Performance installation that links artists in Chicago & New York via live-stream through handmade puppet terrariums –miniature worlds with petite puppets that explore diverse organisms in their environment; sometimes in sync, sometimes in conflict, but always inextricably connected to each other.
Created by Tom Lee & Averly Sheltraw Production Design: Tom Lee Puppet, Set Design & Fabrication: Averly Sheltraw Tech & Fabrication Assistance: Zachary Sun Fabrication Assistance: Robin Manganaro, Norah Noonan, Jimmy Carmody, Channing Christ, Nathalie Lam, Maya Collins, Aidan Vogel, Aislinn Cantin
NYC La MaMa Performance Team Lead Puppeteer: Averly Sheltraw Puppeteer: Kiku Sakai Puppeteer: Zachary Sun Music: August Boyne Scenic Consultant: Andreea Mincic
Chicago Puppet Studio Performance Team Direction: Tom Lee Terrarium Designer/Fabricators: Zachary Sun, Rowena Liu, Caitlin McCleod, Leah Lara, Jacqueline Penrod, Emilie Helene Rebecca Wingate, Sheri Doyel, Linda Wingerter, Bonnie Kim, Rachel Healy, Joanna Greer Music: Robbie Lynn Hunsinger
Presented with the support of Yara Arts Group, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, & generous housing support by Beth Corning.
BALLS in the Park
Audio/Visual Installation 32 min
Paul Foster’s BALLS returns to La MaMa for one night only 61 years after its premiere in 1964. The short play, originally staged with two ping pong balls swinging like pendulums on a stage, was re-created as a digital installation by CultureHub & the Great Jones Repertory Company in 2019 with Paul’s blessing. Now, we bring you BALLS in the Park, a screening of the digital version with immersive sound. Grab a lawn chair or a blanket & purchase a picnic basket for this special theatrical event.
Credits for BALLS in the Park: Playwright: Paul Foster Director/Set Design: Arthur Adair Creative Producers: Billy Clark & Mattie Barber-Bockelman Sound Design: John King Creative Coding: Oren Shoham Creative Technologist: Sangmin Chae Technical Director: DeAndra Anthony Assistant Coordinators: Dakota Silvey & Victoria Villier
Recorded Voices: Jon DeVries (“Commodore” Wilkinson); Charley Hayward (Beau Beau); Onni Johnson (Miss McCuthcheon); Billy Clark (Bus Driver); Sara Galassini & John Gutierrez (Young Lovers); Valois Mickens (The Woman Who Had No Shadow); Chris Wild (The Military Commander); Yuna Clark (Nasty Brat)
With Support by PSC-CUNY Award, jointly funded by The Professional Staff Congress and The City University of New York.
Performance installation that links artists in Chicago & New York via live-stream through handmade puppet terrariums –miniature worlds with petite puppets that explore diverse organisms in their environment; sometimes in sync, sometimes in conflict, but always inextricably connected to each other.
Created by Tom Lee & Averly Sheltraw Production Design: Tom Lee Puppet, Set Design & Fabrication: Averly Sheltraw Tech & Fabrication Assistance: Zachary Sun Fabrication Assistance: Robin Manganaro, Norah Noonan, Jimmy Carmody, Channing Christ, Nathalie Lam, Maya Collins, Aidan Vogel, Aislinn Cantin
NYC La MaMa Performance Team Lead Puppeteer: Averly Sheltraw Puppeteer: Kiku Sakai Puppeteer: Zachary Sun Music: August Boyne Scenic Consultant: Andreea Mincic
Chicago Puppet Studio Performance Team Direction: Tom Lee Terrarium Designer/Fabricators: Zachary Sun, Rowena Liu, Caitlin McCleod, Leah Lara, Jacqueline Penrod, Emilie Helene Rebecca Wingate, Sheri Doyel, Linda Wingerter, Bonnie Kim, Rachel Healy, Joanna Greer Music: Robbie Lynn Hunsinger
Presented with the support of Yara Arts Group, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, & generous housing support by Beth Corning.
Summon Play
Theatre/Puppetry 30 min
In the quiet car of a train, Writer attempts to write a ‘creature play,’ but is obnoxiously interrupted by humans & creatures riddled with rotting medicine.
