Black Cherry Puppet Theater (BCPT) has participated in every Free Fall Baltimore since 2006 and will again in 2022 with its Puppets in the Park(ing Lot). BCPT has a long history presenting not only Free Fall programming, but has for decades also provided enriching arts experiences to families and young people in the neighborhoods surrounding Hollins Market and across Baltimore. This year’s Puppets in the Park(ing Lot) is a continuation of the past two years very successful events featuring puppet shows for smaller, physically distanced audiences. It will again present performances from Baltimore’s growing community of professional puppet artists, and will also include puppet making workshops, a staple of pre pandemic Free Fall Programming. These hands on creative activities enable participants to create simply made, but elaborate looking puppets they take home. The workshops are contingent upon safe distancing guidelines and budgetary constraints. Should COVID protocols require curtailment of public events, the performances will be presented virtually.
Each event will feature two performances by two to three puppeteers performing to make a forty-five minute show. This framework enables more people to be engaged in smaller audiences. Past Puppets in the Park(ing Lot) performers have included Baltimore artists: Schroder Cherry and his puppets, Dirk Joseph and String Theory presenting short narrative shows, Michael Lamason from Black Cherry presenting cabaret style marionettes, and children’s book author, Kevin Sherry performing music, mask performance and dancing marionettes. These events provide stipends to Baltimore artists who are part of the local gig economy, relying on performance fees. There have had few opportunities for paid gigs since March of 2020.
The workshops will provide stipends to three additional artists. They will also be staffed by MICA work study students, giving them valuable community arts experience while complimenting their formal education. Perhaps most importantly, these events are part of BCPT’s strategy to return to live programming, and fulfill BCPT’s mission to provide quality arts programs that are accessible to families residing in the neighborhoods surrounding Black Cherry Puppet Theater. Many of these families do not, even under normal conditions, venture to more formal cultural venues. BCPT’s audience is very loyal and vocal. Several folks have requested more family activities as BCPT resumes live programming. Puppets in the Park(ing Lot) is part of a hybrid strategy to present outdoor events while slowly reengaging with performers and audiences inside the theater.
BCPT and events like Puppets in the Park(ing Lot) are an integral part of the Hollins Market Neighborhood, commonly referred to as Sowebo. It is the home of the city’s oldest public market building in continuous use and is one of Baltimore’s more interesting neighborhoods,. Though never selected as an arts district, many artists live and work here. The Sowebo Festival, an annual celebration of urban arts, recently celebrated it’s thirty-fourth anniversary after a two year hiatus, is held around the market. There are several restaurants and small businesses in the surrounding blocks. Audiences attending events like Puppets in the Park(ing Lot) help nurture these businesses with their patronage before or after performances.