I Am An Insect at NCMA

On Friday and Saturday night, September 12 and 13, Paperhand Puppet Intervention will perform their latest puppet drama at 7:00 at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Last year I saw the Triangle’s very own Paperhand Puppet Intervention at Chapel Hill’s Forest Theater. Moved by the fluid content and amazed by the scale of the puppets, I saw the same show again when it came to the NC Museum of Art. Paperhand’s mission statement is geared toward social change and inspiration, going as far to say: “Our will is set on undermining, and eventually, eradicating the institutions of greed, hate, and fear that plague the world in myriad forms.” It is clear that there is a worthy message here for adults and children, beautifully presented through live music, shadow puppets, stick puppets, stilt dancing, and larger than life puppets, which like Paperhand, have roots in political protests.

This year’s show, I Am An Insect, has a lighter narrative than the past two productions, but still playfully comments on themes such as socialism, capitalism, and the two party system, all through the guise of ants. Additionally, there is a beautiful segment on colony collapse disorder and a wonderful interpretation of the Hopi creation story featuring a giant spider puppet. Not to be a show spoiler, but expect to see grasshoppers on bikes, beetles bouncing about on a huge globe, moths dancing on stilts, and insightful shadow puppetry. Here are a few clips:

Show up early to catch the pre-show at 6:30. Kevin Brock will perform “Lyrical,” a unique drum solo, on Friday. On Saturday, catch Jimmy Magoo and the Good Life. Hang around both nights to catch the after-show, Lumanity, by Kevin Brock featuring glow-in-the-dark dance and movement set to drumming.

$15 ($12 Members) General admission
$7.50 Children 7–12
Children 6 and under free
Tickets available at the door or here.

photo credit: Matthew Wilson