Darin Johnson - founding CEO/Artistic Director of the American Theater of Puppetry Arts and a Tony Sarg historian and collector - gives an in-depth talk on Tony Sarg’s celebrated career as a creator, producer and marketer of transformative marionette theater in America. Considered to be the “Father of American Puppetry,” Sarg introduced high-quality, story-based marionette theater to millions of American families over two decades, as well as both inspired and trained a new generation of puppeteers in the United States. Johnson provides an overview of Sarg’s storied puppetry career, highlighting iconic American puppeteers inspired or trained by Sarg, and presents some of Sarg’s original marionettes and puppet theater ephemera.
This talk is part of the Nantucket Historical Association's Summer of Sarg Lecture Series and complements the Tony Sarg: Genius at Play exhibition at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Learn more about the exhibition open through 2024 at nha.org/whats-on/exhibitions/....
Darin Johnson is the founding CEO/Artistic Director of the American Theater for Puppetry Arts (ATFPA) - a new nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing puppetry in the United States by introducing the art form and vocation of puppetry to broader and more diverse individuals, audiences and communities Johnson has a wide range of experience with museums across the northeast as well as in theater and business. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University and an MA in Government Affairs and Issues Management from George Washington University. The NHA is excited to host Johnson’s lecture this summer and have the chance to spotlight his expertise and passion for puppetry and Sarg.