Radicackalacky

In honor of twenty years of larger than life puppetry in the Triangle, Paperhand Puppet Intervention presents: Radicackalacky! A festival of radical puppetry. Two nights of performances feature puppeteers from throughout the Southeast with an array of puppetry styles, including table top monsters, life-sized paper sculptures, and reverential shadow puppetry accompanied by song. The festival, which also includes two days of public workshops and a late night cabaret, is a celebration of how puppetry can be used to affect radical change.

Admission is $15 or pay-what-you-can.

Artist group: abandoned ships

Artist bio: abandoned ships is puppet artist Milissa Orzolek and the talented beings she has been able to gather together. In the past, Milissa has worked with Cirque Du Soliel and Wayne White and many other companies in Detroit, New Orleans, and Durham, North Carolina. She has performed in slams and festivals around the country. In 2016, abandoned ships received a Jim Henson Foundation Family grant for its original production What Keeps Us.

Performing: Waiting: Two experimental Puppet Tales (30 min)

Show Description: “Waiting: Two experimental Puppet Tales” consists of “Insomnia” and “In the morning.” “Insomnia” is a table-top and object theatre piece about the intimacy of and longing for sleep. In the morning is a table-top show about the need and struggle to believe in a better tomorrow.

Artist: Edwin Salas

Artist Bio: Edwin Salas is a puppeteer and performer with a background in dance from Mexico City currently based in Asheville, NC. He has toured all over the world, and was most recently seen at the National Puppetry Festival in Minneapolis.

Performing: Frijolito and The Orange Monster (45 min)

Show Description: Our hero called “Frijolito,” which means “Tiny Bean,” is second-generation Mexican immigrant in the USA. Made in the style of glove puppet influenced by the tradition of the Comedia del Arte le Guarattele Napolitane from Italy, this puppet show follows Frijolito as he attempts to rescue his girlfriend from an ICE detention center, confronts racism, and cheats death.

Artist: Toybox Theater

Artist Bio: Toybox Theater is a multi-award-winning company, performing for audiences of all ages for 20 years. Awards include: “Fan Favorite and Best Performance at the National Puppetry Festival, funding from the Jim Henson Foundation, and a UNIMA Citation for excellence in The Art of Puppetry, the highest award given in the field.

Performing: Toybox Theater (45 min)

Show Description: America’s favorite cartoon witch blends stand up comedy, deft character acting, and puppetry for one unique performance. His work runs the gamut of emotions but will always leave you in tears.