Dr. Jennifer Lale is a puppeteer, playwright, and educator originally from Cleveland, Ohio. Her journey into puppetry started with childhood curiosity and a passion for bringing inanimate objects to life. Guided by mentors who recognized her talent, she was determined to share the magic of puppetry with the world.
Dr. Lale’s passion extends beyond traditional perceptions of puppetry. She aims to break away from the notion that puppetry is exclusively for children, advocating for its appeal to older audiences. She believes that puppetry’s magic, with its ability to convey complex emotions and narratives, resonates deeply with adults, and offers a unique and nostalgic connection to the art form.
She is interested in exploring the intersection of puppets with challenging topics often considered difficult to discuss. In her Master’s thesis, she wrote about puppetry and its metaphorical connection to AIDS. The idea of a puppet, whose existence relies on being connected to wires, mirrors the experience of a patient in a hospital connected to life-sustaining equipment. Dr. Lale draws a poignant parallel, emphasizing the mechanical control over life shared by both puppets and individuals battling illness.
“When puppets die, there’s something very poignant about this loss because puppets don’t die. It’s interesting to see what that means because they can’t die, but they stop seeming alive,” she said. “Without that machine, they don’t continue to exist. Without me, the puppet doesn’t continue to exist.”
Dr. Jennifer Lale Performs “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” for her Introduction to Theatre class.
In addition to her puppeteering skills, Dr. Lale loves making her puppets from scratch. She’s interested in using outcast and ignored materials to shape new and interesting characters. According to her, storytelling can be as simple as incorporating everyday objects.
As an educator at the IU Theatre and Drama Department, Dr. Lale teaches both theatre majors and non-majors. She believes that students often discover their passion for theatre through active engagement. Her fulfillment comes from challenging and nurturing their excitement, which uncovers their hidden love for the theatrical arts.
Dr. Jennifer Lale shares more insights about her puppetry passion in this extended interview.
Dr. Lale is active in the puppetry community. She is a member of UNIMA-USA and the Puppeteers of America, where she served on the board of directors and as the treasurer.
In her professional experience, Dr. Lale spent a season with Madcap Productions Puppet Theatre. She toured eight states and captivated audiences at schools, libraries, and community centers. Later, she served as the Education and Outreach Associate at La Jolla Playhouse, located on the University of California campus, overseeing student matinees, public outreach, and the Young Performers’ Workshop.
Her recent creative work includes directing the chamber opera “The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret,” which won an honorable mention from the National Opera Association. Her unifying principle explored the opera’s theme of women subverting their passions for societal acceptability and highlighted the internal resistance these characters face against such subversion in a world where truth is elusive. She has also showcased her acting skills in traditional theater, playing Brooke in “Other Desert Cities” at the Springfield Contemporary Theatre.
