PAPERHAND PUPPET INTERVENTION
CREATING. INSPIRING. RESISTING.
NOW IN OUR 19th YEAR!
Thank you for making In the Heart of the Fire an amazing summer success!
Paperhand Puppet Intervention returns for their 19th annual puppet pageant of unlikely proportions. Mask and dance, shadow puppetry and stilt walking unite as cardboard comes to life and paper-mache’ flies to the music of the band.
This year’s show, “In the Heart of the Fire” explores the paradoxical gift of fire. We ask, “What makes us who we are? Is it our cleverness, the machines we forge and the towers we build? Or is it the stories we share and the fire in our hearts?” We tell tales of fire, of giants and trolls, of trickster creators and how we came to be human.
Paperhand’s yearly spectacle tells stories of the human heart, illuminates and incorporates myths from around the world, and inspires young and old alike. Our shows have become a tradition for thousands across the Triangle and Triad and, we hope, they help to nurture connection within our community and the Earth itself. We try to present an alternative to the discouraging news of the day while striving to make our world a better place for all.
Thank you to everyone who made our Kickstarter campaign a success this year – over 300 donors contributed more than $20,000 to get “In the Heart of the Fire” off the ground!
Want to be a part of the summer show? Join us as a performer volunteer or a front of house volunteer — fill out this form to get started! We need your help!
A humongous THANK YOU to all of our donors, Patreon supporters, and everyone who helped fund our 2018 Kickstarter campaign! THANK YOU for keeping Paperhand Puppet Intervention alive and thriving!
Puppet Intervention is a puppet theater company based out of Saxapahaw, NC. For over eighteen years we have been creating original large-scale puppet extravaganzas complete with giant puppets, masks, shadow puppets, stilt
dancing, painted flats, live music and so much more to help promote social change, peace and hope for a better world.
Our shows tell stories of the human heart, illuminate myths from around the world, and inspire young and old alike through their unique brand of creative expression. We create extraordinary puppets that entertain, bring joy, instigate wonder, and inspire contemplation about the incredible world around us.
Our 18th annual, 2017 Summer Show was a huge success!
Of Wings and Feet
Giant Tortoise from Paperhand’s 2017 Summer Show “Of Wings and Feet”, Photo by Lee Capps
Paperhand Puppet Intervention presented its 18th annual giant puppet theatre pageant “OF WINGS AND FEET” in summer 2017. Thousands of audience members joined us for a whimsical, paradoxical juxtaposition of myriad forms and flights of fancy.
Paperhand fans young and old spent an enchanted evening discovering what it means to be human…when you’re a bird. Or, a turtle. We helped humanity find its unique place in the world by joining the Circus of Beginnings and Ends. We witnessed the magic and mystery of the living land, sea, and sky in an epic spectacle of struggle and resistance for our times. With an all new original score by an all-star Paperhand band (with Shana Tucker, Beverly Botsford, Jonathan Henderson, Will Ridenour, Quran Karriem, “pro” Pete Lewis), there was so much to see, hear, and feel in our 18th annual giant puppet extravaganza for all!
Using masks, big puppets, stilts, painted cardboard, shadows and illumination, Paperhand explores story, reflects on life’s mysteries, deepens our connection, and inspires young and old. Stay tuned for more information about how you can help us create our 19th annual summer show in 2018!
Living Land, Sea and Sky from Paperhand’s 2017 Summer Show “Of Wings and Feet”, photo by Lee Capps
SUMMER SHOW
“The Painted Bird” 2014. Photo by Joshua Gira.
Each year we write, create, build and perform a large summer pageant-play-extravaganza. These performances last about an hour, include an ensemble of professional musicians who create an original score of music and involve a cast of puppeteers, which has included as many as twenty-eight performers. Our summer extravaganza is attended by over 18,000 people!
Through our annual summer performance, Paperhand Puppet Intervention helps create a community that shares picnic blankets, ideas, experiences and a love of wonder.
Take a look at our past Summer Shows here.
From Paperhand’s 2016 summer show “The Beautiful Beast”. Photo by Lee Capps.
WE ARE ACTIVE YEAR ROUND!
Throughout the year we are deeply steeped in our community and take part in public celebrations, parades, weddings, civil support (“interventions”) and general acts of vivacity! We also create learning opportunities, host workshops and spread knowledge of the great world of puppetry!
Centro’s annual Day of the Dead 5k & Street Festival
PAPERHAND IS AVAILABLE FOR…
Parades * Puppet Roving * Events * Celebrations * Puppet Rental * Puppet Installations * Performances * Collaborations * Commissions * Workshops * Educational Opportunities * Residencies
Visit our Hire Us page for more details!
IntraHealth International, SwitchPoint Artivism Crawl
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Come along with us on our puppet adventure!
The puppets don’t sleep, so keep in touch with us and join us year round as we bring puppet love to the world: parades, performances, art installations and some years even a winter show!
“A Drop in the Bucket”. Photo by Lee Capps
OUR FULL YEAR CALENDAR
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Thank you, thank you, for making this world a better place by bringing so much joy, inspiration and creative thinking as we watched fabulous productions. All ages share this together, and that’s another bonus!
Robert and Janice
Marveling for ten years with you
