Catapult Artists Intensive

The 2023 Festival

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The Catapult: For Practicing Artists of all Disciplines

The Catapult Artist Intensive returns with 2 unique professional development weekends to inspire and inform practicing artists of all disciplines. Over each three-day period, participants take a deep dive into puppetry with a curated, guided experience of the Festival programming. Join an intimate cohort, escorted by a professional leader, for discussions, backstage access to the shows seen and more. The Catapult is designed to advance the form and expand understanding of the field of puppetry in the United States. Each weekend includes 8 performances in 3 days, with 2 panel discussions, some meals, and local transportation. No application required. Hotel is not included in the price, but hotel discount is available at Warwick Allerton Hotel with code PUPPETFEST2023.

Program Details

Ages: 18 and up

Health: We will be following local mandates at the time.

Who: Artists from any discipline and those seeking to deepen their puppetry experience

When:

Session 1
Friday, January 20 at 2:00pm through Sunday, January 22 at 7:00pm
Led by Samuel J. Lewis II

Session 2
Friday, January 27 at 2:00pm through Sunday, January 29 at 7:00pm
Led by Grace Needlman

Location & Transportation: Cohort travels together to venues throughout Chicago. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to/from airport as needed.

Cost: $590 ($200 deposit due upon registration, $390 remaining balance due before January 6, 2023)

Lodging: Hotel discount code available to participants so they can get a low rate which they book and pay for themselves– Warwick Allerton Hotel with code PUPPETFEST2023

 

For more information please email: info@chicagopuppetfest.org

Session I Schedule

Friday, January 20 at 2:00pm through Sunday January 22 at 7:00pm

Led by Samuel J. Lewis II (read bio below)

Schedule

Friday, January 20

  • 2pm: Orientation and Skill Share
  • 5:30pm: Meal Provided
  • 7:30pm: Performance of Anywhere by Théâtre de L’Entrouvert
  • 10:30pm: Performance of Nasty, Brutish & Short, late-night puppet cabaret 

 

Saturday, January 21

 

Sunday, January 22

Register for session I

Session II Schedule

Friday, January 27 at 1:00pm through Sunday, January 29 at 7:00pm

Led by Grace Needlman (read bio below)

Schedule

Friday, January 27

  • 2pm: Orientation and Skill Share
  • 5:30pm: Meal Provided
  • 7:30pm: Performance of Macunaíma Gourmet  by Pigmalião Escultura que Mexe
  • 10:30pm: Performance of Nasty, Brutish & Short, late-night puppet cabaret 

Saturday, January 28

 

Sunday, January 29

Register for session II

Lead Artists

Photo: Yvette Marie Dostani

Samuel J. Lewis II

Sam is an accidental puppeteer who now tries to create intentional work. He has worked for over a decade with a vintage Black Americana marionette, he reimagined as, “Jus Hambone.” Currently, he’s building new puppets for the first time, with the generous help of Grace Needlman of Wonder Wagon, for a long-form piece he’s creating based on newly discovered family history, tentatively titled, Everybody Knew Their Place. 

Grace Needlman

Grace Needlman (they/she) is excited to join the Chicago International Puppet Festival team as the Chicago Puppet Lab Coordinator. As a cultural worker and puppet designer, Grace explores collective imagination and is committed to creating equitable pathways for Chicago artists. Grace’s puppet designs appear on stages across Chicago, and they are a company member at Rough House. Grace also works as Manager of Studio Programs at Mawen and publishes and presents on youth agency, collaboration, and queering museums. Grace holds a BA in fine art from Yale University and an MA in Contemporary Art Theory from Goldsmiths University of London.