While attending Yale, Burnett encountered Richard “Roddy” Brandon who immediately bought into Harry’s vision and obsession with marionettes. Brandon proved to be as talented at booking gigs as Harry was at puppet making. The pair began touring their marionette show around New Haven in their spare time. Originally billed as “The Puppeteers, Students of Yale University,” the duo soon opted for the shortened “Yale Puppeteers,” and the name stuck. During his summers off from teaching, Brown would join the other two traveling along the East Coast performing at various schools, churches, resorts, and any place else that would hire them.
Eventually, Forman quit teaching in order to become a full-time member as both a marionette operator and the troupe’s primary songwriter. The Yale Puppeteers officially became the trio who would persevere for decades.