2026 Chicago Puppet Lab Works-in-Progress Showcase

Chicago Puppet Lab 2026: Works-in-Progress Showcase The Chicago Puppet Lab is a puppet theater incubator and residency program that supports artists in bringing to life new works of puppet theater. The Chicago Puppet Lab has 3 major goals: Incubating more works of inspiring, boundary-breaking puppetry in Chicago, expanding equity in the field of puppetry, and encouraging interdisciplinary experimentation in puppet theater. The program accepts 8 artists or artist groups for a 8-month, in person laboratory process led by Puppet Lab Co-Directors: Tom Lee and Grace Needlman. Lab artists participate in weekly meetings where artists share, discuss, meet deadlines, and learn from one-another’s work as well as from expert guest artists. Together all contribute to the advancement of the cohort’s work. Learn more about the program and meet the new cohort here! learn more Works-in-Progress Showcase Dates/Times: August 20-23, 2026 Program A Rachel Anne Healy, Raven See, Mikayla Wilson, Zachary Sun Friday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 22 at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23 at 7:00 p.m. Program B Ashwaty Chennat, Jerrell L Henderson, Abby Palen, Just D’Acci Thursday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 22 at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23 at 3:00 p.m. Location: Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Cost: $20 Regular $15 Student/Senior $50 Booster ticket Ages: 18 and up Running Time: 90 min ADA Accessible? Yes Discount Codes: Purchase tix for both Programs and get 50% off with code LABFAN26 Members of the People in Puppetry Global Gallery get 50% off with code PUPPETPEEPS. Add yourself to the gallery here. GET TICKETS NOW! A: FRI, aug 21 – 7pm A: SAT, aug 22 – 3pm A: SUN, aug 23 – 7pm B: thur, aug 20 – 7pm B: SAT, aug 22 – 7pm B: SUN, aug 23 – 3pm