Paperhand reveals latest puppet show

Shadow puppets might be a favorite childhood game, but Paperhand Puppet Intervention has expanded the art and turned it into a show and business.

This Saturday, Paperhand Puppet Intervention is returning to the ArtsCenter in Carrboro to showcase “The Big Reveal,” the traveling show the group has put together in addition to its large summer show.

Jan Burger and Donovan Zimmerman co-founded Paperhand Puppet Intervention 16 years ago, with an idea to combine many different art forms — such as sculpting, dance and music — with the comprehensive art of puppetry. The community-supported team of artists, musicians and puppeteers became Paperhand Puppet Intervention a year later.

Paperhand’s unique form of story-telling explores concepts of humanity and aims to inspire audience members of all ages to engage with themselves creatively.

“Puppetry does a great job of reflecting our humanity back to us,” Zimmerman said.

“It can create a lot of possible scenarios for people to understand themselves better and to be moved or inspired in different ways.”

Paperhand’s variety show features several story lines through different characters. One story features a rod puppet and follows a female puppet’s journey to understanding what it means to be alive.

“The show holds up a mirror to the folly of human beings — the sweetness, the tenderness, the sadness, sometimes, of what it means to be human.” Zimmerman said.

Lawruh Lindsey is the stage manager for Paperhand and was recruited by Zimmerman to work for the group. Lindsey previously worked on theater productions but became fascinated by the work that Paperhand was doing within the community.

“I fell in love with the group and the work they were doing,” Lindsey said. “With more than just puppets, it was the community they create that struck me.”

The ArtsCenter show incorporates puppets from previous shows, as well as introduces a few new characters. The variety show is composed of a series of vignette scenes that commonly explore the topic of life through a balance of comedy and darkness.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Lindsey said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Alan Best, a puppeteer, has been involved with Paperhand since he was 7 years old. The work that Best has done through Paperhand has inspired him to pursue other art forms, such as developing the mandolin music for the show.

This particular show at the ArtsCenter is unique as it is part of a group of shows that Paperhand creates specifically for traveling.

“(The show) brings puppets to people who maybe aren’t able to go out and see the big summer show or are looking for something in the school year,” Lindsey said.

Zimmerman encourages audience members to come out to see not only the beautiful art but also to experience the theater aspect of the show.

“(The audience members) get to see some beautiful art created by us over the years — they get the experience of theater, and they get to have a good time and laugh,” Zimmerman said.

“They should come for the fun — it’s a super fun show.”

arts@dailytarheel.com