The International Puppet Fringe Festival returns to New York City August 9.
Organized by Teatro SEA, Grupo Morán, and the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Education Center, the Festival continues through August 13 on the Lower East Side. The festival, which is the only international festival dedicated to puppetry, features a diverse lineup of performers from all over the world.
Performing troupes include Teatro SEA (USA), Yael Rasooly (Israel), Puppet Beings Theater (Taiwan), Maskhunt/Deborah Hunt (Puerto Rico/New Zealand), Scapegoat Carnivale (Canada), Lumiato Teatro de Formas Animades (Brazil), Treasure Chest Theatre (Hong Kong/USA), Fernán Cardama (Argentina), Tholpavakoothu & Puppet Centre (India), Junktown Duende (Puerto Rico/USA), Boxcutter Collective (USA), Wonderspark Puppets (USA), Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre Mobile (USA), and Nappy’s Puppets/Jim Napolitano (USA), with additional troupes from Cuba, Colombia, Chile.
“We are delighted to welcome back the International Puppet Fringe Festival, which this year will honor New York City’s most renowned puppet master and founder of the Village Halloween Parade, Ralph Lee, who passed away in May,” said Anne del Castillo, commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. “Now in its third year, the week-long festival invites audiences of all ages to celebrate the art of puppetry in this one-of-a-kind experience that defines our city as a global creative capital.”
The festival begins August 9 with a mini Halloween procession modeled after Lee's legendary parade. Two special exhibitions of Lee’s work will be held in the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center throughout the festival, featuring a mixture of art pieces and rare photographs.
All Puppet Fringe performances are free of charge, with different events offered daily. For more information, visit PuppetFringeNYC.com.
