Puppet Fusion

March 6-8, 2008
Lichtin Plaza & Fletcher Theatre
Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts

PUPPET FUSION (noun)
1. The blending of multiple art forms (drama, visual arts, music and dance) in the unique art of puppetry.
2. The convergence of puppets and puppeteers from near and far to engage in artistic synergy.
3. A festival celebrating and encouraging the various manifestations of puppetry arts.

For the first time in Raleigh, multiple puppeteers, artists, and puppet theatre companies come together in one place at one time to stimulate creativity, thought and feeling. Yes, there are puppets for kids, but at Puppet Fusion, puppets are not only for children. These puppets will engage both young and old alike. With a diverse and dynamic line-up, be prepared to think, feel and experience virtuoso artistic productions in a sometimes madcap—but always powerful—presence with puppetry!

Thursday, March 6
9:00 AM	Hobey Ford’s Golden Rod Puppets “Rainbow Bridge” (Rated G) Tickets ($5) available from Artsplosure (919.832.8699).
11:00 AM	Michael Cooper “Masked Marvels & Wondertales” (Rated G) Tickets ($5) available from Artsplosure (919.832.8699).
4:00 PM	Michael Cooper Mask-making Workshop *SOLD OUT*
6:00 PM	Bread & Puppet Theater “Street Shows” on Lichtin Plaza (FREE) (Rated G)
7:00 PM	Hobey Ford’s Golden Rod Puppets / Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop “Rainbow Bridge” (Rated G) and “Lamb Chop: After Dark” (Rated PG) Tickets ($16) available from Progress Energy Center Box Office or Ticketmaster.
9:00 PM	Boxcutter Cabaret Puppet Tour Featuring: Modern Times Theater, RPM Puppet Conspiracy, & the Dolly Wagglers (Rated PG) Fletcher Pavilion, Second Floor. Tickets ($5) available at the door.

Friday, March 7
10:00 AM	Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop “Lamb Chop’s Family Show” (Rated G) Tickets ($5) available from Artsplosure (919.832.8699).
7:00 PM	Paperhand Puppet Intervention “The Crawdad’s Conundrum” on Lichtin Plaza (FREE) (Rated G)
8:00 PM	Bread & Puppet Theater “The Divine Reality Comedy Circus” (Rated PG) Tickets ($11) available from Progress Energy Center Box Office or Ticketmaster.
9:45 PM	Penelope Hillfrau "Mr. Right Flag: A Passion" (Rated PG) Fletcher Pavilion, Second Floor. (FREE)

Saturday, March 8
10:00 AM	Androgena FREE Meet-And-Greet on Lichtin Plaza (Rated G)
11:00 AM	Chinese Theatre Works “Tiger Tales” (Rated G) Tickets ($6) available from Progress Energy Center Box Office or Ticketmaster.
1:00 PM	PUPPETRY PARADE ON LICHTIN PLAZA FREE Puppet Parade Extravaganza featuring Bread & Puppet Theater and Paperhand Puppet Intervention
3:00 PM	Paperhand Puppet Intervention “As The Crow Flies” (Rated G) Tickets ($11) available from Progress Energy Center Box Office or Ticketmaster.
8:00 PM	Paperhand Puppet Intervention “As The Crow Flies” (Rated G) Tickets ($11) available from Progress Energy Center Box Office or Ticketmaster.

ADMISSION
All shows are General Admission seating. Tickets for evening and weekend performances in Fletcher Theatre are available in person from the Progress Energy Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster (919.834.4000). Standard service charges apply to online and phone orders through Ticketmaster. Please note that several evening shows may not be suitable for very young children. Reference ratings by each performance in the schedule, above.

Performances geared primarily toward school groups will take place Thursday and Friday mornings at a cost of $5 per person. A mask-making workshop for high school age students led by Michael Cooper will be held Thursday afternoon (space limited). Teachers or administrators interested in booking your class or group, please contact the Artsplosure office at 919.832.8699 or info@artsplosure.org for additional information regarding schedules and pricing.

Special thanks to Raleigh Downtowner, The City Insight, www.DowntownRaleigh.com, The Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, and Metro Productions for their support of Arts Alive on Lichtin Plaza and Puppet Fusion!