This festival is the first of its kind in New York State. National and internatiuonal artists will gather to perform and discuss emerging issues in this unique art form.

Schedule: http://www.newyorkstatepuppetfestival.org/schedule.html 

The Art of Dan Hurlin: Dan Hurlin is a multidisciplinary artist, puppeteer, designer, and director, and has been a pioneering artist in contemporary American puppetry for the last thirty years.  This exhibit chronicles Dan’s work from the early 1990’s to present, including sketches, research, models, films, and puppets, from his seminal pieces, including The Day The Ketchup Turned Blue, Hiroshima Maiden, Disfarmer, Demolishing Everything with Amazing Speed, Erractics, and more.  Get a glimpse of an artist’s process as he moves to product in this very special exhibition. (Various Dates; Arts Council for Wyoming County, 31 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Free

Gepetto: Extraordinary Extremities by Concrete Temple Theatre: Acclaimed performer Carlo Adinolfi tells the story of a puppet-maker and recent widower, Geppetto, as he attempts to perform the mythical love story of Perseus and Andromeda by himself for the first time, scrambling to devise stories, characters, and even limbs. Drawing inspiration from Pinocchio, The Old Man and the Sea and the true story of double-amputee Hugh Herr’s incredible return to rock climbing, Geppetto: Extraordinary Extremities is an exploration of resilience and ingenuity in the face of loss and change. Geppetto: Extraordinary Extremities has been described as “charming” (The New Yorker), “dazzling and engaging” (The Village Voice), “transcends simple human emotion and stokes the imagination with its art and artistry” (nytheatre.com), “frees us with grace and whimsy and intelligence” (NY Theatre Wire), and “celebrates human ingenuity” (The New York Times). (6/15 at 6pm, 6/16 at 6pm, 6/17 at 2pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: All Ages/Family Show; $15

Peter and the Wolf by Genesee Dance Theatre: Written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936, the score for Peter and the Wolf was conceived as a means for familiarizing children with the instruments of the orchestra. The story follows Peter, a young boy living with his paranoid grandfather, as he explores the natural world near his home--both the pleasant and the dangerous. Genesee Dance Theatre's adaptation uses a fusion of dance, mime and puppetry to bring the story to life. (6/19 at 6pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: All Ages; $10

Untold Stories from the War With the Newts by Sam Jay Gold: Untold Stories From The War with the Newts is a work-in-progress for the end of the world. After initial development through the Residencies@37 program in Perry, NY this past February, Sam Jay Gold and his team of artists are thrilled to be returning to the New York State Puppet Festival with a full-length performance. Inspired by a classic Czech novel, Untold Stories From The War with the Newts wryly recounts an alternate history of the 1930s, in which the western world discovers, exploits, educates, arms, and is ultimately overthrown by a species of highly intelligent newt. It's a story of empathy, transformation, and competing human values, brought to life through Balinese-inspired shadow puppetry, Czech-style marionettes, original music, and of course, newts. (Thu 6/21 at 8pm, Fri 6/22 at 8pm, Sat 6/23 at 2pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: For Audiences ages 10 and up; $15

The Marooned by Josh Rice: The Marooned is an absurdest puppet theatre piece, about a man stranded on the rooftop of a submerged house in the middle of a vast, empty seascape, and the day-to-day doldrums of his life on an island, as he daydreams of becoming a balloon.  When hope is lost, what is waiting on the other side?  Using Bunraku-style puppetry, a table-top toy theatre set, live-feed projection, and sound design the piece explores themes of isolation, the enormity of emptiness, and the how we impact—mostly negatively—our natural world. (Performed in conjunction with The Else; Fri 6/15 at 9pm, Sat 6/16 at 2pm & 9pm, Sun 6/17 at 6pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: For Audiences 13 and up; $15 (includes the Else)

The Else by Josh Marcks: The Else is an original puppetry performance that explores how depression and grief are reminders that we are still alive, using Bunraku-style and shadow puppetry. A young woman comes face-to-face with her depression and must choose between denying or embracing it.  All the while, a dark creature lurks beneath, waiting for its chance to steal her away. (Performed in conjunction with The Marooned; Fri 6/15 at 9pm, Sat 6/16 at 2pm & 9pm, Sun 6/17 at 6pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: For Audiences 13 and up; $15 (includes the Marooned)

