“Sweven” by Anatar Marmol-Gagné on 7/15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

As part of its popular Summertime Saturday Puppet Show Series of new works by UConn Puppet Arts students and alumni for family audiences, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will present Sweven by Puppet Arts MFA student Anatar Marmol-Gagné on Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Ballard Institute Theater located at 1 Royce Circle, Storrs Center.

Dotty has been seeing monsters ever since she can remember, but no one will believe her. Some are malicious and live in her closet, some are mysterious and are under her bed. The real question is: are these monsters real, or just in her head? Join Dotty as she sets out to find the truth behind the swevens she has seen. This show is recommended for ages 5+.

Anatar Marmol-Gagné is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. She is an MFA candidate in the Puppet Arts Program at the University of Connecticut and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Creative Writing from Hunter College. Her strong background in art, dance, writing, fiber and fabrication all comes together seamlessly with her love for puppetry. As a puppeteer, Anatar has trained at the National Puppetry Conference at the O’Neill Theater Center, taught children’s puppet workshops, performed in puppet slams and festivals, and founded and curates the Pinned & Sewtured Puppet Slam in New Haven, CT.

Upcoming Summertime Saturday Puppet Shows include:

July 22 – Uncle Vlad’s Summer Spook-tacular by Shane McNeal

Join us for an afternoon of merry monsters, whimsical werewolves, and groovy ghouls, as our batty host, Uncle Vlad, uses hand and shadow puppetry to regale audiences with not-so-spooky stories he’s discovered while on his annual summer road trip! Audiences will laugh along as they witness the softer side of the creatures of the night. Bring a touch of the witching hour to your summer season with this terror-ific puppet show! This show is recommended for all ages.

July 29 – 
100 Birds by John Cody

The 100 Birds, an intergalactic troupe of feathered friends, come to help Jada Jones, captain of her middle school’s basketball team, after she wishes upon a shooting star for help in getting her team to their playoff game. Using their love of math, the avian crew bands together with Jada to host the biggest fundraiser ever and create the world’s largest pizza! Recommended for ages 5+.

August 5 – Sheldon Explains It All by Zach Broome

Sheldon is a turtle, and he is scared of everything: absolutely everything.  What scares him the most are the things he doesn’t yet know. Join Sheldon as he learns about everything under the sun and shares all of his new knowledge with you. Recommended for ages 5+.

August 12 – The Superhero Within: Episode 2! by Anatar Marmol Gagné

It’s summer break at Superhero Academy and Alex & Sage can’t wait for their summer adventures to begin. They quickly learn that being a superhero cadet is a full time job when villains start to ruin their holiday. With the help of The Vigilantes, Alex & Sage will stop at nothing to get their summer back! Recommended for all ages.

Admission is $6 for children (12 years and under), $8 for adults. 

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by calling 860.486.8580, or online at bimp.ticketleap.com. A surcharge will be added to any purchases made online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ballard Institute on the day of performance starting at 10 a.m. There will be open seating, and no reservations. Visitors can park in the Storrs Center Garage located at 33 Royce Circle. Parking in the Storrs Center Garage is free for the first two hours and $1 per hour thereafter, with a daily maximum charge of $8. For more information about these performances, call 860.486.8580.