Cast: Buffy Sierra (City Person/Writer); Onni Johnson (Woman); Cary Gant (Man); Maria Camia (Condor); Giorgia Fiorentini & Adriana Garbagnati (Shadow); Kiku Sakai (Conductor); Michaela Ferrell (Shadow Puppeteer & Baby Condor)
Special Thanks to Scott Maples, Katherine De La Cruz, & Kaleb Malek
SKY meets SEA
Theatre/Dance/Puppetry 30 min
Converging on the banks of the Mekong River during the Vietnam War, SKY meets SEA examines the ongoing legacies of eco-chemical warfare & sexual assault. Smashing Celtic & Asian lore into Hollywood’s imaginary Vietnam (Apocalypse Now, Platoon) this fantasia of crusades, kidnapping, monstrosity, snakes, & dragons offers “trust as the tithe of love” in what scholar Trinh T Minh-ha calls the “epoch of global fear.” It’s St. Patrick vs. Medusa as told through the writing of maura & her deceased father, a Vagabond Literary Prize-winning poet who passed away in 2023.
Playwright/Director: maura nguyễn donohue with BG Donohue, Night Watch Poems Musical arrangements: Caitlin Nugent, Nick Swensen & Maya Tsou Styling & Ha Long Costume: Jet Yung Po Nagar Puppet: Sasa Yung Animation & “Soldiers’ Bells”: Simon Gonville Assistant Director: Brennan M Urbi Production: Lily Cox, Julianna Outeda-Matute & Oliver Jones
Cast: maura nguyễn donohue (narrator); lim mui (Medusa); Peter Case (Patrick/Bernard); Maya Tsou (Mė/Mai); Nick Swensen (St. Patrick); Simon Gonville (Young Patrick), Caitlin Nugent (Banshee); eugene the poogene (Ha Long); Katherine De La Cruz; Yael Haskal; evan ray suzuki, Juan Pablo Toro (Elsewhere/Within Here & Snake Chorus); Jullianne Grace Lao; Kathy Xia; Steven Zhang (dancers/chorus), Sasa Yung (self), Đoàn Thanh Toàn (Lady Po Nagar)
With Support by PSC-CUNY Award, jointly funded by The Professional Staff Congress and The City University of New York.
Richi Wa Utat / Richard III: Bold Theatre KE brings education & opportunities to artists from marginalized East African communities while amplifying Kenyan identity. Taking Shakespeare’s Richard III & re-imagining the work using Sheng- the most widely used Swahili patois in Nairobi- this experimental project culminated in performances of Richi Wa Utat in the ghettos of Nairobi. Infused with East African drum, Kenyan hip hop, and Nairobi fashion- the project interrogates the inequalities of modern Kenya and exposes the hypocrisy of peace achieved through violence.
Led by Adam Parker (US) & Aroji Otieno (Kenya)
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Prehistoric Body Theater: The Biological Tree of Life unites all living beings, past and present, within a vast story of shared prehistoric inheritance. From their jungle “Nest” studio in Central Java, Indonesia, Prehistoric Body Theater creates portals where scientific evidence ends and mystery begins—summoning dinosaurs, early humans, and other prehistoric entities through deep-time animal movement and clay-textured stagecraft. Their paleoart performances fuse Indonesian traditional and folk dance and music, butoh theater, and are created in collaboration with leading scientists.
Following confusing circumstances, J, a soldier in his prime, is sent into an unknown environment where every thought will shape his destiny more than ever. While there, he cohabits with two creatures who are more familiar with this place than he is, setting him on a path of self-discovery.
Director: Magaly Pefig Writers: Juan Pablo Toro (Original) & Magaly Pefig (adaptation)
Cast: Juan Pablo Toro (J); Greg Schroeder (D); Paris Dwyer (Camera)
A one-act musical exploring the creation myth of the spider from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Pitched in a deadly weaving contest against the goddess Athena, Arachne refuses to bow down or concede. Instead, she creates a fiercely truthful tapestry & dares to stand up for herself & her art no matter the cost.
