International Puppet Fringe Festival unifies international puppet theater companies and the public in a celebration of puppetry. Events include puppet shows, artist talks, and short films hosted by Teatro Sea at The Clemente. When I first arrived at The Clemente, Monxo (curator of Puppets of New York at The Museum of the City of New York), Libertad, and Andrea emphasized the grand and demanding task of hosting and producing the festival. Every week I joined meetings with the directors of Teatro Sea, operations at The Clemente, and numerous crucial organizers and spoke about the functionality of the festival during COVID and the qualities that would provide the public with the best experience possible. I was so ecstatic to see it all unfold before me especially since my fellowship was extended in order to accommodate for the festival.
The in-person elements of IPFFNYC were held from August 11th to August 15th. I spent those days assisting Teatro Sea’s Managing Director Ángel and Andrea at participant hubs like the information booth and the box office. My days wandering the halls of The Clemente in awe of each exhibition gracefully assisted me as I escorted people in and around the building. I also met really beautiful souls at Teatro Sea who shaped my wonderful time at the fringe festival. Each day, I grew more familiar with the protocols of each position y hablando el español. It was the perfect way to practice my Spanish because I got to know people on a deeper level than I would speaking English.
I also came across research in ways unexpected. The mother of the Associate Director for Teatro Sea (Richard Marino) visits Teatro Sea routinely. We met because she wanted to help out at the information booth and I was there folding pamphlets. She introduced herself and told me about another person named Nadja (sounds like my name) who she was very fond of. She began to tell me about herself in relation to the festival and the humble beginnings of Teatro Sea. In summary, Richard advertised his search for a roommate in Loisaida and Dr. Manuel A. Morán answered because he was a doctoral student at NYU in need of housing. They became well acquainted with one another and Manuel asked him about the business side of starting a theater company. Richard quit his job and dedicated time with Manuel to turn his dream into reality. At first, they were able to meet at a church until they were able to secure an organization in residence position at The Clemente. Hearing this was all so fantastic because I am in awe of Dr. Manuel Morán. He started his puppet shows at thirteen in Puerto Rico and grew his vision into a theater company and now a huge festival in NYC for all to see. They’re even trying to brand that week as National Puppet Week in NYC. I am truly inspired to claim my dreams of creating my black dance educational center. Those memories will forever live on with me and I left the building that final Sunday night so proud to call myself a GGFUP fellow at The Clemente.
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