The Discovery Theater is located in the S. Dillon Ripley Center on the National Mall. The physical address is 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW. When entering the Ripley Center, take the stairs or elevator to the 3rd sublevel and follow signs to Discovery Theater.

The Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater has developed a schedule of family-friendly programs that will inspire the imagination of all who participate.

Henson Open Cinema
Every Saturdays from Aug. 2 through Sept. 6,
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stop by the Discovery Theater for a selection of shows featuring highlights from Jim Henson's work and a behind the scenes glimpse at the making of the magic.

Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986)
Originally broadcast on CBS in 1986, this special finds all of the Muppets gathering for a banquet to honor their leader Kermit the Frog on his 30th year in show business.  Filled with clips from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, several feature films and rare early footage, it also includes a special cameo by Muppet creator Jim Henson.

Sesame Street: 20 And Still Counting (1989)
IIntroduced by Jim Henson and hosted by Bill Cosby, this program, produced to mark the milestone twentieth year of "Sesame Street," includes memorable moments, appearances by Placido Domingo, Sesame Street's cast of humans and Muppets, and the show's creator Joan Ganz Cooney.

Down at Fraggle Rock: Behind the Scenes (1987)
Jim Henson hosts this look behind the scenes at "Fraggle Rock." Featuring appearances by the performers and creative team, this show explores the characters, music and technical wizardry that made this classic Henson production possible.

"Reel” Live Puppets!
Meet the Museum: International Gallery
September 18 and 19, showings at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m.

IIn this program—geared towards children ages 2 through 8—meet Rags, the world's cutest puppy marionette, and learn how puppets “come alive” in person and on screen in an interactive show about imagination and the “reel” world. Participants will then hop over to the International Gallery to see “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World.” 

Heather Henson’s Handmade Puppet Dreams for Kids
Friday, Oct. 3, showings: 10:15 and 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4, showing at 1:30 p.m

Join Jim Henson’s talented and visionary daughter Heather as she introduces a collection of puppet films suitable for kids. Handmade Puppet Dreams showcases a new generation of puppeteers using film to bring their artistry to younger generation.

Finger Puppets Everywhere
Laura Heit
Live action spots featuring hand made finger-puppets through out the entirety of the program.

Hold Me Now
Damien Eckhardt-Jacobi and Vincent Bova
The debut single off The Polyphonic Spree's album is an inspirational song for troubled times. Glove and Boots won a challenge for independent filmmakers to create a video that would ultimately represent the song.

Dudley and The Toykeeper’s Chest
Patrick Algermissen
Dudley the lamb is the only toy ever created by the world’s finest toy mender. Dudley’s nemesis, the wooden wolf Silas, has been terrorizing the store where they live. When Silas turns his teeth toward Dudley’s creator, the lamb must defend his home.

Sinkin’ Soon
Ace Norton
Norah Jones and company get even more musically adventurous, bending the second-line rhythms of the Crescent City-flavored Sinkin Soon. 

Piano Mouths
Jeanne Stern
The title says it all!  A lighthearted musical interlude from the artist who brought you Les Malaventures de Zut-Alors.

The Amazing, Mysterious, and True Story of Mary Anning and her Monsters
Laura Heit
When most children were afraid of monsters Mary sought them put. She had an eye for the unexplainable and in the end her discoveries would change more than she bargained for.

Graveyard Jamboree with Mysterious MoseDirected by Seamus Walsh & Mark Caballero
Inspired by an old record by Harry Reser and his Radio All-Star Novelty Orchestra.  Three techniques were used in this film including, live action puppetry, silhouette animation and stop motion animation.

The Saturday, Oct. 4 1:30 p.m. showing will be followed by the special family program “Sweatshirt Sheep”
A one-hour interactive puppet making activity led by master puppeteer John Kennedy. Take home a puppet you make yourself—just like the one featured in Kennedy’s short film The Sure Sheep Book signing, exhibit visit and videos of John’s web workshops make this day super special!

 An additional showing on Saturday, Oct. 4 at noon will be followed by the special family program “Puppet of ME!”
A one-hour interactive puppet making activity led by master puppeteer John Kennedy. Take home a puppet you make yourself—OF yourself. Reception, book signing, exhibit visit and videos of John’s web workshops make this day super special!