Created by Katherine Yew Music by Carlos Mena & Katherine Yew Musicians: Carlos Mena (bass, guitar), Cyrus Von Hochstetter (piano), Andres Fonseca (drums/percussion)
Cast: Katherine Mena, Valois Mickens, Jullianne Lao, Kathy Xia, Steven Zhang, Mia Yankovich, Nick Swenson, Maya Tsou, Sheree V. Campbell
Special thanks to Ellen, Arthur, Federico, Poo, Maura, Erik, Katherine de la Cruz, Adri & everyone @ La MaMa Umbria. Love you, Ozzie.
We Are So Happy You Are Here
Theatre/Dance/Music 30 min
Performance created just for you… & all real & imaginary beings. Bring a friend or kids or new neighbor. All are welcome here.
Writer/Director: Kim Ima Co-director: Marina Celander Stage Manager: Amanda Reynoso Insect Puppet Designer: Averly Sheltraw Mask/Wings Design/Construction: Jane Catherine Shaw
Cast: Ursula Tinoco, Chris Wild, Morgan Medina-Wild, Allison Hiroto, Margaux Hiroto Heise, Matt Nasser, Marina Celander, Onni Johnson, Lim Mui, Meredith Wright, Kiku Sakai, Asma Feyijinmi, Julia Martin, Cathy Shaw
Special thanks: Tom Lee, Caitlin McLeod, & the Chicago Puppet Studio & International Puppet Theater Festival
Wildlife populations are declining worldwide due to human impacts. Scientists working in behavior, biology, ecology, veterinarian medicine & conservation discuss their work. In an effort to open scientific approaches to a broader public while activating perspectives from the arts, the panel discusses initiatives that expand the idea of a laboratory and invites us to consider ways to address the ongoing loss of species.
Led by Dr. Rob Gegear (U.Mass/Dartmouth) & Dr. Lucy Spelman (Creature Conserve & RISD) in conversation with Maeve Donohue (RDWray Farm Trust)
Thổ Địa (Creation of the Mother Goddess) & Bồng Bềnh (Buoyant)
Film 35 min
Thổ Địa (Creation of the Mother Goddess)from Hanoi-based Valerie Linh Pham, Tran Kim Ngoc & ToLo Puppet Theatre follows a Tutelary Spirit to a mythical River. Bồng Bềnh (Buoyant)by Đoàn Thanh Toàn & Nguyễn Lê Hoàng Phúc considers depleting fishing grounds due to climate change in a queer tale along the coast of Vietnam, when a mermaid is rescued from the fish market.
Summon Play
Theatre/Puppetry 30 min
In the quiet car of a train, Writer attempts to write a ‘creature play,’ but is obnoxiously interrupted by humans & creatures riddled with rotting medicine.
Cast: Buffy Sierra (City Person/Writer); Onni Johnson (Woman); Cary Gant (Man); Maria Camia (Condor); Giorgia Fiorentini & Adriana Garbagnati (Shadow); Kiku Sakai (Conductor); Michaela Ferrell (Shadow Puppeteer & Baby Condor)
Special Thanks to Scott Maples, Katherine De La Cruz, & Kaleb Malek
SKY meets SEA
Theatre/Dance/Puppetry 30 min
Converging on the banks of the Mekong River during the Vietnam War, SKY meets SEA examines the ongoing legacies of eco-chemical warfare & sexual assault. Smashing Celtic & Asian lore into Hollywood’s imaginary Vietnam (Apocalypse Now, Platoon) this fantasia of crusades, kidnapping, monstrosity, snakes, & dragons offers “trust as the tithe of love” in what scholar Trinh T Minh-ha calls the “epoch of global fear.” It’s St. Patrick vs. Medusa as told through the writing of maura & her deceased father, a Vagabond Literary Prize-winning poet who passed away in 2023.
