A research journal dedicated to puppetry, masks, and related arts

Puppetry International Research (PIR)  is a global, interdisciplinary, academic journal dedicated to puppetry and the allied areas of masks, performing objects, and material performance. Its mission is to foster scholarship on puppet theatre and related arts as practiced in the past and present around the world and deepen historical and theoretical understanding of the field. Its empirical, analytical, and theoretical peer-reviewed articles, as well as critical book, performance, and exhibition reviews, and field reports aim to strengthen puppetry studies as an academic discipline. The journal welcomes submissions from scholars and reflective practitioners from all related disciplines. A project of UNIMA-USA, growing out of the peer-review section of its acclaimed magazine, Puppetry International, PIR publishes twice a year on the CUNY Academic Commons.

Founding Editor: Claudia Orenstein, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, CUNY, New York

ISSN: 2994-7944

Photo: performances & workshops at the 28th Annual NATIONAL PUPPETRY CONFERENCE; photographed: June 9-17, 2018 at Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Waterford, CT. Photograph by Richard Termine ¬© 2018 RICHARD TERMINE.
Fig. 7. Duke Orsino (left) and Lady Olivia (right). (Image: from “Program for the Investiture of Magosaburō XIII” 2021).
Fig. 7. Duke Orsino (left) and Lady Olivia (right). (Image: from “Program for the Investiture of Magosaburō XIII” 2021).
In the land where time is suspended, the grandfathers who fought in the war share a train ride while an origami crane chases them down with a message. The grandfathers are played by the grandchildren, Lott and Kikuchi, wearing masks. From left to right: Spencer Lott, Maiko Kikuchi. (Photo: Maria Baranova)
Fig. 4. Isshi IV rehearses the Princess Yaegaki role. The precious magic helmet seems to float above. (Photo: Courtesy of Isshiza).
Fig. 4. Isshi IV rehearses the Princess Yaegaki role. The precious magic helmet seems to float above. (Photo: Courtesy of Isshiza).
Visits to the home of practicing dalangs allowed us to see grandparent and grandson co-demonstrate. (Photo: Kathy Foley)
Figure 4. Ni Sendy, winner of female dalang competition. (Photo: Kathy Foley)
Unima-USA

a project of UNIMA-USA

This project is supported in part by an award from
the National Endowment for the Arts.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL FOR PAPERS FROM OUR SISTER PUBLICATION, PUPPETRY INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

AI, robots, avatars and digital technologies are the topics of the moment from films and advertising, to how we write and engage with knowledge, to how and who is making art, especially that which collaborates with the very technologies that seem to be making humans obsolete. And yet humans alongside puppets, AI, robots and other technologies each have roles to play in the making and receiving of stories and performance. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, this issue looks at myriad ways past and present that technology has been integral to and forging new pathways in puppetry. Possible questions include but are not limited to: 

● How are artists integrating AI in production research and development? 

● How are digital technologies shaping the aesthetics and techniques of contemporary puppet stages? 

● What ethical questions are raised? 

● What are the relationships among human, robot and hybrid performing bodies? 

● Are there emerging interdisciplinary approaches in puppetry and object performance in contexts such as religion, education, political activism, and therapy in which new technology is playing an integral role(s)? 

We also invite articles that explore a wide range of questions on the issue theme, with the following as a few potential starting points: 

● Artist reflections or profiles. 

● Analyses of productions by artists or teams that incorporate AI, robots, digital technologies and avatars. 

Feature articles should be no more than 2,000 words, artist reflections are typically 1,000 words, book reviews 500 words, performance reviews 1,000. We also welcome shorter pieces. Please send proposals, query emails, and articles to PI Editor, Alissa Mello ([email protected]). 

● Word documents are strongly preferred. 

● See below for full submission guidelines. 

Deadline for editor-reviewed submissions: August 1, 2025. 

Deadline for peer-reviewed submissions (see below): June 1, 2025. 

The theme for PI #59 will focus on Utopias and worldmaking. Articles on this subject may also be submitted at any time. 

Submissions for Peer Review 

We aim to publish at least one double-blind peer-reviewed article per issue. These do not need to be on the issue theme. The peer-reviewed section of Puppetry International features articles that explore how the puppet functions dramaturgically, investigate larger philosophical questions in response to puppets 

and performing objects, and/or trace the integral place of puppetry in world performance culture. We especially welcome work by scholars pioneering new discoveries based on archival, field, or practice-based research and/or who generate fresh perspectives on how humans interact with objects in performance. Submissions for peer review should follow the same length (2,000 words, including notes and bibliography) and style restrictions (MLA) as all other articles, and should demonstrate scholarly rigor and original research while remaining accessible to a broad readership. Longer versions of these articles can be published on our website. 

Email submissions for peer review to Peer-Review Editor Dassia N. Posner ([email protected]) AND to PI Editor Alissa Mello ([email protected]). To facilitate the review process, please send Word rather than PDF documents. See below for submission and formatting guidelines. 

Deadline for peer-reviewed submissions for PI#58: June 1, 2025. 

Book and Performance Reviews 

We also seek BOOK reviews (500 words max.) and PERFORMANCE reviews (1,000 words max). Email performance reviews to editor Alissa Mello ([email protected]) 

and book reviews to John Bell ([email protected]). 

● Word documents are strongly preferred. 

● See below for full submission guidelines. 

Deadline for book and performance review submissions: August 1, 2025. 

Submission Guidelines for All Articles– PLEASE READ! 

● Subject line on email: PI 55, author’s last name, key word(s) from title (e.g. PI 55Bell interviewPSchumann). 

● NO FORMATTING (no columns, embedded images, exotic fonts, different sizes of text, etc.), please, though, of course, use italics where required. 

● High-resolution images (300+ dpi at size to be printed, jpegs preferred) should be emailed to the relevant editor(s) as separate files (i.e. not embedded in articles) with permissions information and captions for each image in a separate Word file. 

● Obtaining photos and permission to use them is the responsibility of the author. 

● MLA style for all submissions that contain citations. 

● Please note: While we generally publish new, original writing, we occasionally accept translations of previously published articles if they have not yet appeared in English.