La MaMa's International Puppet Series Begins Tonight

Puppetry from the U.S., Japan, Belgium and Colombia will be featured in the 2015 LA MAMA PUPPET SERIES set for today, November 5 to 29 on all four of La MaMa's stages in New York City. This biennial festival highlights new contemporary puppet theatre from many of the world's leading puppet artists during the month of November, including Heather Henson, Ty Defoe, Tom Lee, Koryu Nishikawa V, Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre Company and Maiko Kikuchi.

The festival features five main stage shows that are geared toward an adventurous theatre audience, as well as family programming and one-night only special events. The five main stage productions are multi-disciplinary theatre pieces that explore serious themes.

The LA MAMA PUPPET SERIES is a biennial festival highlighting new contemporary puppet theatre by international artists, continuing a long tradition of puppetry at La MaMa: the theater's late, legendary founder Ellen Stewart presented the first puppet production at La MaMa in 1962 with the U.S. debut of Korea's renowned puppet master Pagoon Kang Wouk. Throughout its 50-plus year history, La MaMa has produced shows by such notable puppet artists as Theodora Skipitares, Roman Paska, Vit Horejs, Kevin Augustine and Ralph Lee.

"I am excited for audiences to see the work because it incorporates a stunning array of powerful imagery, music, dance, and compelling ideas that truly reflects La MaMa's dedication to promoting and presenting innovative theatre." says Denise Greber, director and curator of the PUPPET SERIES.

Following is a list of productions featured in the November festival:

Mainstage shows:

CRANE: on earth, in sky - this new work co-created by Heather Henson and Ty DeFoe, performed by IBEX Puppetry (USA) is described as an environmental spectacle with puppets, projections, kites and other effects the indigenous cultures from around the globe that honor and protect the majestic cranes and their struggle to survive with the planet's disappearing forests and lakes. Ms. Henson is the celebrated founder of IBEX Puppetry, which creates unique visual experiences for audiences of all ages. NOV. 5-8. Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) - World Premiere

SHANK'S MARE - Created by Tom Lee and the Japanese puppet master Koryu Nishikawa V, this world-premiere opens La MaMa's newest - and fourth - performance space, The Downstairs. The story of two travelers whose paths intersect in time and space, SHANK'S MARE uses traditional "kuruma ningyo" puppetry, live feed video projection, miniature sets and a live score. Mr. Lee is a NY-based designer who specializes in Asian-inspired forms of puppet theater combined with modern technology. Mr. Nishikawa is the 5th generation headmaster of Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo, a 160-year old puppet theatre in Japan. Suitable for all ages 10 and up. Nov. 6 - 15. The Downstairs (66 E. 4 St.) - World Premieree

THE CHILD WHO - Theatre d'un Jour from Belgium, under the direction of Patrick Masset, presents this work that depicts a child with one foot in the real world and one in imagination as he faces a planet and humanity endlessly scorned by man. THE CHILD WHO is inspired by the early years of the French-born sculptor Jephan de Villiers. Theatre d'un Jour has presented socially conscious interdisciplinary work since 2008. Suitable for all ages 12 and up. NOV. 12-15. Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) - US Premiere

UNDEFINED FRACTION - Comprised of performers from the U.S. and South America, Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre is a long time resident company at La MaMa. This world premiere work - inspired by Pedro Calderon de la Barca's play LIFE'S A DREAM - uses dance, puppetry, and live music to consider matters of inequality, social justice, guilt and punishment. Conceived by Loco7's founder Federico Restrepo and Denise Greber, UNDEFINED FRACTION is directed, designed and choreographed by Mr. Restrepo, with music composed by Tareke Ortiz. Suitable for all ages 12 and up. NOV. 19-29. Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) - World Premiere

NO NEED FOR A NIGHT LIGHT ON A NIGHT LIKE TONIGHT - Japanese puppet artist Maiko Kikuchi, employing shadow puppets, animation and elaborate headpieces, has created this dreamscape of text and design based on familiar tongue-twisters and aimless idioms. Ms. Kikuchi's recent work has been seen at LABAPALOOZA at St. Ann's Warehouse, LA MAMA PUPPET SLAM, Whitney Museum and Walls Tokyo. Suitable for all ages 10 and up. NOV. 19-22. First Floor Theatre (74 E. 4 St.) - World Premiere

Family Programming

HEATHER HENSON WORKSHOP - IBEX's educational programs provide opportunities to learn about puppetry and creativity for all ages 4 and up NOV. 7-8. First Floor Theatre (74 E. 4 St.)

I LAID AN EGG - Double Image Theatre presents this original work created by Spica Wobbe and Margot Fitzsimmons. The story follows a young girl and her imaginary friend Egg as they explore an imaginary world made of shadows and everyday household items, using shadow, object theater and music. Double Image is a NYC-based theater lab that creates cross-cultural productions spanning such art forms at poetry, multimedia, music, dance and puppetry. Suitable for all ages 4 and up. NOV. 14-15. First Floor Theatre (74 E. 4 St.)

PUNSCHI - is a double-bill of one-act shows performed by sisters Jana Zeller and Shoshana Bass of the Sandglass Theatre in Vermont. FRITZI'S FLEA CIRCUS with Ms. Bass invites the audience into the world of circus feats - a strong man, high diver and puppet cannonball. KASPER AND THE COW with Ms. Zeller centers on the adventures of the beloved German hand puppet Kasper, known for his stocking cap and piercing sense of humor. This tale finds Kasper in a pickle as he is about to embark on a journey only to discover a cow has stolen his suitcase. Both shows were created by the sisters' mother Ines Zeller Bass and have been passed along to her daughters to perform. Suitable for all ages 4 and up. NOV. 21-22. The Club (74 E. 4 St.)

Special Events:

PUPPET SLAM - Jane Catherine Shaw, a well-known puppeteer and theater artist, curates this one-night-only puppet slam featuring contemporary short-form puppet and object theater from both emerging and veteran puppet artists. NOV. 11

NOW ALL WE HAVE LEFT IS EACH OTHER - is a workshop presentation of a new play by Liz Hara and Spencer Lott, with puppet design by Martin P. Robinson. After the suicides of their parents, two teenage siblings are left along in the Frozen Village at a rundown roadside attraction in Minnesota. Their only hope for survival comes in the form of a swarm of grasshoppers and a mysterious stranger living on the land. NOV. 18. The Club (74 E. 4 St.) - Work-in-progress

COFFEEHOUSE CHRONICLES - curated by Michal Gamily and moderated by Cheryl Henson, this event will examine contemporary puppet theatre from the 1970s to present. Participating artists are Ralph Lee, Roman Paska, Amy Trompetter, Lake Simmons and Federico Restrepo. Coffeehouse Chronicles is La MaMa's ongoing series of free events structured around cross-generational panel discussions featuring prominent artists whose work continues to inspire the current generation of artists. La MaMa has presented over 125 such COFEEHOUSE events since 2005. NOV. 21

On Nov. 5, 13 and 20 from 8 pm to 11 pm, La MaMa will host a Puppet Lounge in the Ellen Stewart Theatre where patrons and artists alike can gather for snacks, drinks and conversation in a lounge area outfitted with video installations, puppet portraits, music and more.