2021 National Puppetry Conference

string theory - by nehprii amenii

Calling on all rhythm makers, musicians, movers, artisans, digital artists, story-tellers, doll-makers, puppeteers—and those who have maybe never seen themselves as so before!

Artists from various disciplines and all levels of experience within puppetry arts are invited to apply to be a part of an experimental ensemble for the making of a new work. As a part of this workshop participants will join in as artistic collaborators and learn the process of taking the various skills, materials, and personal experiences we possess, and using them to create and enact a story.

"String Theory" is about exploring and re-stitching the seeming disconnect between black peoples and this thing called “puppetry.” For this work, I am inspired by the research of Dr. Paulette Richards and her theories that during the enslavement of African peoples – while no longer allowed to own objects—African performance objects and relics had to be absorbed into sound. This workshop will explore that theory while aiming to reattach these missing ancestral puppet strings and expand our current thinkings of the word “puppetry.” I am also inspired by the work of Hanne Tierney and her process of “puppeteering at a distance.” Thus, this virtual workshop will also serve as a means of delving further into the current need and possibilities of puppeteering at a distance.

My work is based in what I call “Creative Anthropology.” The same way an archeological restoration artist uses chemicals and swabs to preserve and care for cultural objects, I use the imagination, puppetry, storytelling, and personal narrative in an attempt to restore what has been damaged in humanity. At this point in time, I am particularly interested in the excavation and reconstruction of African peoples of the diaspora who have gone through a unique process of cultural erasure. As a means of creating a safe and authentic space for this work to take place, this strand is reserved for applicants who identify as being a member of the Black/African-Diaspora. Learn More Here