Monkeybear's Harmolodic Workshop

Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop supports Native, Black, IPOC in developing creative and technical skills in contemporary puppetry. In 2020/21 we will be supporting artists who have gone through our regular programming, as they continue to develop in puppetry, with online mentoring and development of new work. Support Monkeybear as we adjust our programming during the pandemic!

We’re especially proud of our artist-centric approach: artists don’t have to write applications or get chosen by panelists to receive support. Any Native, Black, IPOC can participate in our free weeklong Performance Intensive. Anyone that completes it can be in New Puppetworks, our 6 month program to create a puppet theater piece. We have been operating in this radically welcoming way since our inception and have seen how empowering it is for artists.

Scroll down to the media gallery to check out what we've been up to the past four years!

Puppetry has been practiced around the world since ancient times, but in the United States, the contemporary field is largely white, reflected in puppet theaters/companies: staff, board, performers and audience. It’s hard to have a point of entry when you don’t see yourself reflected. Founded in 2016, our goal is to empower Native, Black, IPOC artists to create contemporary puppet theater and develop artistry in areas of visual, narrative and performance technique. 

Monkeybear is building an ever-growing community of artists who explore, collaborate and support each other as they dive into this powerful form of visual storytelling.