Yet there is a rich arts exchange happening worldwide, from the puppetry of cultural heritages to contemporary and avant-garde approaches that break down Western stereotypes and build on puppetry origins in astounding ways. They picture street art or improvised Punch & Judy shows. They often assume puppet shows are simply for children, or that the medium will be tiny marionettes, or the stage will be small-scale.
Nevertheless, many people still have misconceptions about puppetry.
“They have really skyrocketed into the performing arts world, and they have multiple companies out touring their shows around the country and abroad.”
CHICAGO PUPPETRY MANUAL
puppet arts universe, citing the success of Chicago-based Manual Cinema. The intensity of programming that happens, you’re not going to find anywhere else in the U.S., but we’re outdone by the funding resources that have existed in other countries for years.” Putting the struggle to find robust funding sources like Europe’s aside, he is happy to discuss Chicago’s impact on the U.S. We have the most alive and active international puppet theater festival going on in North America. He shares some insight with me about Chicago’s place in the puppet world. Puppet festival founder/artistic director Blair Thomas has been an influence for many of the aforementioned companies and a mentor to scores of artists. With decades of puppet-mongering history behind us, from the grassroots Puppet Guild, to the sadly defunct but hugely influential Redmoon Theater, and onward (the festival’s in-house Puppet Studio, Rootstock Puppet Company, Rough House Theater, and Manual Cinema, to name a few), the city has been fostering puppeteers and puppet designers for years, who have cross-pollinated heavily with the circus and theater communities. As droves of puppets descend upon us in midwinter, it is a good time to note that Chicago is well-established as a center of puppet influence in the U.S. Those not familiar with contemporary puppetry might wonder how the humble puppet has become such an enduring art form (and such a force in Chicago). The Puppet Hub will feature a film screening, exhibitions, and a puppet-inspired cafe, as well as performances at the in-house Studebaker Theater.Ĭhicago International Puppet Theater Festivalġ/18-1/29: see for complete schedule and ticketing information. In addition to shows at multiple venues around town, the festival is introducing a Pop-Up Puppet Hub in the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue with site-specific events throughout the festival. The shows in the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival (now in its fifth year) cover a diverse range of topics, from reimagining classic myths and literature, to exploring comedic tempo with squirrels, to delving into the humanity around the geopolitical crisis of refugees. Best of Chicago 2022: Sports & Recreationįor 12 days this month, Chicago will be home to fantastical puppets and artists from Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Norway, Japan, South Africa, Spain, and the United States.
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