For the third consecutive year, a troupe of puppeteers and puppets of myriad shapes and sizes will present a story to students, families, faculty and other attendees. "Listen to the Sky," this year's show, will detail the creation of the sun, movement through the seasons and the relationship between humanity and nature.
Nineteen puppeteers and three musicians will create about 30 different characters during "Listen to the Sky." Taking advantage of the outdoor ambiance of the Forest Theatre, the show will include illuminated puppets and a near 35-foot-long puppet of mother earth.
"I love the space," Zimmerman said. "I've never really seen such a beautiful amphitheater -- it really lends itself to the scale of what we do."
Though "Listen to the Sky" does not have a particular political bent, he said, issues of social justice and peace are major concerns of the puppeteers.
"(Puppeteering) is a good tool for healing, and we ultimately want to bring joy and celebratory feelings," Zimmerman said. "But we also want to bring strong thought about the condition of things in the world right now that we find a little bit scary."
But an adult message doesn't make the show too overwhelming for youngsters, said Fumi Wells, administrative assistant at the UNC Institute of Outdoor Drama. Wells attended last year's show, "Uprising: The Creation of the World in Four Parts," with family friends and their children.
Both Zimmerman and Wells referred to the "giant puppet extravaganza" as a program for all ages.
"It transports you to a fantasy world," Zimmerman said. "There's a lot of fascination in seeing these giant things move. You are able to suspend your disbelief and join in this world of magic."
The Paper Hand Puppet Intervention will be performing at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22-25, 30, 31 and Sept. 2, 5, 12, 13 and 15 in Forest Theatre. Suggested donations are between $5 and $10.
