La Mama Experimental Theatre Club as part of the La Mama Puppet Festival Presents

DAYDREAM TUTORIAL

Creator, Director, Animator: MAIKO KIKUCHI
Associate Director/Performer: PEPPER FAKAMS
Video Design: ANDREW MURDOCK
Light Design: ELIZABETH M. STEWART
Sound Design: MATT KEIM
Puppets and Props Builder: JIM FREEMAN
Production Stage Manager: LEIGH WALTER
Performer/Assistant Stage Manager: MARTY ALLEN
Performer: AMANDA CARD
Production Assistant/Puppet Wrangler: J HANN
Mechatronics Engineer: DIAR SANAKOV
Graphic Designer: EIKO ISHIKAWA

The Downstairs
66 East 4th Street, NYC
November 9-12, 2023

For those of you who may think you will have to rent a kid in order to enjoy La Mama’s Puppet Festival, think again! Maiko Kikuchi’s DAYDREAM TUTORIAL is a clever compilation of ten chapters from the book of life that include topics like Face Exercises, How to Make Your Own Clone, How to Fall Sleep, Furnishing Your Dream House, and Zen in the City. Sophisticated humor, verbal instructions, simplistically brilliant projections, innovative props, and bits of music here and there enhance the tutorials. Bur the real stars of this show are the puppets. Wooden head boxes, most with a singular face (one that creates an indelible imprint on your mind), gracefully shuffle around the stage, and although the masks remain immobile, these magnificent performers beautifully tell their story and win your heart. All of this makes DAYDREAM TUTORIAL a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Keep your eye on Maiko Kikuchi to see what she comes up with next – it’s bound to be impressive.

- Laurie Lawson -