Playwright/Director: maura nguyễn donohue with BG Donohue, Night Watch Poems Musical arrangements: Caitlin Nugent, Nick Swensen & Maya Tsou Styling & Ha Long Costume: Jet Yung Po Nagar Puppet: Sasa Yung Animation & “Soldiers’ Bells”: Simon Gonville Assistant Director: Brennan M Urbi Production: Lily Cox, Julianna Outeda-Matute & Oliver Jones
Cast: maura nguyễn donohue (narrator); lim mui (Medusa); Peter Case (Patrick/Bernard); Maya Tsou (Mė/Mai); Nick Swensen (St. Patrick); Simon Gonville (Young Patrick), Caitlin Nugent (Banshee); eugene the poogene (Ha Long); Katherine De La Cruz; Yael Haskal; evan ray suzuki, Juan Pablo Toro (Elsewhere/Within Here & Snake Chorus); Jullianne Grace Lao; Kathy Xia; Steven Zhang (dancers/chorus), Sasa Yung (self), Đoàn Thanh Toàn (Lady Po Nagar)
With Support by PSC-CUNY Award, jointly funded by The Professional Staff Congress and The City University of New York.
Creating to Connect Us: A Generative Art-Science Workshop
This is a generative workshop for people interested in creating work in all media about what it means to share our six basic needs – air, food, water, shelter, room to move, & each other – with the more-than-human creatures who live alongside us on our streets, in our backyards, parks, shorelines, rivers, oceans, & skies. Through process-oriented presentation, guided exercises, & open discussion, we’ll weave scientific information into the creative process. Participants are invited to bring sketching/writing materials as well as empathy and imagination.
Led by Dr. Lucy Spelman, Susan Tacent, & Deanne Fernandes
Following confusing circumstances, J, a soldier in his prime, is sent into an unknown environment where every thought will shape his destiny more than ever. While there, he cohabits with two creatures who are more familiar with this place than he is, setting him on a path of self-discovery.
Director: Magaly Pefig Writers: Juan Pablo Toro (Original) & Magaly Pefig (adaptation)
Cast: Juan Pablo Toro (J); Greg Schroeder (D); Paris Dwyer (Camera)
A one-act musical exploring the creation myth of the spider from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Pitched in a deadly weaving contest against the goddess Athena, Arachne refuses to bow down or concede. Instead, she creates a fiercely truthful tapestry & dares to stand up for herself & her art no matter the cost.
Created by Katherine Yew Music by Carlos Mena & Katherine Yew Musicians: Carlos Mena (bass, guitar), Cyrus Von Hochstetter (piano), Andres Fonseca (drums/percussion)
Cast: Katherine Mena, Valois Mickens, Jullianne Lao, Kathy Xia, Steven Zhang, Mia Yankovich, Nick Swenson, Maya Tsou, Sheree V. Campbell
Special thanks to Ellen, Arthur, Federico, Poo, Maura, Erik, Katherine de la Cruz, Adri & everyone @ La MaMa Umbria. Love you, Ozzie.
We Are So Happy You Are Here
Theatre/Dance/Music 30 min
Performance created just for you… & all real & imaginary beings. Bring a friend or kids or new neighbor. All are welcome here.
Writer/Director: Kim Ima Co-director: Marina Celander Stage Manager: Amanda Reynoso Insect Puppet Designer: Averly Sheltraw Mask/Wings Design/Construction: Jane Catherine Shaw
Cast: Ursula Tinoco, Chris Wild, Morgan Medina-Wild, Allison Hiroto, Margaux Hiroto Heise, Matt Nasser, Marina Celander, Onni Johnson, Lim Mui, Meredith Wright, Kiku Sakai, Asma Feyijinmi, Julia Martin, Cathy Shaw
Special thanks: Tom Lee, Caitlin McLeod, & the Chicago Puppet Studio & International Puppet Theater Festival
Creature Needs: Writers Respond to the Science of Animal Conservation
This is a How-to Discussion & Book Reading for folks interested in the health of all species (including humans!) Creature Needs, published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2025, is a path-setting fusion of literary art & scientific research that deepens our understanding of the interdependence between life & habitat. We’ll trace the book’s journey from an idea sparked by Creature Conserve, a Rhode Island based creative community bringing together artists, designers, writers, & experts with scientific & traditional knowledge in a supportive, welcoming space, to a collection of work by 39 writers & poets whose response to the science illuminates the stark choices we all face to conserve resources & ensure that the needs of all species are met.
With Dr. Lucy Spelman, Susan Tacent, Eléna Rivera & Jodie Noel Vinson
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