Center for Puppetry Arts Presents Puppetry NOW Featuring Tom Lee in February

The 'Child of Wood' exhibition and 'The Mirrored Pool' performance showcase Lee's innovative puppetry

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:15pm

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The Center for Puppetry Arts is presenting the fifth installment of its Puppetry NOW initiative, featuring internationally acclaimed puppet artist, designer and director Tom Lee. Running February 12–May 17, the 'Child of Wood' exhibition highlights Lee's exploration of narrative and handcrafted forms. February 13–22, Lee will also present 'The Mirrored Pool,' a new interdisciplinary work featuring musicians Lisa Kaplan and Matthew Duvall of the Grammy-Award winning ensemble, Eighth Blackbird.

Why it matters

Launched in 2021, Puppetry NOW showcases under-represented artists pushing the boundaries of puppetry and shining a light on innovative and contemporary approaches within the field. Lee's practice merges traditional puppetry techniques with animation, projection and contemporary design, drawing from global influences, particularly the Japanese puppetry traditions he studied under master Koryū Nishikawa V.

The details

The 'Child of Wood' exhibition offers insight into Lee's creative process and highlights his innovative approach to puppetry, giving visitors a closer look at handcrafted puppets and objects that reveal the relationship between storytelling and materiality. 'The Mirrored Pool' blends puppetry, live music, masks and lighting, reflecting humanity's place in the cosmos and the power of seeing ourselves from a distant vantage point.

  • The 'Child of Wood' exhibition opens on February 12 and runs through May 17.
  • The 'The Mirrored Pool' performance runs from February 13 to February 22.

The players

Tom Lee

An internationally acclaimed puppet artist, designer and director who has worked in puppetry for 25 years, creating original works and performing internationally.

Lisa Kaplan

A musician who is part of the Grammy-Award winning ensemble, Eighth Blackbird, and is collaborating with Tom Lee on 'The Mirrored Pool' performance.

Matthew Duvall

A musician who is part of the Grammy-Award winning ensemble, Eighth Blackbird, and is collaborating with Tom Lee on 'The Mirrored Pool' performance.

Koryū Nishikawa V

A master of Japanese puppetry traditions, under whom Tom Lee studied.

Center for Puppetry Arts

A one-of-a-kind cultural institution where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained through performances, workshops and a world-class museum.

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What they’re saying

“When I first imagined 'Mirrored Pool,' it was as a solo. But it has transformed into a trio inspired by the words of Carl Sagan, the music of the Golden Record and our planet's magnificent insignificance in this vast universe.”

— Tom Lee, Puppet Artist

The takeaway

The Center for Puppetry Arts' Puppetry NOW initiative continues to showcase innovative and contemporary approaches to puppetry, with Tom Lee's 'Child of Wood' exhibition and 'The Mirrored Pool' performance highlighting his unique blend of traditional techniques and global influences.