Loading...
Creator
Penny Jones & Co.
Call number
*T-Mss 2010-011
Physical description
.4 linear feet (1 box)
Preferred Citation

Penny Jones & Co. Puppets records, *T-Mss 2010-11. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Penny Jones & Co. Puppets was founded by Penny Jones (1935?-) in the early 1970s. The company is dedicated to young children's puppet theatre with a small repertoire of pieces for adults and older children. The collection consists primarily of printed material, such as clippings, programs, and flyers as well as a small amount of photographs.

Biographical/historical information

Penny Jones (1935-?) is a puppeteer and the founder of the New York City-based Penny Jones & Co. Puppets. Her career began at Antioch College during the 1950s. A misread job application led an employer to believe that Jones knew how to handle hand puppets and, as a result, Jones was hired by Suzari Marionettes in New York City. Upon graduating college, Jones continued working as a puppeteer, including a brief stint with the New York City Parks Department Marionettes. This led to an opportunity to work with Larry Berthelson (1933-1993), a master puppeteer.

Eventually, Jones terminated her business relationship with Berthelson and founded her own group in the 1970s called the Penny Jones & Co. Puppets. This company dedicates itself to puppet shows geared toward young children. The performances, which use both hand and rod puppets, are original operas and ballets that Jones has written. During them, children are encouraged to interact with the puppets which "sing" and "dance."

As of 2014, the company continues to perform at 155 Bank Street in the West Village.

Scope and arrangement

This small collection (1968-2011) primarily contains printed material, consisting of programs about the company, clippings from local newspapers advertising upcoming shows and reviews, and promotional flyers. There is a small amount of photographs from performances of the audience, Jones, and the puppet casts. Many of the photographs have identifying information about the particular performance or puppets used. There are also two reports, one of which is a final report from the company (dated 1978-1979) and the other a 1986 television report on puppets.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by format.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Unknown

Processing information

Compiled by Valerie Wingfield, 2014

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permision to publish, contact Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.