The Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre

The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre was launched in 1990 with the first solo performance by puppeteer, Vít Hořejš, at Jan Hus Church on East 74th Street in New York City, the old Czech neighborhood. A senior member of the audience remarked that a puppet theater had once existed at Jan Hus when she was a child, but she was not sure what had happened to the marionettes. Curiosity led Horejs to the church office, and an administrator showed him to the attic, where in an old chest there was a huge set of puppets, some possibly as much as 180 years old. The company's first New York season, in 1990 showcased “Johannes Dokchtor Faust, a Petrifying Puppet Comedye” from a traditional Czechoslovakian puppet script. Since the debut of "Faust", many productions have been presented in New York City venues including La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, and also, in the U.S., in venues more than 30 states. The company has also performed around the world in Poland, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Pakistan.