joe mazza

                                                              

                                                                              "Mazza works his puppets with sublime subtlety..."

                                                                                                                        —The Chicago Reader

 

             "With The Hyperbolist, he creates a world that feels complete and unique. His tiny puppet,

              a pontificating baldy who speaks as though he just arrived from elocution class, spouts off on

              the mysteries of love...and Mazza brings his puppet to life with the subtlest of gestures."

                                                                                                                       —The Chicago Tribune

 

     

         _________________________________________________________________________New News

      

          I was just invited to apply for a Jim Henson Grant. The sketches are on the board, the clay

          is moist, and my 1961 Singer Rocketeer is just back from the garage.

 

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          acting     playwrighting     puppets     Solo shows:  man and variations   the tiny O of long

                        

          video    art and her ugly sisters synopsis  (Eugene O'Neill semi-finalist, 2008)     pictures    

 

                links to the phantasmagoric and compelling

                                                                                                                

                 contact--->    facebook--->          

                                      

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     what's going on right now...

 

        Cognitive Dissonance-- my new solo-show, goes up at the Building Stage's  Summer Series for three weeks in August. 

           I've invited some special guests to join me-- like Allison Daniel's One Flea Circus and others. 

     

        

     what just happened...

 

               The Walls

 

           Come and see-- I created the puppets and choreographed the puppet sequences for

         Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's, The Walls, by Lisa Dillman which opened at the Steppenwolf Garage on May 13. 

         I'm also performing the preshow which takes place in the lobby of the theatre.  And-- The Walls is Jeff Recommended.

                                          

           The Walls is about a scholarly young woman who must confront the issue of her mother's untimely death and

         the possible consequences of her own complicated inheritance in this time-bending play about the elusive nature

         of madness.  This is a world premiere of a collaborative, ensemble based work exploring women and madness

         and the link to creative genius. Commissioned by RTE in 2005, it has been developed through ongoing workshops

         and retreats over the past four years.

                                                                                                        

           Go to Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

           Go to Steppenwolf

 

                                                                                           

          Chicago Sun Times                    Centerstage              The Reader

          "Stunning World Premiere"         "Must See Show"        "Full of compelling details conveyed with great nuance"

 

           Robertianish

           "sensational performances from a diverse and daring cast"

 

           Time Out Chicago

           "(A) Handsome production...appealing performances"