Our 25th Anniversary Show The Gift will perform from
August 15 - September 28
at the Forest Theatre
in Chapel Hill, NC
Tickets are on sale NOW!
NEW DATE- Salem Band Concert
The show previously scheduled for May 27 is postponed to August 12, due to rain.
Paperhand Puppet Intervention is back by popular demand and performing with Salem Band on our season-opening concert! If you haven’t witnessed the puppet artistry of PPI, you are in for a treat: https://www.paperhandpuppet.org/ Don’t miss this creative artistic and musical collaboration!
Music from Encanto, Fiddler on the Roof, Exodus, and Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as Greensleeves, jazz and swing, marches - and more. Featuring Principal Euphonium player Jeff Whitsett on Karl King’s Golden Dragon Overture.
Pre-concert music by the Salem Band Tuba Quartet at 6:45 pm.
2025 Summer Performance: The Gift
Stories move on the water. The water moves in all things. Life moves in dynamic patterns that weave like currents and rich tapestries that shape who we are. Are we individual drops in this vast ocean of miraculous possibility? Or are we the ocean itself: whole and moving as one, expressing the infinite flow of the universe? We may sometimes fall short of such states of grace. We readily receive the gifts the world provides with no explicit expectations in return. Yet reciprocity could very well be our best pathway to survival. We can decide to give back, and now is the time. We were built for this. Made for it.
We humbly request the gift of your presence as we seek this balance. Let the Grandmothers tell you a story that you didn’t know you needed. Let the water protectors and heroines of justice sing you a song of resilience. Let us share a moment of connection, wonder and gratitude. Let us create this, our future, together -- through art!
Join us in honoring the rare gift that is life on Earth as we celebrate Paperhand’s 25th year! Come and experience the magic of giant puppets, masks, stilts, painted cardboard and cloth, illuminated puppets and shadows all set to original live music in a performance for all ages. See you at the show!
Ancient Arts Festival
Hosted by 401 Tattoo and Antiquities. Formally TattooFest Raleigh.
2nd annual event hosted in Pittsboro N.C. Featuring live tattooing by local and out of state artist. Tattoo contest/Awards.
Oddity and macabre art vendors.
Masquerade custume contest/Award
Interactive and showcasing parades by:
Paperhand Puppet Intervention
Live Music
Live painting
Food trucks and more
2025 Fall Performance: The Gift
Paperhand Puppet Project returns to Asheville, NC for 4 shows - 2 matinees and 2 evening shows
November 7 at 7:30PM
November 8 at 3PM and 7:30PM
November 9 at 3PM
Stories move on the water. The water moves in all things. Life moves in dynamic patterns that weave like currents and rich tapestries that shape who we are. We may sometimes fall short of such states of grace. We readily receive the gifts the world provides with no explicit expectations in return. Yet reciprocity could very well be our best pathway to survival. We can decide to give back, and now is the time. We were built for this. Made for it.
We humbly request the gift of your presence as we seek this balance. Let the Grandmothers tell you a story that you didn’t know you needed. Let the water protectors and heroines of justice sing you a song of resilience. Let us share a moment of connection, wonder and gratitude. Let us create this, our future, together -- through art!
Join us in honoring the rare gift that is life on Earth as we celebrate Paperhand’s 25th year! Come and experience the magic of giant puppets, masks, stilts, painted cardboard and cloth, illuminated puppets and shadows all set to original live music in a performance for all ages. See you at the show!
Festival for the Eno
Festival for the Eno benefits the Eno River Association, which protects the natural, cultural and historic resources of the Eno River basin in northern Durham and Orange counties.
We’ll be doing our annual puppet parade on July 4th at 12:45pm. This is a ticketed event, please come out and support the Eno River Association!
Greensboro Summer Solstice
The Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival began in 2005 as a group of creatives who came together to celebrate and promote the diversity of our community, the beauty of nature, and the power of the feminine spirit.
This is a ticketed event - free for 12 and under and $10 for everyone else.
OcraFolk Festival
Ocrafolk Festival features musicians, storytellers, artisans, and characters of Ocracoke Island and beyond who come together for one incredible weekend of performances and fun!
Schedule of the festival has yet to be released.
International Children's Day at City of Raleigh Museum
Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum in collaboration with Artist Studio Project Publishing invite you to:
Our 3rd Annual International Children’s Day.
This event is intended for children of all ages 0 - 110.
May 31st 2025 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
We all have an inner child and stories have a way of awakening the magic in all of us. Come join us for a free fun filled day of storytelling and magic for the whole family.
