The Ballard Institute And Museum Of Puppetry Presents Its 2018 Fall Puppet Forum Series

For its 2018 Fall Puppet Forum Series, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will host three free scintillating discussions with puppeteers and artists on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in Sept. through Dec. at in the Ballard Institute Theater, located at 1 Royce Circle in Downtown Storrs. These forums will illuminate new perspectives on the creation, history, aesthetics, and performance of puppetry today. The Fall Puppet Forum schedule will include the following talks:

Sept. 13: "Women in Puppetry: Identity, Gender, and Performance," with Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Clare Dolan, and Dey Hernández Vázquez
In the first puppet forum of the season, co-sponsored by the UConn Women's Center, three acclaimed puppeteers will discuss the situation of women in contemporary U.S. puppetry: Dey Hernández Vázquez, from the Puerto Rico-based puppet theater Papel Machete; Clare Dolan, co-creator of the Banners and Cranks Festival and director of the Museum of Everyday Life; and Stephanie D'Abruzzo, who created the role of Kate Monster in Avenue Q. Kathleen Holgerson, Director of the UConn Women's Center, will moderate this forum.

Nov. 15: "Night Fall: Community Puppetry in Hartford," with Anne Cubberly
Over the past seven years, Anne Cubberly's annual Night Fall performances in Hartford parks have celebrated seasonal change with art, music, dance, and Cubberly's trademark giant puppets. Join us for a fascinating discussion about the origins, aims, techniques, and aesthetics of this dynamic community performance event that has redefined the cultural life of Connecticut's capital.

Dec. 6: "African American Puppetry in New York City," with Nehprii Amenii and Brad Brewer
In conjunction with the Ballard Institute's Living Objects: African American Puppetry exhibition, this forum will bring together two noted New York-based puppeteers to talk about the past, present, and future of African American puppetry, and the dynamics of aesthetic and artistic choices in this field.

Admission to these events is free (donations greatly appreciated!), and refreshments will be served. Come early, and experience our puppet exhibitions, as well as the video resources in our library nook. Forums will be broadcast via Facebook Live. For more information or if you require an accommodation to attend a forum, please contact Ballard Institute staff at 860.486.8580 or bimp@uconn.edu.