Dec 13–Dec 29
Jan 08–Mar 09
Leonardo!

Minneapolis, MN

Jan 25–Feb 16
The Magic City

Chicago, IL

Mar 01–Mar 02
The Magic City

Costa Mesa, CA

Mar 28–Apr 06
Leonardo!

Washington, D.C.

Jul–Dec 2021

2021 / 2022
date
production
location
ticketing
Aug 27—Oct 31

Candyman

Now Streaming!

Oscar winner Jordan Peele unleashes a fresh take on the blood-chilling urban legend that your friend’s older sibling probably told you about at a sleepover: Candyman. Rising filmmaker Nia DaCosta (Little Woods) directs this contemporary incarnation of the cult classic featuring shadow puppetry by Manual Cinema.  more info

Sep 03—Sep 04

No Blue Memories

Worcester, MA (FREE!)
Arts Transcending Borders, College of the Holy Cross

THE LIFE OF GWENDOLYN BROOKS

No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks brings to life the story of one of Chicago’s most beloved figures. She was an icon, a poet laureate, and a Pulitzer Prize winner—but she was also a treasured educator and mentor to the countless writers and children who knew her as their very own “Miss Brooks.” Weaving together poetry, storytelling, sound design, original music, and striking visuals, No Blue Memories is an exploration of Brooks’s beloved city and a story of how she navigated identity, craft, and politics over the course of one of the most remarkable careers in American literary history. The performance combines intricate paper puppetry, live actors working in shadow, and an original score for an unforgettable multi-media experience.  more info

Sep 04
Sat
7:30 pm–9 pm
Sep 03
Fri
7:30 pm–9 pm
Oct 31
Sun

Frankenstein

Berkeley, CA
Cal Performances
3 pm–4:15 pm

Love, loss, and creation merge in unexpected ways as Manual Cinema presents its thrilling version of the classic Gothic tale Frankenstein. The Chicago-based performance collective imaginatively combines shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, sound effects, and live music in haunting shows like nothing else you’ve ever seen.   more info

Nov 13
Sat

Living Room Tour

Chicago, IL
Manual Cinema Studios
5:30pm–8:30pm

We're hosting a Living Room Tour Nov. 13 to support the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival! Support the fest by purchasing a ticket that includes guest artist puppetry performances and refreshments! Plus you get to hang out in our beautiful new studio space in Pilsen. The event will be following CDC social distancing guidelines at the time. The funds raised support The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Limited space available. Reserve your seats today!  more info

Dec 16
Thu

Facebook LIVE Virtual Talkback

7pm–7:45pm
  more info

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