This is a FREE, bilingual event.
RESCHEDULED DATE: Artist Talk with Donovan Zimmerman at GreenHIll Center for NC Art
Join us in the gallery for an artist talk with Donovan Zimmerman of Paperhand the renowned North Carolina puppetry company known for their larger-than-life creations. Hear about their creative process, the inspiration behind their work, and their dedication to bringing art to the community. Free and open to the public.
Admission is free!
GSO Silent Book Club at GreenHill: Books & Giants
he GSO Silent Book Club (@silentbookclubgso) has been gathering since 2019, bringing together readers from across the community to bond over a shared love of books—no assigned reading, no pressure to talk (unless you want to). Everyone brings their own book, and we start with a quiet hour of reading, followed by relaxed conversation and connection.
We meet twice a month. Every second Sunday at Scuppernong Books in Greensboro and every last Thursday at varying locations in town. This special edition takes place inside the Paperhand Puppets exhibition at Greenhill Center, a magical space filled with the towering, whimsical creations of Donovan Zimmerman and Jan Berger.
GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art (200 N Davie St, Greensboro, NC 27401) Find parking + directions here
Thursday, May 29th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Silent reading begins at 6:15 PM
$5 per reader (to help cover the gallery reservation)
Chairs will be provided, but feel free to bring a cushion or blanket if you'd prefer to sit on the floor and get comfy among the puppets.
Bring your book, settle in, and enjoy a quiet evening of stories, community, and connection.
All readers welcome—just BYOB (Bring your own book!)
Disclaimer: The Paperhand crew will not be present for this event but we’re honored that events are being hosted in our gallery exhibition space at GreenHill.
Community Workdays - Volunteer At Our Studio on EVERY SATURDAY through July from 10am-5pm
Every Saturday from May - July, we open our studio up to volunteers to help us build out our show. All ages are welcome in the first few weeks - but keep in mind we do have some sharp and hot tools in our studio. After the first month or so, projects are meant more for older kids and adults. Drop in for as long as you’d like from 10am-5pm on Saturdays. There is no signup and no need to ask what day or time to come in, just drop in!
Please note that these workdays happen even when we have other things on our calendar.
Artisphere in Greenville, SC
Catch Paperhand roaming around Artisphere in Downtown Greenville, SC from May 9-11! Admission is FREE! More information here: https://artisphere.org/
Haw River Festival
The festival includes live music, a farmers market, a silent auction, a kayak raffle, and when weather permits – a river walk, river monitoring, and puppet parade!
Help us carry puppets in the parade!
Any donations collected will benefit Haw River Assembly.
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance - Happiness Parade
Join us for the puppet parade! Bring your noisemakers, wear your jazziest festival attire and prance along the parade with us. Led by The Paperhand Puppet Intervention and Bulltown Strutters, we journey through Shakori Hills celebrating life, love, beauty and PEACE! Parade starts at the Kids Area, Saturday 2pm and commences in the Dance Tent. Parade Prep, Kids Area, Saturday 12:30pm
We Are Here: Documentary Screening
Join us for a special screening of the acclaimed documentary We Are Here, celebrating the imaginative and transformative work of Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Admission is free- there will be a cash bar and snacks.
🎥 We Are Here (2021) is a documentary about artists trying to save the world. Set in 2019, it follows Paperhand Puppet Intervention as they prepare for their 20th season, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their fantastical creations, community-driven process, and the powerful messages behind their performances.
Directed by Marc Levy of THE MARCS
Filmed in Saxapahaw, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro, NC
Earth & Sky in Asheville (SOLD OUT)
Both shows are now SOLD OUT, thank you WNC!
PAPERHAND PUPPET PROJECT PRESENTS
EARTH & SKY – A Great Gathering For All Beings
Saturday April 26th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday April 27th at 2 p.m. (These dates were originally scheduled for November 9th and 10th, but were postponed due to recovery efforts in Western NC after Tropical Storm Helene)
The creatures of the world are on the move! They gather now to speak and find a way forward together. You are invited to join the solutionary movement towards collective liberation and survival. In the spirit of mutual respect, reciprocity and healing, we gather to inspire each other into the future we build. They, and we, welcome your presence, your attention and your curiosity.
Paperhand’s 24th annual giant puppet spectacle (Asheville premiere!) features giant puppets, masks, stilts, illuminated beings and shadow puppets. Don’t miss this great gathering for the ages.
There is no being, only being with.
Paperhand Parade at LeBauer Park in Greensboro
Join GreenHill and Paperhand for an interactive parade experience and early Earth Day celebration starting on the South Lawn in LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro and ending at GreenHill gallery.
