Don’t let the evening end! Come join the fun at this fan-favorite late show where eyebrows meet lowbrows. Enjoy Chicago’s long-standing puppet cabaret with your hirsute host Jameson and somewhat furry friends for a naughty night of raucous, dark, sassy, sad and highly unusual puppet theater. Out-of-towner puppeteers are invited to join local legends for friendly unwinding. All shows are at Links Hall this year for the Nasty, Brutish & Short puppet cabaret.
CHICAGO/INTERNATIONAL
Rough House Theater, founded in 2011, has quickly made a name for itself in Chicago’s theater scene with its fearless and visceral puppet performances. The company specializes in creating dark, thought-provoking works that blend traditional puppetry techniques with innovative storytelling. Rough House explores topics that range from the gruesome to the surreal, offering audiences a thrilling and often unsettling experience. Their work has been featured in venues across the country, and they are known for bringing a raw, avant-garde edge to puppetry. Audiences can expect visually stunning shows that explore complex themes, offering an alternative perspective on puppetry as an art form. With its reputation for bold, original productions, Rough House is a key partner in helping the festival redefine the possibilities of puppetry.