Heather Henson

Heather Henson is a contemporary puppet artist whose work promotes harmony and healing for the planet through artistic spectacle and discussion. Backed by a degree from Rhode Island School of Design and studies at CalArts in 2000, Heather created a multi-platform production company entitled IBEX Puppetry to honor the creativity in herself and others. She is the youngest daughter of Muppets creators Jane and Jim Henson.

Heather is best known for her Environmental Spectacles: original performances designed to provide a transformative experience for the audience through the use of non-traditional storytelling. Heather blends the disciplines of puppetry, dance, and kiting with evocative sound and light effects to create immersive, interactive presentations that engage all of the senses and awaken the soul.

For the past several years, Heather’s story telling has been heavily impacted by her sense of kinship with the endangered species of the world, particularly Whooping Cranes. First moved by the plight of the Florida wetlands and their inhabitants, she designed the UNIMA Citation of Excellence-winning stage show Panther and Crane. More recently, inspired by the healing partnerships formed between cranes and teams of humans at The International Crane Foundation, she has brought animals and elemental forces of our planet out to frolic and fly among human audiences with her Endangered Species Parade, Celebration of Flight, and FLIGHT: A Crane's Story.

Heather Henson's environmental spectacles advocate for harmonious relationships between all the species and planetary forces of our beautiful Earth.

In addition to her original environmentally-themed works, IBEX Puppetry also produces Heather’s Sing-Along events and nurtures the work of independent puppet artists creating works for stage, screen, and gallery through direct production efforts in its home state of Florida, the internationally-traveling Handmade Puppet Dreams film series, and a network of grants and support known as the Puppet Slam Network.

Heather is a Trustee for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and sits on the Board of Directors for The International Crane Foundation and The Jim Henson Legacy.