Screening of Where Our Spirits Reside in Corvallis, Oregon
Organizer Emilie Ratcliff and Corvallis Experiments in Noise are organizing a screening of our 2023 production, Where Our Spirits Reside, in Corvallis, Oregon at Interzone! Doors open at 6:30pm PT and the show starts at 7PM PT. This event is open to all ages and there’s a suggested donation of $5-10 which will be donated directly to Paperhand.
Please note that no staff from Paperhand nor our puppets (in real-time) will be there, but we’re happy to see our work being shown across the country.
Piedmont Arts Family Day in Martinsville, VA
Enjoy a day of fun as Paperhand Puppet Intervention brings a giant puppet parade to Family Day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, April 12 in the Art Garden. Admission for this event is FREE.
This one-of-a-kind puppet theater company creates a gigantic papier-mâché puppet extravaganza complete with live music and more. The group has been creating giant puppets, masks, shadow plays, and spectacle performances since 1997. They tell stories, beat drums and push boundaries to help make the world a better place. Their parades, pageants, and award-winning performances aim to be an inspiration, a call to action and a celebration for everyone to enjoy.
Kids can also take part in a puppet-making craft. This event is free and open to the public.
Beyond the Book Festival - Chapter 4: The Mystic Sea
Beyond The Book Children’s Book & Art Festival is a free outdoor family celebration of community, creativity, and storytelling. Discover author and illustrator workshops, interactive performances, collaborative art installations, creative crafts, talented vendors, artisan food, and inspiring entertainment. Join us for a day immersed in stories that will spark your imagination to experience children’s literature and art in a whole new way!
Beyond The Book Children’s Book & Art Festival is open to all with books & activities designed for all ages. This year's theme is Chapter 4: The Mystic Sea.
Entertainment includes Paperhand Puppet Intervention, One Tribe, Cirque de Vol, Maximum Magic, and an author Q & A.
TAG on Wheels Guided Tour of Of Wings and Feet Gallery at GreenHill
Join us for a special TAGonWheels event on March 28 as we take a creative journey to GreenHill Center for the Arts in Greensboro! We’ll enjoy an exclusive, private tour of their latest exhibition, “Of Wings and Feet: The World of PAPERHAND and Jeghetto’s Moving Sculptures.”
Experience the magic of large-scale puppetry and kinetic sculptures and discover the artistry behind these captivating creations. Whether you carpool with us or meet at GreenHill, this is an art adventure you won’t want to miss!
Public Opening of Paperhand Exhibit at GreenHill Center of NC Art in Greensboro
Join GreenHill for the public opening of Of Wings and Feet, an immersive celebration of puppetry. Be the first to experience this inspiring exhibition and explore the imaginative world of Paper Hand Puppet Intervention. Free and open to the public.
Gallery Exhibition in Greensboro: Of Wings & Feet: The World of Paperhand Puppet
Discover the artistry and impact of Paperhand Puppet Intervention at GreenHill. This exhibition showcases the work of the Graham, NC-based collective renowned for their innovative puppetry and unwavering commitment to social and environmental justice. Through large-scale installations and performances, Paperhand Puppet Intervention combines artistic expression and communal joy to captivate audiences.
See the GreenHill Center for NC Art Website for hours - admission is free to the gallery!
Giant Puppet Building Workshop in the DMV
Jan Burger, one of Paperhand’s founders and creative directors, will be conducting a workshop with St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Environmental Studies program this week. Join us all day or drop in on March 6-9 from 10am-8:30pm at St. Mary’s Hall at 47458 Trinity Church Rd.
PUPPETPALOOZA in Charlotte
Join us at ImaginOn on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 10:00am-4:30pm for our second annual puppetry festival! PuppetPalooza 2025 will be an all-day, non-stop, FREE, family-friendly event celebrating the joy and art of puppetry, and all ages are welcome.
Participating puppetry troops include Asheville Creative Arts, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Frontline Puppeteers, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Ed's Dinosaurs Live, FAB Puppetry, Grey Seal Puppets, InReach's Troupe 801, Jeghetto's Entertainment, The Lurnsters, Paperhand Puppets, Shepherd Shakespeare, and VisArt Video.
Shows will be running all day. Pop in for one or stay for them all, meet our giant roving puppets, explore our balcony exhibit of past puppets from Children's Theatre of Charlotte (CTC) shows, try your hand at puppet karaoke, make a sock puppet to take home with you, and make sure you join our puppet parade at 12:00!
