You are in the archive of the 2026 Festival, which took place January 21-February 1 and was the 8th edition.
Here you will find scholarship, resources, documentation, and further reading about the performances, which took place at the 8th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival.
Program Brochure
Note: some presentation changes happened after printing
Promo Video
Table of Contents
2026 Events
Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust: About Ram
Blair Thomas: Does a Dog Have Buddha Nature?
Plexus Polaire: A Doll’s House
The Roald Dahl Story Company: Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile
Alva Puppet Theater: The Harlem Doll Palace
Théâtre de la Massue with Chef Chris Sullivan: La Méridienne
Untitled Theatre Company No. 61 & Yara Arts Group: The Left Hand of Darkness
Laura Heit: The Matchbox Shows
Nasty Brutish & Short: Curated by Rough House Puppet Arts
Geumhyung Jeong: Oil Pressure Vibrator
Blind Summit: The Sex Lives of Puppets
Plexus Polaire: Trust Me for a While
Free Neighborhood Tour with Tian Gombau
Free Neighborhood Tour with Alex & Olmsted
Closing Night Party with Joshua Holden, Mark Down, Blair Thomas, Alex & Olmsted, and Mark Blashford
Exhibition: Laura Heit: Two Ways Down
Exhibition: Andrew Kim: Giant Lantern Puppets
Ellen Van Volkenburg Puppetry Symposium
Book Talks: Alissa Mello, Mark Down, Dr. Dassia Posner, Claudia Orenstein
Workshops with Festival Artists
2026 Festival Partners
