OUR FOUNDERS: Kathryn and Ray Hawn
The Puppet Place, was established as a nonprofit organization in 1981. It had its origins in the dreams of a young girl named Kathryn. She loved puppets and at the age of twelve she began performing with her puppets to small private gatherings. Her hopes of performing to larger audiences would soon be realized when she started performing regularly for local Harrisburg Department stores under the performing name of the Puppet Lady. Years later Kathryn married Ray Hawn and he soon joined his wife as a stage manager, roustabout and all around helpmate. In 1979 Kathryn's aspirations of opening her own public theater were realized and the Puppet Place became a reality. The theater soon expanded and became a theater plus a puppet store. It was also at this time that Ray's role also expanded to become an agent, advisor, business manager and all around good guy. As members of the Puppeteers of America, the Hawn's traveled extensively throughout America and Europe gaining and sharing experiences with many of the craft's world class performers.
THE FAMILY TRADITION CONTINUES
David Vogel (the grandson of Kathryn and Ray) performs Puppet
Shows in South Central Pennsylvania. He is continuing the mission of
the Puppet Place to promote the traditional art and craft of
puppetry through his interactive shows.
Kathryn Vogel (the daughter of Kathryn and Ray) has been retailing
puppets since 1979 and has put her experience to work helping her
customers with all their puppetry needs.