with Micah, Collections Manager at the Center for Puppetry Arts
28 May 20268 min read21m
TL;DR
Museums dedicated to puppets house some of the most iconic characters in entertainment history, requiring specialized conservation work—foam latex puppets need regular "botox" injections as they dry out, and collections managers must balance preservation with tough decisions about what's worth keeping. Conan explores the surreal experience of working alone at night around lifelike puppets with Chucky (holding a knife) stationed directly behind the collections manager.
Key Moments
Micah
“Yes, we have about 500 of the Jim Henson original Jim Henson puppets.”
Explaining the museum's collection when Conan asked if they have famous puppets he would know
Micah is the collections manager at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, where she oversees approximately 5,000 puppets including 500 original Jim Henson Muppets, characters from Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Mystery Science Theater 3000. Her role involves conservation, restoration, and preservation of these iconic puppets, from repairing foam latex that dries over time to fixing wigs and performing what she calls "puppet botox." She's also an avid Harry Potter fan fiction reader, particularly drawn to Hermione and Draco Malfoy romance stories.
Takeaways
1
Foam latex puppets deteriorate like human skin Dark Crystal and Labyrinth puppets are made from foam latex that dries out and shrinks over decades, requiring conservators to inject material back into them—a process Micah calls "puppet botox." This is a critical preservation challenge because the original materials simply aren't stable, making active intervention necessary to keep characters looking like themselves rather than withered versions.
2
Fan fiction reveals what audiences want from source material Hermione/Draco Malfoy fan fiction is wildly popular because readers want the "enemies to lovers" redemption arc that the original Harry Potter books don't provide for Draco's character. This shows how fan communities actively rewrite narratives to explore character development potential the original creators left on the table.
3
Museums must selectively reject puppet donations Not every donated puppet meets acquisition standards—Micah has to turn down donations from well-meaning puppeteers whose homemade pieces (paper plates with mouths cut in them) aren't museum-worthy. This creates an uncomfortable situation where collections managers balance being tactful with enforcing curatorial standards about what deserves permanent preservation.
4
Working alone with iconic puppets creates genuine paranoia
5
Puppet conservation is emotional labor comparable to mortuary work Micah describes her role as similar to being a mortician—ensuring beloved childhood characters look presentable and recognizable rather than damaged or grotesque. This reframing reveals how puppet restoration isn't just technical maintenance but emotional stewardship of cultural artifacts that carry deep personal meaning for audiences.