Puppet Theater
This puppet theatre is a delightful reproduction of a Dutch Puppet Theatre. In The Netherlands, these stages and their puppeteers travel from village to village entertaining Dutch children and their families. The traditional puppets are Jan Klassen, Kees, Katrijn and often a policeman and/or a magician. The plays The Invisible Jan Klassen and Jan Klassen and the Stolen Piggy Bank have been translated to English and performed in Pella’s puppet theatre.
The Poppenkast , translated as “doll cabinet”, was painted by Sallie De Reus, a local artist known throughout the United States for her Hindeloopen style of painting. This method of painting originated in the tiny seacoast village of Hindeloopen in the 17th century. Albert Rouw, a local cabinet-maker handcrafted the delightful stage.
Look for the three ships painted in the top panel depict the first three ships which transported the Dutch immigrants to America. The lions, deer and birds in the lower panels are placed to further delight the children.
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Company of West Liberty, Iowa coordinated our first performance for the community children on July 4, 2002. Since then Central College students have presented plays for local children as part of their volunteer commitment and or course requirements.
The Puppet Theatre is displayed on the 2nd floor of the Vermeer Mill / Interpretive Center and accessible by stairs or elevator.
