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
|
Playwrighting (Eugene O'Neill semi-finalist, 2008)
what's going on right now...
+ Phantasmagoric-- I was just invited to apply for a Jim Henson Grant! The clay is moist, the sketches are on the board, and my 1961 Singer Rocketeer is just back from the garage. + Come and check out five of my new puppets in, "The Dolls of J" show at the Eyeporium Gallery 1543 N Milwaukee. The opening is October 16 7pm-10. The show runs until November 7.
+ November 7, I'll be doing a short piece, Fou-ha-ha!, at a benefit for the typhoon vittims of the Philippines, KAPWA, at The Rizal Center-- along with egregiously talented folks like Taylor Bibat and Alex Balestrieri. More details on the way.
+ I'll be performing a new piece, Egad! My Lips Are Moving!, at The Solarium-- a fantastic and intimate venue for new and edgy work-- on November 14.
+ Some of my short puppet films will be featured in the screening of "Short Sighted" which is part of the Heartland Exhibition at The Smart Museum, University of Chicago, on December 3rd. Admission is free and there will be live music-- and food!
what just happened... In Absurdum-- my new solo-show-- went up at the Building Stage's Summer Series for three weeks in August. Thanks to all who joined us and also to my special guests-- Allison Daniel and her One Flea Circus.
----
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"
|