Paperhand at Marbles Kids Museum
Witness the wild with Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Enjoy performances at 10 & 11:30am in Curiosity Square. Included with museum admission!
Dream Big Book Drive
Every year Book Harvest honors MLK Jr. by celebrating the power of community and our big dream of books and literacy for all kids with our biggest event of the year: Dream Big! The celebration is part book drive, part volunteer event, part community partner fair, part festival, and all party and fun!
Buffer Zone: New Year's Eve Party at The Fruit in Durham
Step into the in-between this New Year’s Eve. Across 2 levels and 5+ stages, explore a night of music, art, and unexpected moments.
This is a festival, co-curated by Morning Choir, Spark Entertainment, Paperhand Puppets, Camp Strung Cheese, and more of your (and our!) favorite producers.
Featuring Avant Pop, Hip Hop, EDM, and more, this night is a big party, a celebration of the process of becoming, and our love letter to the community that keeps us moving forward.
First Night Raleigh
Join the People’s Procession at 6pm, starting at the State Capitol off Morgan St.
Festivities begin with the early afternoon City Plaza outdoor musical performances and the Children’s Celebration at 2pm. Performances and activities will continue throughout the evening across multiple indoor venues throughout Downtown Raleigh. The night is capped off with music on the outdoor Main Stage, the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop, and a spectacular fireworks show.
2024 Saxapahaw Holiday Market
Come shop from local makers at the Saxapahw Holiday Market on December 7th from 9am-5pm and December 8th from 9am-4pm! Artisans will be set up across Saxapahaw at our studio, Haw River Ballroom, Culture Mill and the Hawbridge School!
Admission is free!
Bread and Puppet at Paperhand Studio
There are TWO show times: 11/23 at 7PM and 11/24 at 2PM and 5:30PM! Sunday at 2pm is SOLD OUT. Please bring cushions to sit on as seating is limited!
Puppet show! Puppet show! Bread & Puppet Theater is excited to announce our latest tour traveling from Vermont to Atlanta and back! This tour presents a double bill, directed by Peter Schumann, crafted for this exact moment: The Possibilitarian Imperative Everything Show, followed by Gray Lady Cantata #9.
The word “possibiltarian” is a Marc Estrin translation of Robert Musil’s term “möglichkeitsmensch” from his novel The Man Without Qualities, about the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The term was invigorated by Margaret Thatcher’s remark on capitalism: “there is no alternative,” to which we respond: “there are a thousand alternatives!” Of The Possibilitarian Imperative Everything Show, director Peter Schumann reminds us that, “at a time when Freedom and Democracy slaughter babies and moms by the dozen every day and don’t even seem to have any understanding of what they are doing to the world or to themselves, we Possibilitarians, operating on the Principle of Hope, put on our boots to kick aside impossibility and declare new possibility in response to this obviously despaired situation.”
Gray Lady Cantata #9 continues a series of shows made in the 60’s and 70’s in response to the Vietnam War. This new iteration features texts from Palestinians living through the war in Gaza. With the iconic gray lady puppets from the original production moving through vignettes both dreamlike and brutal, Gray Lady Cantata #9 offers meditations on grief, war, and resistance.
As always, the shows will include puppets large and small, music, up-to-the-minute politics, and spectacles not to be missed. After the show Bread & Puppet will serve its famous sourdough rye bread with aioli, and Bread & Puppet’s “Cheap Art” – books, posters, postcards, pamphlets and banners from the Bread & Puppet Press – will be for sale.
Tickets are $20, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer refunds for touring performances. Thank you for understanding!
Truthsgiving
The 3rd annual 7DS Truthsgiving will take place Sunday November 17th in Pleasant Grove, NC, in the heart of the Occaneechi Saponi community.
Truthsgiving is a free, family-friendly event that draws out hundreds of folks each year. Through puppetry and storytelling, panels, creative arts and Indigenous foods, we uplift the untold historical truths of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, and amplify Indigenous resistance and visions for the future.
Puppets for Climate Justice
350PDX is hosting an evening in the workshop with Donovon Zimmerman of the renowned Paperhand Puppet Intervention. There will be a lecture on the intersection of Art and Social Justice and will include an Artbuild afterwards.
Please save the date of November 15th, 7 PM. Sliding scale admission, $10-15, all proceeds go to 350PDX.
Death Faire
Paperhand returns to The Plant in Pittsboro for the 9th annual Death Faire! Our co-founder Donovan and one of the members of the Paperhand band, Will Ridenour will lead a Drum Circle before we lead the Parade at 4:45pm! Join us!