This 9th edition, we bring Chicago a new breadth of the wholly unique practice of puppetry from around the globe. Puppets, an unruly bunch by enlarge, camp out on the periphery of every culture.  When given the opportunity they will take the center stage, but are equally delighted to embed themselves in along side other disciplines, such as DJ Kid Koala’s The Storyville Mosquito, bicycle artist Yidor Llach’s The Y – feel like flying, installation artist Geumhyung Jeong’s Spa & Beauty, or Théâtre à Bout Portant’s On Call in an ambulance.

This year also features traditional practices brought over whole cloth: Japanese Kuruma Ningyō (Hachiōji Kuruma Ningyō), the Indian Tholpavakoothu (Ritual Ramayana) and the Brazilian Lamba Lamba (ConCordis). These established forms can now be seen side by side with contemporary productions such as Yoroboshi (Japan), LOCO (Belgium) & Little Theater at the World’s Edge (France).

We are proud to contribute to excellent repertory by supporting the creation of two U.S. premieres, Manuel Cinema’s The Daemon and Myra Su’s Stripes. We will augment our live programming with a selection of films with puppetry, featuring short works of Stop Animation from Scotland’s Manipulate Festival, and two feature films whose heart beat is provided by the puppet, Project Hail Mary and Dear Stranger. 

And, for the first time in Chicago, the blockbuster commercial production Brian Henson’s Puppet Up! will be both unruly and center stage!

The entry points into our Garden of Delights are many. Choose your own Delight, prepare to be Astonished…and Welcome to All!