Dive into the fanciful world of puppetry at the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, which presents master puppeteers from around the world in an array of performances throughout the city. Performance tickets range from $20-$30 but the festival also supplies a selection of free events this weekend.
Robin Frohardt: The Plastic Bag Store
When: January 27-30, 2022
Where: The Wrigley Building, 410 N. Michigan Ave., ground level
Times: Thursday-Friday 11-3 pm, Saturday-Sunday 1-3 pm
New York artist’s Robin Frohardt multidimensional installation appears to be a grocery store but it’s really a sad and comical tribute to the lasting impact of plastic. Look closely and you’ll find hundreds of handmade pieces created from organic NYC trash. Several times a day, the store transforms into a mini cinema with a series of short puppet films.
Skeleton Canoe
When: January 29-30, 2022
Where: American Indian Center, 3401 W. Ainslie
Times: 5 pm
View this fascinating work in progress performed by Ty Defoe, that explores traditional Anishinaabe rites of passage and ancestral knowledge through puppetry and multimedia.
Online Symposium: Race & Representation in Puppetry
When: January 29, 2022
Where: Online Live Stream
Time: 10 am
Practicing festival artists examine the intersection of puppetry with race and representation during this 90-minute panel discussion. Discover the history of puppetry and how the movement was formed in Chicago and the progress it’s made with representation. Watch live on Howlround TV.
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