OUR STORY

I’m bringing Shank’s Mare, an award-winning puppet theatre collaboration with Japanese master puppeteer Koryu Nishikawa V, combining traditional Japanese puppetry and cutting edge video techniques, to the Iida International Puppet Festival in August 2016.

Eleven years ago, I was fortunate to study in Japan and meet Koryu Nishikawa V, the fifth generation master of the kuruma ningyo or cart puppetry form.  For over 160 years, Koryu-san’s family has practiced an unique traditional puppetry form in which a single puppeteer sits on a small rolling cart and operates a fully articulated figure with his hands and feet.  Koryu-san became my teacher and my friend.  Together we dreamed of creating a piece that would integrate western puppetry techniques with the awesome power of traditional kuruma ningyo.  Shank’s Mare is the result of that collaboration. 

AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY

We now have the extraordinary opportunity to bring this unique collaboration back to Japan, where it was first born.  We have been invited to Hachioji city, birthplace of kuruma ningyo, to perform as part of the 100th anniversary of the city, as well as the Iida International Puppetry Festival, Japan’s most important international puppetry event.  

In an age where so many of the world’s unique cultural treasures struggle to find a voice within the speed and noise of modern society, this project is so important.  It is theatre piece that celebrates the ancient tradition of kuruma ningyo but also opens up new possibilities for the form that connect with contemporary audiences.  By supporting this tour, you are not only helping a single production but you’re helping to keep alive one of the world’s most unique puppetry treasures.

I hope you’ll consider donating to our tour and to continuing to create vibrant theatre that draws on the past, and looks towards the future.  Your donations will go to our travel expenses, artist fees and technical costs as we bring this unique production to an international audience in Japan.

THANKS TO YOU!

If you consider donating, we have some special perks in gratitude of your support.  But more importantly, you will be supporting a very special project and keeping alive on of the world's most unique traditional puppetry forms. 

Thank you,

Tom

CHECK OUT OUR PROMO VIDEO

Shank’s Mare

created by Tom Lee and Koryu Nishikawa V

designed and directed by Tom Lee

music by Bill Ruyle and Chieko Hara

lighting by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew

puppet carver Kevin White

wigmaker Ban Kinta

puppet costumes Katherine Ferrier

puppeteer accessories Andreea Mincic

With puppeteers Koryu Nishikawa V, Ryuji Nishikawa V, Josh Rice, CB Goodman, Takemi Kitamura, Chris Carcione, Solvej Lee and Tom Lee