Puppet Festival
to
Overture Center 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Ever think you could reach out and pet a Brontosaurus? Walk with dinosaurs and enjoy stories performed by creatures crafted by artists. Overture’s first-ever Puppet Festival brings together the traditional and the modern, the enchanting and the irreverent, with both free activities and ticketed performances. Erth's Dinosaur Zoo Live is a collection of lifelike dinosaurs brought to life by performers and puppeteers. For a more hands-on experience, Felice Amato leads a toy theater workshop where participants create sets and puppets.
press release: From March 31 to April 2, 2017, Overture Center welcomes local and touring artists and puppeteers to celebrate one of the oldest art forms – puppetry. The inaugural festival features gallery displays, professional performances, interactive workshops and Kids in the Rotunda performances.
Festival Kick Off! | Friday, March 31 at 5-6:30 p.m. | Rotunda Stage and Playhouse Gallery
o Puppet play-station and an interactive Shadow Puppet Theater presented by First Act, Family-friendly refreshments available. Free.
Family Toy Theater Workshop | Saturday, April 1 at 9 a.m.-Noon at MMoCA | Sunday, April 2 at 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. at Overture in Promenade Hall
o Led by local artist, Felice Amato, familial groups will create small toy theater sets and puppets to tell a fun family story in a culminating sharing session puppet show. Tickets are $15/family and include materials. Families are encouraged to bring photos or other items to personalize their project.
Puppet Play Theater | Saturday, April 1 at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. & Sunday, April 2 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Rotunda Lobby
o Child-sized puppet tents and a variety of puppets will be available for children and families to experience with open-ended and creative play during the weekend. Free.
Kids in the Rotunda: Taiwan Puppets | Saturday, April 1 at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. | Rotunda Stage
o Taiwan Puppet Troupe of University of Wisconsin – Madison presents the 200-year old folk art of “Glove Puppet,” created by the Taiwanese Puppetry Theater. Free.
Ticketed shows:
Manual Cinema’s Lula Del Ray | Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. | Capitol Theater
With overhead projections, shadow puppets, actors in silhouette, live music and virtually no dialogue, the Chicago puppet troupe mythically reinvents the classic coming-of-age story. Tickets start at $25 (Puppet Festival Package includes 7 p.m. performance)
The Man Who Planted Trees | Saturday, April 1 at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. | Promenade Hall
o In this ecologically inspired tale performed by the famed Puppet State Theatre Company, a French shepherd sets out with Dog to plant a forest, transform a barren wasteland acorn by acorn and remind us that one man can make a difference. Tickets are $26 (Puppet Festival Package includes 3 p.m. performance)
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live | Sunday, April 2 at 1 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. | Capitol Theater
o Designed by professional paleontologists, life-like dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures are brought to life in this entertaining and educational show. Tickets start at $25 (Puppet Festival Package includes 4:30 p.m. performance)
The Puppet Festival Package offers tickets to all three shows starting at $76. Single tickets starting at $25 and are available in person at the Overture Center Ticket Office (201 State Street), online at overture.org or by phone at 608.258.4141.