Dramaturges, artistic directors, theatre educators and facilitators and other performing arts professionals are invited to take part in the Hi PerformanCZ: Visitors’ Programme of Puppet Productions. The programme will take place on November 6 – 9, 2025 in Prague in cooperation with the One Flew over the Pupeteer’s Nest festival organised by the Czech UNIMA Centre and Loutkář/Puppeteer Magazine.
Read MoreA stunning collection of extravagant szopki puppet theaters in Poland.
Read MoreLize Puppet Art Colony (Taiwan) Artist in Residence Open Call 2026
Read MoreA dandelion blooming out of a crack in the sidewalk.
Read MoreA rare look into contemporary West African masquerade.
Read MoreAt a historical moment framed by international conflicts, it was heartening to know that puppetry continues to be an artistic field of generosity in which people work with goodwill towards mutual understanding and collaboration.
Read More
July 22 @ 7pm
https://puppet.org/programs/life-legacy-of-richard-hunt/
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Richard Hunt
Virtual Panel Discussion
Presented by Jessica Max Stein, author of Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography, with Rob Mills (Junior Gorg from Fraggle Rock and Ludo from Labyrinth), Gord Robertson (Pa Gorg from Fraggle Rock and Falkor from The Neverending Story III), and Lawrence Mirkin (Producer, Fraggle Rock and The Jim Henson Hour)
Celebrate the life and legacy of Richard Hunt, the renowned Muppeteer known for performances as Scooter, Janice, Statler, Beaker, and many more. Join us for a virtual discussion honoring the joyful life and creative legacy of beloved puppeteer Richard Hunt. This special event will feature Jessica Max Stein, author of Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography (Rutgers University Press, 2024), in conversation with Rob Mills and Gord Robertson, performers from Fraggle Rock, and Lawrence Mirkin, producer of the series.
Known for his friendly disposition and infectious humor, Hunt was a cherished member of the Henson team and a key contributor to the spirit of “Affectionate Anarchy” that defined the Muppets. The evening will include a reading of select excerpts from Stein’s biography, followed by a lively conversation reflecting on Hunt’s work, personality, and enduring impact.
July 27th @ 5pm
https://puppet.org/programs/bts-with-shadow-girls-cult/
Behind the Scenes with Shadow Girls Cult
Virtual Behind the Scenes
Presented by Shadow Girls Cult of Seattle, WA
Known for their surreal, hand-crafted visuals and experimental storytelling, performance troupe Shadow Girls Cult has developed a unique technique that fuses vintage overhead projectors, layered paper cutouts, live puppetry, and analog film effects to create haunting, dreamlike shadowscapes in real time.
This live-streamed event offers a rare demonstration of these signature techniques, providing participants with insight into how the collective blurs the line between live theater and animation. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the group’s creative process, artistic influences, and the making of UNRAVELING, as well as get a first look at their setup in advance of the performances from August 13 to 17.
We’re happy to share that the talks from the HERITAGE Commission Conference are now available to watch online!
You can access them via the following link:
🎥 https://vimeo.com/showcase/11717246
UNIMA Brazil invites you to share your research and reflections on the rich and multifaceted relationship between puppet theatre (in its various forms: puppet theatre, object theatre, mask theatre, and shadow theatre) and its profound connections with rituals, festivities, and community dynamics.
Your work may explore, but is not limited to:
The historical and anthropological roots of puppet theatre in ritual and festive contexts.
The presence and significance of puppets, objects, masks, and shadows in ceremonies, celebrations, and cultural traditions.
The role of puppet theatre as a tool for expressing community identity and strengthening social bonds.
Case studies investigating the function of puppet theatre in contemporary festivals and popular manifestations.
Analyses on the use of puppet theatre in educational, therapeutic, and social intervention projects within the community.
Theoretical and methodological perspectives for the analysis of the interaction between puppet theatre and ritual and community contexts.
Reflections on the evolution and new possibilities of puppet theatre in dialogue with the demands and expressions of contemporary communities.
The representations of ethnic-racial identities in puppet theatre in ritual and festive contexts.
The role of puppet theatre in the preservation, celebration, and transmission of cultures and knowledge.
Case studies investigating the function of puppet theatre in festivals, rituals, and celebrations.
Reflections on research methodologies and ethical approaches in the study of the relationships between puppet theatre, rituals, and festivities.
Puppet theatre as a ritual and community expression in the northeast and north of Brazil: popular tradition and cultural resistance.
We encourage the submission of original articles, translations, interviews, and unpublished reports that deepen the knowledge about this fascinating intersection between art, culture, and society.
We look forward to your contributions to illuminate the stage of celebration and its intrinsic links with puppet theatre and community life. The submission guidelines and our article template can be found on the "author guidelines" page.
Submission Guidelines: https://www.revistas.udesc.br/index.php/moin/about/submissions#authorGuidelines
Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025
the Winter 2026 issue, free and AVAILABLE TO all!
