Chicago has rapidly transformed into the epicenter of puppetry arts, with the commencement of The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival drawing near. The event, which originated from the creative mind of Blair Thomas, is marked by its international flair, featuring performances from all corners of the globe. Set to run from January 18-28, the lineup promises a rich display of puppets that serve as mediums for adult narratives as well as family-friendly tales.
Thomas, the festival's founder and an acclaimed artist in his own right, aims to shake up the local theater scene seriously. In an interview with NewCity Stage, he expressed the festival's growth in terms of scale, admitting it's challenging to rapidly adjust to the new annual rhythm. Puppets will appear at various venues across Chicago, and this year boasts more large-scale shows. According to the same source, one such performance is by the Krystal Puppeteers from Kenya, which will depict the folk tale “Tears by the River,” touring the city throughout the entire 10-day span.
At the heart of this year's festival is a thematic exploration of the interaction between humans and the non-human world. Offerings like Wakka Wakka’s “Animalia Trilogy” will broadly examine urgent issues like climate change and animal extinction. Wakka Wakka, a Norwegian and New York-based company will kick start the festival with a stimulating series that connects the past, present, and future. They will premiere the final installment, “Dead as a Dodo,” and revisit “Animal R.I.O.T.” and “The Immortal Jellyfish Girl,” with Chicago audiences being the first to witness the entire trilogy, the Chicago Tribune reported.
With an eye on showcasing rich cultural traditions, Hamid Rahmanian, an Iranian American filmmaker, presents “Song of the North” at the Studebaker Theater. Based on the Persian epic “Shahnameh,” it harmoniously blends shadow puppetry with animation, all set to music. Rahmanian, in a previously published piece by the Tribune, reiterated his mission to elevate art from a misunderstood culture. Kids and adults alike are catered for, with shows like “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster” by Emmy Award-winning Chicago-based Manual Cinema enticing younger audiences.
The city’s vibrant arts scene is set to embrace this unique festival that transcends typical puppet theater, aiming to engage a wider adult audience with multifaceted storytelling. Local talent isn't to be overshadowed, as Chicago companies also take the stage with impactful performances. Theatre Y’s youth ensemble, for example, tackles tough subjects such as gun violence with “Little Carl," which uses a blend of puppetry and poetry to tell its story, "Little Carl" is a stark reminder of the realities faced in some of Chicago's communities, blending artistic expression with real-world issues.
Festival-goers can also immerse themselves in workshops, panel discussions, and even a puppetry exhibit at the Puppet Hub in the Fine Arts Building.
