If you’re not aware, that’s the address for the Information and Registration Web Sites for the 2015 National Puppetry Festival of The Puppeteers of America. On this site you will learn more about the Performances that are committed to the Festival roster, to date, Workshop offerings, the Professional Day for Teaching Artists and Therapists, Critical Exchange, Reel Puppetry, The 2015 Festival Fringe, Late Night Events, 6+ Exhibits, the Parade and more.
This Web Site should be considered a living, growing announcement. As we continue to negotiate with artists, make arrangements for facilities and equipment and plan for all contingencies, information will be added, adjusted and updated. We expect to have several major announcements as the calendar moves forward. Check back to the site frequently and join us on FaceBook at Puppeteers of America 2015 National Festival at UConn for the most current information.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Registration is well underway. We are pleased with the number of PofA members and non-members who have already registered. It is important for you to know that the Registration Fees will increase on February 1st, and again on April 1st. We encourage you to register early, both for the savings and room selections.
We are offering several options for dining. One possibility is to take the full Meal Plan in the dining hall, which offers a wide variety of selections for each meal. However, it is also possible to purchase meals à la carte in the dining hall or from the myriad of dining choices in the new Storrs Center, which is literally across the street from many of our South Campus venues. www.storrscenter.com
The campus of the University of Connecticut is beautiful in the summer and very walkable. The different elevations of the campus have been carefully landscaped with gentle walking slopes and the ability to use an elevator to change levels.
Many of the Festival sites (dorms, dining hall, hotel, workshops, two theaters, four exhibits and parking) are located on South Campus. Other sites (two theaters and two exhibits) are located on North Campus. There will be shuttle bus service between venues, as well as several vans to assist those needing support. Please let us know of any special needs as you register.
SPECIAL GUESTS, PERFORMANCES,
WORKSHOPS & MORE!
The National Festival will be enhanced with the presence of Special Guests. Among them will be Caroll and Debbie Spinney, Chuck McCann and Peter Schumann! The 2015 Puppet Festival Fringe Sub-Festival will provide the opportunity for you to share your self-produced show or installation with the festival community. After hour events will include a Festival Pub in close proximity to the theater hosting Pot Pourri, The National Puppetry Slam and Late Night with Eugene O’Neill.
Festival attendees will see all of the exceptional afternoon and evening performances that have been invited to the event. Mornings and Late Afternoons, however, are where choices will need to be made.
In the Mornings, there are several different events taking place: Festival Workshops will be offered each morning, Tuesday through Friday, at 9:00 and 10:30; The Critical Exchange will be a series of discussions, on selected topics, among practitioners, critics and scholars, which is being presented Monday afternoon and every morning, Tuesday through Friday; and Reel Puppetry: Craft on the Silver Screen will also be presented each morning, Tuesday through Friday and again each late afternoon, Monday through Friday.
As you are registering for the Festival, you will be asked to make choices of the Workshops that you would like to attend. Please consider all of these morning options and choose carefully.
In addition to Reel Puppetry, late afternoons will feature Puppeteers of America’s Membership, Regional and Guild meetings and UNIMA-U.S.A.’s Membership meeting. You will also have the opportunity to visit the six Festival-related exhibits: The Festival Exhibit in Jorgensen Gallery, The 50th Anniversary of The Bread and Puppet Company in the Benton Art Museum, Creations of UConn Alumni at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, Puppetry and the Contemporary Artist in the Contemporary Art Gallery, Children’s Literature and Human Rights in the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center and The Fettig Project in the Fine Arts Building.
Surround all of these these events with 4 professional theaters, transportation available between easily walkable venues, award-winning dining services, comfortable accommodations, a recently developed downtown with various restaurants, shops and a puppet museum and a welcoming community that has been supporting the Puppet Arts for 50 years and you will understand why you need to come to Storrs, CT in August 2015.
BE A PART OF THE
2015 NATIONAL PUPPETRY FESTIVAL
A successful Festival runs on Good Intentions, Careful Planning, a Dedicated Staff, Amazing Talent, Excellent Facilities, Good Food, Appropriate Funding and Willing Volunteers. We’ll do our part. If you are interested in volunteering for any of the various positions of leadership and support, please inform us as you register.
The 2015 National Puppetry Festival is the kick-off celebration for the 50th Anniversary of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut. Dozens of events (forums, symposia and performances) are planned for academic year 2015/16. Come join us for the National Puppetry Festival of the Puppeteers of America August 10 – 16, 2015 and stay for the year!
We can’t wait to show you what we have in Storrs for you!
For the 2015 National Festival Planning Committee,
