The Ballard Institute Presents SHELDON EXPLAINS IT ALL: UNDER THE SEA!

As part of its 2019 Summertime Saturday Puppet Show Series, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut is pleased to present Sheldon Explains It All: Under the Sea! by UConn Dramatic Arts graduate student Zach Broome on Aug. 3, 2019 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Ballard Institute Theater, located at 1 Royce Circle in Downtown Storrs.

Sheldon the turtle is back, and this time he is exploring his roots as he shows you all of cool, colorful plants and animals of the sea. Join him as he basks in the sun with crabs and starfish, follow close behind him as he navigates the treacherous waters inhabited by jellyfish and electric eels, and bring along your scuba gear as he takes you on a dive into the world of some of the weirdest, wildest creatures of the deep. This show is 45 minutes long and is recommended for ages 4+.

Zach Broome is a graduate student at UConn where he studies Puppet Arts and Scenic Design. Originally from Georgia, Zach moved to Connecticut in 2015, and the frigid winter temperatures, snow, and ice have yet to drive him away. During his time in Connecticut, Zach has worked on a number of puppet-related productions. In 2016, he and his fellow student developed Puppets Take the Pops, a puppet production performed in conjunction with the Boston Pops. Zach designed puppets for the Connecticut Repertory Theatre productions of Shrek: The Musical and She Kills Monsters in 2016 and 2017, respectively. He also performed in UConn Puppet Slams and at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry in previous Summer Series productions of Superheroes, Villains, and Spaceships, Oh My! with Anatar Marmol-Gagne (2016) and Sheldon Explains It All (2017).

Our last Summertime Saturday Puppet Show will be:

Aug. 10: Judy Saves the Day! by Sarah Nolen

After being pushed around for over 400 years, the famous hand puppet heroine Judy has had enough! Cheer her on as she goes on a quest for respect, justice, and a well-deserved nap. This modern interpretation of the traditional Punch and Judy show by Puppet Showplace Theater Resident Artist (and UConn Puppet Arts alumna) Sarah Nolen is a hilarious, timely, handcrafted farce that the whole family will enjoy! This show is 45 minutes and is recommended for ages 4+.

Ticket Prices: Adults: $12; Members/Seniors: $10; Students: $8; Kids: $6 (12 years and under).

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by calling 860-486-8580, or online at bimp.ticketleap.com. A surcharge will be added to any purchases made online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ballard Institute on the day of performance starting at 10 a.m. There will be open seating and no reservations. Visitors can park in the Storrs Center Garage located at 33 Royce Circle. Parking is free for the first two hours and $1 per hour thereafter, with a daily maximum charge of $8. For more information about these performances or if you require an accommodation to attend this event, please contact Ballard Institute staff at 860-486-8580 or bimp@uconn.edu

Photo courtesy of Zach Broome