WEST LIBERTY, Iowa — On Saturday, May 4, the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre in West Liberty will present the New Puppeteers Festival for inexperienced puppeteers, aged 8 years old and up.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Liberty Community Center at 1204 N. Calhoun Street, where a dozen groups of amateur puppeteers will present short and original puppet plays.
Groups include after-school groups from West Liberty, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, sibling and neighborhood groups from West Liberty and North Liberty, a retired librarian and artists.
Some of the styles presented are hand puppets, rod puppets, shadow puppets and tabletop puppets.
Special guest Jim Napolitano of Nappy's Puppets is driving from Connecticut to be the Master of Ceremonies. Nappy's specialty is shadow puppets. He will perform live short pieces throughout the day, in between participants' shows, and close the day with a full-time show starting at 3:00 p.m.
People are still invited to attend the show at 3 p.m. even if they're not able to attend the rest of the day. Attendance is free of charge and donations are accepted by the theatre. The festival is supported by a grant from the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts.
For more information about the event call 319-627-2487 or email monica@puppetspuppets.com. For more information about the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre visit their website.
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