - The Puppet Co. wins the Cherry Adler Award from the Maryland State Arts Council for excellence in children’s theater.

2004 - The current space opens in the renovated Arcade building. It is specifically designed for puppet theatre!

2006 - The Discovery Channel awards us the Excellence in the Arts and Humanities Community Award.

2009 - Our production of The Wizard of Oz receives a “Citation of Excellence” from the Union International de la Marionette – USA, the American wing of our international puppetry organization. This is the highest honor offered for puppetry in the United States.

2010 - The Puppet Co. wins the Cherry Adler Award from the Maryland State Arts Council for excellence in children’s theater, making it the second time.

2012 - Founder Allan Stevens won the Outstanding Artist Award from the Montgomery County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities.

2020 - Allan Stevens and Christopher and MayField Piper retire, passing the reins to Elizabeth Dapo as Artistic Director and Toni Goldberg as Executive Director.

2023 - Isabel Dawson succeeds Toni as Executive Director.