Japanese Puppet Master Koryu Nishikawa V: KORYU NISHIKAWA V is the fifth generation headmaster of the 160-year-old traditional puppet theatre company, Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo, a national asset of intangible folk culture by the Japanese government.  Kuruma ningyo means “cart puppet.”  Come witness a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a living puppet master perform three traditional kuruma ningyo stories with his 150-year-old puppets--the Sanbaso, the River Woman, and the Spanish Flamenco. (Thu 6/22 at 6pm, Fri 6/23 at 6pm, Sat 6/24 a 6pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: All Ages; $20.

Place (No Place) by Lisa Gonzalez and Tom Lee: Place (No) Place is a dance puppetry performance about our memories of the places we come from and how they haunt and inspire our journeys through this world. Told though sensuous movement and vivid puppetry by dancer Lisa Gonzales and puppet artist Tom Lee, the piece invites the audience to consider their own memories and experience of home. At the heart of the design of the show is a miniature house, a “memory palace” filled with images and sounds, that is explored with a small camera throughout the evening. This blend of dance and cinema, puppetry and found objects, asks questions about the enduring power of place. (Sat 6/23 at 8pm, Sun 6/24 at 6pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530)  Tickets: For Audiences 13 and up; $15

Tomte adapted & designed by Tom Lee: Tomte is a Swedish gnome who takes care of a family and their farm, though they never see him.  On a cold winter night, Tomte teaches us about the importance of kindness and looking after all living things.  Adapted from the short story by Astrid Lindgren and the poem by Harald Wiberg. (Sun 6/24 at 2pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: For Young Audiences & Families; $10

Marionettes for Beginners with Concrete Temple Theatre: Concrete Temple Theatre leads participants in assembling their own simple marionette puppet. After assemblage, participants will practice basic manipulation and then craft their own original play. The workshop is open to individuals as well as families and couples. (Sun 6/17 from 10a-12pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: All ages; $25

TRAVERSE - an interactive public installation with pageant-style puppets with Sally Goers Fox & Josh Rice: Traverse is an interactive public art installation exploring the theme of traversing a challenging landscape with large, pageant-style puppets.  Come and help bring the winter wind, or a child-giant, to life.  Add your personal touch to an environment that will travel and be on display all across Wyoming County.  Be part of the initial phase of this international collaboration between artists Sally Fox (Australia), Chelsea Warren (Minneapolis, MN), Josh Rice (Perry, NY), and the greater Wyoming County community. (Sun 6/24 from 10am-12pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: Ages 10 and up; Free

Sacred Slapstick in the Shadows: Balinese Wayang Kulit in Practice and Performance with Sam Jay Gold: Wayang Kulit is a form of traditional shadow puppetry from Bali and other parts of Indonesia that brings together elements from the islands' rich cultural traditions: narrative, music, ritual, philosophy, and comedy. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about the characters, stories, puppet construction, performance techniques, music, and theatrical philosophy surrounding this 1000 year old tradition. Join Sam Jay Gold, co-founder of the Indonesia-American shadow theater collective, The Brothers Čampur, and his collection of 50+ Balinese puppets for a deep dive into all things Wayang Kulit! (Sat 6/23 from 10am-12pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: Ages 10 and up; $25

Master Class with Koryu Nishikawa V: Come experience the breadth of knowledge in traditional saninzukai (three-person manipulation) and kuruma ningyo (cart puppetry) puppetry techniques with fifth-generation puppet master, Koryu Nishikawa V.  Koryu-san is an internationally-renowned puppeteer and teacher, and will share his expertise, insight, and enthusiasm with students of all skill levels.  No prior puppetry experience required. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study with a living puppet master. (Wed 6/20 from 6-7:30pm; Theatre@37, 37 South Main Street, Perry, NY 14530) Tickets: Ages 10 and up; $25

Directions to the festival: http://www.newyorkstatepuppetfestival.org/directions.html