People’s Puppet Play at The Cityfolk Festival

Cityfolk’s ongoing Culture Builds Community (CBC) initiative is truly living up to its name with the People’s Puppet Play (PPP) project. In collaboration with the Zoot Theatre Company, PPP has provided members of three Dayton community areas – the Near West Side, Twin Towers and Walnut Hills – an opportunity to embark on a creative journey through the world of puppets and masks. This unique form of storytelling is also the theme of the 2010 Cityfolk Festival’s Material Culture exhibit. Working in conjunction with Zoot artists, community members have created four original plays; built the puppets, masks and set pieces; and are currently in rehearsals gearing up to present their community plays at the Cityfolk Festival on July 3 at 1:00 pm in the brand new MetroParks Pavilion.

Culture Builds Community brings the traditional arts alive in communities by creating partnerships between artists and community-based organizations, and engaging community members in collaborative, hands-on arts projects that culminate in the sharing of their voices with the public in creative ways. PPP has also involved a great deal of tremendous hands-on work from several local community agencies including: Cleveland Neighborhood School Center, Dakota Center Inc., East End Community Services Corporation, Ruskin Neighborhood School Center, Wesley Community Center, and the YMCA of Greater Dayton.

In the first stage, neighbors gathered over several weeks to share stories – some real life accounts, and some outrageous tales generated by creative young minds. Playwrights Shaunn Baker and Stacy Lang weaved the community tales into four new works that tie together the rich diversity of voices in each community. In the second phase, Zoot artists assisted youth in building their own props, masks, puppets and set pieces. The community participants are now working hard preparing for the final performance. “Most of these kids and community participants have never been involved in anything like this. And it is a new experience for Zoot artists as well. It has been amazing to see the creativity come alive in these young people, and watch them grow through the process,” says Tristan Cupp, Zoot Theatre’s Artistic Director and founder. According to Cary Criss, a teacher at Cleveland Neighborhood School where the Walnut Hills part of the project has been taking place, remarked, “I’ve never seen these kids like this! This project has been amazing! When Zoot is here working with the kids they are engaged, cooperative…They just come alive! We wish we could do this every year!”

The majority of the performers are students at local elementary and high schools, with several adult community members involved as well. For most of these participants, this will be their first time on stage performing in front of a live audience. All four plays will be performed at the Cityfolk Festival on Saturday July 3rd at 1:00 pm at the MetroParks Pavilion. Be sure to come out and show your support for this great project!