New squid on the block
Running Time: 50 minutes; 60 minutes with Q&A/Show & Tell
Puppet Styles: Hand, Rod, and Shadow
Audience: Grades K-5 and family audiences
Recommended audience size: Up to 600 in a theatre venue with raked seating; school assembly programs are capped at 350; a raised stage is required for 150+ persons.
This show is fully scored and can be performed with a LIVE ORCHESTRA. Please contact us for details.
Pairs perfectly with these workshop options: Underwater Shadow Puppetry and Blacklight Puppetry Workshops.
It can be hard to make friends, especially if you have tentacles! Journey to Antarctica as a curious squid seeks connection in the most unlikely of places. Penguins, orcas, and jellyfish abound in an icy landscape for this heartwarming tale of friendship. Beautifully handcrafted puppets, an original score by Ned Haskins, and a good dose of silliness, combine to create a comedic, wordless performance that celebrates our ability to create connections, despite our differences. This show is fully scored and can be performed with a live orchestra – please contact Barefoot Puppets for more information.
Weaving together themes of curiosity and friendship, the story is “told” visually — there are no words, making this an incredibly accessible program for speakers of any language as well as neurodivergent audiences. The cast includes a curious squid, a penguin family, an Orca, jellyfish, fish, a submarine, and other sea creatures.
The show begins with Heidi and Genna Beth (the puppeteers) preparing for a journey — but first they must overcome the dilemma of which person gets to choose the destination. Children are fully engaged by the relatable nature of the conflict (Who gets their way? Who gets to choose?) and how it comes to life through pantomime, movement, and nonverbal communication set to music that reinforces the actions. This theme of conflict resolution is carried on throughout the show as the puppeteers journey by submarine to Antarctica, bringing to life the delightful cast of characters. The set transforms several times from a stack of wooden boxes into an underwater scene and then eventually into an ice shelf in Antarctica.
Post-performance conversations have revealed that children find this show both accessible and magical. They are intrigued by the changing set pieces and clearly see how THEY could also step into a world of story. Children have been inspired to share what they imagine the main characters might do next on a continuing adventure.