The Forest of the Witch To Be Presented at The Puppet Co.

Ayhan Hulagu will appear as a Mainstage Guest Artist at The Puppet Co. throughout May with his internationally acclaimed solo production The Forest of the Witch, a contemporary interpretation of traditional Turkish shadow theatre. The production opens on May 2 and will run for 30 performances through May 24, bringing a rare 700-year-old theatrical tradition to audiences in the Washington, D.C. area.

Produced by the U.S. Karagöz Theatre Company, The Forest of the Witch draws on the centuries-old Karagöz shadow theatre tradition, recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Inspired by Muhittin Sevilen’s traditional play The Bloody Poplar, the production blends classical Ottoman shadow theatre techniques with contemporary storytelling, humor, and modern cultural references, creating an accessible and visually striking experience for today’s audiences.

Performed entirely in English, the solo production is written, designed, and performed by Ayhan Hulagu himself. Each puppet is handcrafted from camel or water buffalo hide using traditional methods and animated behind an illuminated screen, following authentic Karagöz performance techniques in which all characters are voiced by a single performer.

Since moving to the United States in 2017, Hulagu has toured nearly 40 U.S. states and presented his work across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Africa. The Forest of the Witch has appeared at numerous international festivals and institutions including the National Puppetry Festival, NYC Puppet Fringe, Stanford University, MIT, Harvard, and Princeton. This season, the production joins the repertoire of The Puppet Co., one of America’s most respected puppetry theatres.

The Puppet Co.
May 2 – May 24, 2026

Thursdays & Fridays – 10:30 AM
Saturdays & Sundays – 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM