THE PAPER HAT GAME to Play 3LD Art & Technology Center

3-Legged Dog (Kevin Cunningham, Artistic Director) and The Tank (Rosalind Grush and Rania Jumaily, Co-Artistic Directors) are thrilled to present the compelling THE PAPER HAT GAME, created and directed by Torry Bend, with video designed by Raquel Salvatella de Prada. Part of The Tank's Flint & Tinder, their flagship theater program, and of 3-Legged Dog's Artist Residency Program, THE PAPER HAT GAME begins performances on Wednesday, June 22 for a limited engagement through Sunday, July 17. Press opening is Tuesday, June 28 at 8 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Sunday at 8 PM. (Please note there is no performance on Sunday, July 3.) Performances are at 3LD Art and Technology Center (80 Greenwich Street, at Rector, in downtown Manhattan). Tickets are $25 ($15 for students with valid student ID). Tickets are available by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006 or by visiting www.3ldnyc.org.

The true story of Scotty Iseri's adventures (and misadventures) as whimsical prankster "The Paper Hat Guy" are told through the language of toy theater. The hero of this visual kaleidoscope has a simple game: handing out paper hats on the subway with the intention of bringing a bit of childlike joy to daily commuters. But even heroes fall on hard times, and despite the Paper Hat Guy's daily attempt to brighten the city, the city isn't always able to reciprocate.

Torry Bend transforms this almost-true story into a constantly shifting landscape of city life. The story finds its shape with live puppetry, intricate models, photo-motion video and a collage of shifting scenery all layered into a performance space only slightly bigger than an oven. With dreamlike video designed by Raquel Salvatella de Prada, a gritty soundscape, and live puppetry, the performance offers a voyage into the psychological and physical workings of a large city.

Called "strange and beautiful...there's always something wonderful to look at" by the Chicago Reader, THE PAPER HAT GAME converts the urban landscape into a miniature world of wonder.

The puppeteers for THE PAPER HAT GAME are Angela Olson, Steve Ackerman, Yoko Myoi, Drina Dunlap, and Alex Young. Sarah Krainin is the understudy.

Joining Raquel Salvatella de Prada (video) on the design team are Colbert Davis and Matt Hubbs (sound design) and Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew (lighting design). The production stage manger is Luisa Sanchez.

THE PAPER HAT GAME is part of 3-Legged Dog's Artist Residency program.

Torry Bend (creator/director) is a set designer, puppet artist and Assistant Professor of the practice at Duke University. She created and directed the toy theater piece The Paper Hat Game, Manbites Dog Theater and Duke University, Durham, NC, The Great Small Works Toy Theater Festival, Brooklyn, NY, The Den theater, Chicago, IL and Open Eye Figure Theater, Minneapolis, MN; Nesting: Great Small Works International Toy Theater Festival, NY, The Port City Puppetry Festival, NC, Douglas Paasch Puppet Festival '13, Seattle and Open Eye Figure Theater, Minneapolis, MN. The Elephant, premiered at Disney Music Hall's International Toy Theater Festival 2008 and performed with Jumbo Shrimp Circus, Los Angeles. She created and directed Loser in 2007, Prague, New York, Minneapolis and Los Angeles.