We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meghann Henry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meghann below.

Meghann, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I love my career as a creative leader. Creating opportunities for artists to have sustainable jobs in the performing and visual arts is what drives me everyday, that coupled with our impact on our youngest community members. However, the pressure of fundraising and the volatility of where the next trend will go in schools and grants makes me often curious about the other ways I could apply my creative leadership skills.

Just a few weeks ago our studio space, where we build all of our puppets, flooded due to an issue with the fire pump in the building we rent. During moments like this, when resources are already tight, a major issue like a flood halts all production and puts a strain on everyone who has been working so hard to keep our projects on schedule. It also put a finer point on our need to fundraise to find a more adequate space…being a creative is so much more than doing the work you love and on the days when space issues, fundraising, and other important aspects of our work take a front seat…my mind starts to wander on what I could do that would require me to hold space for both creative and business needs simultaneously.

Should I have become a full time teacher, or what if I used my scenic design background to work on a large corporate interior design firm…I know…I will open up an ice cream shop. Of course, in the end I realize that all those jobs come with the same issues that are sparking my thoughts to do something else. Then I remember the people I collaborate with, and the cool experiences we create for kids with our puppets and I remember that this moment will pass…that what we do to make our world a more culturally rich place is worth it.

Meghann, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I lead Mesner Puppet Theater in Kansas City, MO. We create puppets for commercial clients like amusement parks, advertising agencies, and cultural institutions. All proceeds from our commercial puppetry supports our arts and social-emotional learning education program in schools and libraries. Both or commercial and community work assist our non-profit in achieving our mission of “inspiring play and cultivating connections through puppetry.”

My role at the company is that of producer, strategic leader, and developer of creative partnerships. I came to this world through my background in Theater for Young Audiences and Arts Education. I hold a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Central Florida and a BFA in performance from Emporia State University. I have held leadership positions and collaborated with arts organizations in Florida, Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado. My educational background and work history have always been sprinkled with puppetry, but I don’t consider myself a puppeteer or puppet builder (though I do dabble in puppeteering at times). Our puppets are designed and primarily performed by Mike Horner and a team of expert fabricators with specialties in fabrics, sculpture, paper craft, and woodworking.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

As a producer, often my work is intangible. It is HIGHLY creative, but you can never quite point to your contribution to an overall project as your role is to make an environment for other artists to thrive. You are a leader in the creative conversations ensuring the artistic vision is always at the forefront. There are days that I miss being an active maker or performer…but when I step back and see what my abilities in creative problem solving and community building can do mixed with my background in visual and performing arts I get jazzed about what I can support my team in achieving.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Following the retirement of our founder the company struggled to find their identity and to stabilize themselves financially. When I came to the organization we knew we had to pivot our the company would die. We re-examined how we were bringing in money, how staff time was used, and if we were truly achieving artistic and educational goals. When we did this assessment we discovered we needed a new program model. We cut our main stage season of shows and pivoted to doing all work in partnership with schools, libraries, arts organizations and building puppets for commercial clients. This move has reinvigorated our team and has provided us with financial stability. Our final step is to launch the company with a new name and new brand on November 16th of 2022…so stay tuned!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mesnerpuppets.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mesnerpuppets/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mesnerpuppets
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/71245071/admin/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MesnerPuppetTheater

Image Credits
Photos by Travis Young @Travislikesfilm