The Puppet Fringe, the only international festival dedicated to puppets and puppets in the city, has just announced the dates of its third edition: from August 9 to 13.
Organized by Teatro SEA, Grupo Morán and the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center, the meeting will take place in different locations on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and will feature a diverse selection of artists from around the world, who will show art and puppet creativity.
Accompanying the SEA Theater, among the participating groups this year are: 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 Theater (Hong Kong/USA), Fernán Cardama (Argentina), Tholpavakoothu & Puppet Center (India), Junktown Duende (Puerto Rico/USA), among others.
“We are pleased to welcome you back to the Puppet Fringe International Puppet Festival, which this year will honor Ralph Lee, New York City’s most renowned master puppeteer and founder of the Village Halloween Parade, who passed away last month. May,” said Anne del Castillo, Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME).
A large part of Lee’s work was at the Cathedral of St. John The Divine, where he was artist-in-residence for many years.
“Despite his great talent, Ralph made no pretense,” says the Rev. Patrick Malloy, PhD, Dean of the Cathedral. “I loved his job; he loved to see the joy and wonder of the people before him, and he loved the cathedral. He was seeking the good of this great city, and in doing so, he became a part of it.”
The Puppet Fringe Puppet Festival will feature free performances and events for the public every day for one week.
“Get ready to witness an impressive display of marvelous puppetry and talent at the 2023 Puppet Fringe Puppet Festival. Under the playful theme of ‘Halloween in August,’ we will pay homage to Master Ralph Lee. It will be a fascinating event, where our audiences will take a fascinating journey to a special place full of magic and fantasy”, says Dr. Manuel Morán, founder of the festival.
For more information visit:puppetfringenyc.com