How a local group is bringing new energy (and joy) to the arts scene

Jon Morgan, founder of the Central Michigan Area Puppetry Club, will be the first to tell you that being in front of a crowd isn’t exactly his idea of a fun time.

“I’m not inclined to speak in front of a group,” he says with a chuckle. “There’s been a couple times the last few years where I’ve gotten up and spoken in front of the crowd … And I hated it.”

But Morgan also says operating a puppet as a stand-in in front of crowds feels far less nerve-wracking.

“There is kind of a safety margin in that because you know, you can say whatever you want when you’re performing—well, almost anything you want,” he adds. 

“There’s a detachment from it, you know? When I’m performing with a puppet, I can behave in a way that’s contrary to how I would behave. I’m 50 years old, you know, but the puppet could be younger; it could be sassier. It could have a lot of different personality traits that I definitely do not carry, but then that’s the performance.”

Morgan says that his journey into the world of puppetry started in 2021 as he was looking for a way to cope with a devastating loss.

“My oldest son passed away because of brain cancer,” he shares, adding that his son was just 18 years old. “I was grieving our loss. I needed something that was creative.” 

“I was looking for that hobby that was, I guess, fresh but attainable, and my family got me a gift card for Amazon for Father’s Day that year. And, you know, I thought, ‘Well, I could get a Bluetooth speaker, I could get like a messenger bag,’ but I have those things, and that’s where I thought, ‘Well, maybe I’ll get a puppet.’”

Time passed, and Morgan says he began experimenting with recording and editing puppet videos for YouTube … but an aspect of the performance was missing.

“I was enjoying it,” he says. “But I found that I really missed the chance to perform with other people.” 

“I needed a Burt to my Ernie,” he adds with a laugh. “So I decided to start a group for puppeteers.”

Tonya Huber is one of the Central Michigan Area Puppetry Club’s members. She says her love of puppetry started at a young age.

“I have loved puppets and the Muppets since I was young: I was raised on the street–Sesame Street, that is,” she says. “Jon asked me this summer if I would perform with him, and I happily agreed.” 

“I am an introvert,” she adds. “And my puppets help give me a voice. It has also led me to amazing and talented people that I am proud to do shows with!” 

Huber says she believes that each performance is the opportunity to connect with an audience in a unique way.

“It allows them to slow down and use their imaginations,” she says. “I find it so interesting that you don’t have to be a ventriloquist to get people to interact with the puppets. You can also get people to say the craziest things when they are talking to puppets. The very best thing to me is when you connect with someone and make them smile or brighten their day.”

For Morgan, performing has also become a way to celebrate his late son.

“it really does, like, honor him,” he says. “Because I think, any video we do, I think he really would have found them funny … He would have supported me in it, you know?”

As the group approaches upcoming performances this holiday season, they are hopeful that others will be inspired by the shows as well.

“I hope that the audience truly enjoys the performance,” Huber says. “That they laugh and genuinely have a good time. It would be amazing if our performance sparked the love for puppetry in some of our audience members, and inspired them into being the next generation of Puppeteers (regardless of age).”

“I think what’s great about the puppetry community, and I think it’s true for us, is that you don’t have to be a professional or an expert to get involved,” Morgan adds. “I’m still learning. We’re all still learning.” 

“So, anyone who’s interested is welcome to join … as long as they’re open-minded, they’re enthusiastic.”

“I think that puppets need to represent the better parts of people or of life,” Morgan continues, referencing what he hopes audiences will take away from the group’s performances. “I just think if someone’s watching a puppet show or puppet video, they should feel good about it. I think when someone sees the positive [in a puppet show], they’re surprised and happy.”

“I want something that I would watch,” he concludes. “And I want something that I would want my son to watch, something that’s positive.” 

Learn more about Central Michigan Area Puppetry Club, as well as information on upcoming performances, by visiting their Facebook page.