Both performances have been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Folktales from Mexico and Argentina are brought to life in this dynamic bilingual play.
When Animals Were People is a story from the Huichol Indians of Mexico. As the play begins, Grandfather Vulture, Turtle and Squirrel are making a delicious stew when a stranger asks to join them. The stranger is Wolf who wants to have Turtle and Squirrel for dinner rather than the stew they are making. But when Turtle is gone there is no water for Wolf to drink and he finds that to get water he must bring Turtle back to life.
This story is paired with The Lazy Bee, a story by I-Iqracio Quiroga from Argentina. Haragana, the lazy young bee, cannot be bothered with doing her share of work. When the elder bees refuse to let her into the hive she spends the night with a hungry snake and learns her lesson.
The theatre is recognized nationally for its commitment to excellence and innovation. Four of our productions have received American puppetry’s highest honor, the Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry. Tears of Joy performs in theaters, community centers, festivals and schools throughout the U.S. and abroad. Each year we perform for over 250,000 people.
The Mission of Tears of Joy Theatre is to produce, develop, and present puppet theatre that celebrates the diversity of world cultures; and to teach children and enrich their lives by helping them experience, create, and perform art with professional artists.
Besides our extensive touring program, Tears of Joy Theatre is a resident company at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts where we present six productions each year, for a total of over 100 performances.
More info: www.tojt.org
