The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry Presents 2016 Fall Puppet Performance Series

The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will host its Fall Puppet Performance Series on four Saturdays from September to December 2016, featuring outstanding works for puppet theater by professional puppeteers from across the Northeast and beyond. Each show will be performed twice, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. All performances will take place at the Ballard Institute Theater located at 1 Royce Circle, Storrs, CT. Productions and dates include:

September 24: The Pirate, the Princess and the Pea by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre-Take one bumbling buccaneer. Add one problem-solving princess. Throw in a stack of mattresses with a pea on the bottom, and put the pirate on top. Season liberally with shipwrecks, sea monsters and side-splitting action, and you have the recipe for one hilarious adventure on the high seas! Presented by Vermont-based Crabgrass Puppet Theatre, founded by UConn Puppet Arts alumni Jamie Keithline and Bonny Hall.

October 15: Rumpelstilskin by Dream Tale Puppets-In this adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin, the well-known German folktale, Dream Tale Puppets uses beautifully crafted table-top puppets to tell the story of a girl, Kathleen, whose father puts her life in danger after he lies to the king saying that she can spin straw into gold. Created by Polish-born puppeteer and mime Jacek Zuzanski, now based on Cape Cod.

November 5: The Doubtful Sprout by Liz Joyce & A Couple of Puppets-Get ready to explore the world under your feet in this underground puppet adventure. Tunnel down with Worm and Sprout as they discover the mysterious life found inside soil. Along the way, kids help figure out the secrets that help Sprout grow! Created and performed by puppeteer Liz Joyce, Director of Goat on a Boat Puppet Theatre in Sag Harbor, Long Island.

December 3: The Snowflake Man by Puppetkabob- Vermont native and UConn Puppet Arts alumna Sarah Frechette's story of The Snowflake Man is inspired by Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, the self-educaTed Vermont farmer and scientist who attracted world attention when he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. The Snowflake Man swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of watercolor scenery.

Ticket Prices: Adults: $12; Students: $8; Kids: $6 (12 years and under)

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by phone at860.486.8580, or online at http://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 a limited number of seats. For more information about these performances, visit bimp.uconn.edu or call 860.486.8580.