Puppet festival returns with creative shows for kids and teens in Mississauga

Puppet Festival Mississauga returns for a fifth year offering something fun to do during March break.

Crane Creations Theatre Company presents Puppet Festival Mississauga from March 11 to 17 — bringing puppet shows and educational activities to audiences of all ages in the Peel Region, according to a press release from Crane Creations.

This year there are award-winning shows from Canada, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Slovenia, France, the Czech Republic and more.

“The festival’s shows and events will spark curiosity and invite audiences to explore the wonders of the world surrounding them,” the release states.

Marking its fifth year, the festival lineup will include Ingrid Hansen of the Jim Henson Company, and South Korea’s award-winning show, A Show With Strings, alongside highly acclaimed home-grown shows from British Columbia to Quebec.

Events and shows will be held at various locations in the city, with main stage events held at the Maja Prentice Theatre, 3650 Dixie Rd. at the corner of Burnhamthorpe and Dixie Road in Mississauga.

A Show With Strings, on March 12 at Halo Espresso Bar, is an interactive puppet show, suitable for ages five and up. Audience members have a chance to play games, and create different worlds using only string.

Epidermis Circus is a “visually stunning masterpiece” and “the weirdest puppet show you’ve ever seen” for teens and adults ages 13 years old and up.

Created by Ingrid Hansen of Sesame and Fraggle Rock, this live puppet film is a “spicy puppetry cabaret” with mind-bending illusions.

It’s on March 12 and 13 at the Maja Prentice Theatre.

Ingrid Hansen created Epidermis Circus.

Puppetry, storytelling, live music and sound are blended to reimagine the arctic landscape of Greenland in Arctic Tall Tales. This show, for people aged 10 and up, embarks on a thrilling journey with a fearless group of adventurers braving the frozen wilderness.

It’s on March 15 and 16 at the Maja Prentice Theatre.

And Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch is a light-hearted puppet show about love and helping friends. There is a sing-a-long making it great for little ones.

It’s on March 13 and 14 at the Maja Prentice Theatre.

There are also networking events, workshops, and opportunities for artists to to present their work.

Crane Creations Theatre is an immigrant-founded and led organization established in 2015 in Mississauga.

Puppet Festival Mississauga (originally named Bridges Festival) began on March 13, 2020 — the very day the pandemic lockdowns started and, sadly, venues had to close across Ontario.

They came back the next year, however, with an entirely online festival, and 2022 was the first year they programmed an in-person festival.

For more information on events and tickets, see the website here.

(Lead photo: Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch)