This new family show by Shoshana Bass and Jana Zeller is an intergenerational tale that revolves around Grandma or “Oma." It is her birthday and all are preparing for the celebration. While the grown-ups manage work phone calls, playdate logistics and other such tasks, the children get into mischief with party decorating, present wrapping, and cake baking. Finally they all gather around for one of Oma's stories, told with yarn. One character emerges from the tangle of wool and nearly ruins the party. But not to worry, all ends well at Oma's house.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by calling 860-486-8580, or online at bimp.ticketleap.com. A surcharge will be added to any purchases made online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ballard Institute on the day of the performance starting at 10 a.m. There will be open seating and no reservations. Visitors can park in the Storrs Center Garage located at 33 Royce Circle. For more information about these performances or if you require accommodation to attend this event, please contact Ballard Institute staff at 860-486-8580 or [email protected]. Masks recommended but not required.
About the Company
Sandglass Theater is a renowned theater company specializing in combining puppets with music, actors, and visual imagery. Since 1982, the company’s productions have toured internationally in over 30 countries, performing in theaters, festivals and cultural institutions and winning numerous international prizes.
Shoshana Bass (performer) is Artistic Director of Sandglass Theater, based in Putney, Vermont on the unceded lands of the Abenaki people. Having been raised in a traveling family of internationally acclaimed puppeteers, she has spent her life witnessing and in dialogue with artistic voices of diverse cultures, heritages, and perspectives. Now she performs, directs, and choreographs internationally. She is a touring ensemble member with the company in Babylon, Journeys of Refugees; Rock the Boat; and Punschi and her solo performance When I Put On Your Glove.
Jana Zeller (performer) has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She trained for many years as an oil painter and portrait painter, worked as a set painter for the theater, the TV and movie industry, and the opera. As one of the daughters of Sandglass Theater, she began painting puppets, sets and props early on, and later became a working puppeteer creating original shows that have been presented in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, and India. She performs and teaches puppetry across New England, and art classes for children in her studio in Brattleboro,Vermont.
Ines Zeller Bass (director), the Co-Founding Artistic Director of Sandglass, has been performing with puppets since 1968, when she became a member of the Munich marionette theater, Kleines Spiel. In 1978, she created her children’s hand-puppet theater, Punschi, which toured Europe, Australia and the US. In 1982, Ines co-founded Sandglass Theater with husband Eric. Ines started Sandglass Theater’s program for family audiences, and together with Eric teaches their approach to puppetry performance and devised composition in workshops in Vermont and abroad. An UNIMA citation winner, Ines also received the Vermont Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2010.
Molly Gawler (composer/musician) grew up on Buttermilk Hill on a small farm in Maine. She plays fiddle, banjo and sings in the Gawler Family Band as well as with her trio, The Gawler Sisters. She grew up playing music with traditional roots passed on to her from her mom and dad – Ellen and John Gawler. Molly is also a professional dancer, which has taken her around the world.