Executive Director Isabel Dawson Leaves After Three Years
The Puppet Co. announces that Isabel Dawson is stepping down from her position as Executive Director. During Dawson’s three years in leadership, the Puppet Co. has earned its first two Helen Hayes nominations in more than 10 years.
Dawson worked with playwright Aaron Randolph III this spring to mount the regional premiere of The Little Prince, which earned a Helen Hayes Recommendation. She also added Happy Theater to the Puppet Co.’s Tiny Tot series, a popular program for infants and toddlers’ first theatre experience. Dawson managed the company through transitions in artistic leadership and greenlit the formation of the Artistic Council in 2025. “Some of my favorite moments have been designing and building a puppet with rod and marionette elements, which can dribble a ball for a Troy Bolton puppetry skit,” Dawson reflected. She also built shadow puppets for puppet slam skits, and humanettes for the 2026 Production of The Little Prince.
Dawson inventoried more than a thousand puppets in the Puppet Co.’s collection, including archival and international puppets. She developed a new system for displaying and sharing historical information about these puppets. She created social media videos about the Puppet Co.’s historical puppetry collection, including early female Puppet Master Dr. Marjorie Batchelder McPharlin, Bil Baird, and the Chautauquateers. “I have learned so much about the wonderful art of puppetry, and will treasure my time spent at the Puppet Co.” Dawson states.
Board member Linda Berg-Cross said “We are grateful for the contributions Isabel has made to our theatre during her tenure. The systems she established will provide a foundation as we grow.”
Board Secretary Rose Talbot will be stepping in as the Interim Executive Director and spearheading the Company’s new $50,000 fundraising initiative. The company has secured a $10,000 matching grant as part of that initiative. The Puppet Co. is partnering with Ingrid & Mollie to remount the beloved Helen Hayes nominated Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure playing Oct. 3 through Nov. 3. The company’s 38th Annual Nutcracker opens Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 31.
