08/25/2026
It's been a week since we closed the 4th International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC, and only now do I feel like I can put into words what I'm feeling.
My heart is full.
A week ago, thousands of people filled The Clemente to celebrate puppetry, creativity, and community. What many people didn't see was everything that happened behind the scenes. Just days before opening, we were still working around an active construction site. We had planned this festival believing the building would be finished months earlier, but it wasn't. We faced delays, extreme heat, technical challenges, and more than a few sleepless nights. There were moments when it felt impossible.
But then something beautiful happened.
An extraordinary team came together. The staff of Teatro SEA and The Clemente, our curator Matt Sorensen, Dimitri, Edgar, Samuel, Ursula, Catalina, George and every volunteer, every artist, every technician, every partner, and every sponsor gave more than anyone could have asked. Together, we transformed a construction site into a vibrant international festival.
I'm deeply grateful to God for giving us the strength to keep going, and to everyone who believed in this dream even when it seemed out of reach.
Seeing thousands of smiling faces, welcoming artists from around the world, celebrating Women in Puppetry, and opening our new production of Viva Pinocho made every challenge worthwhile.
Today, as I said goodbye to dear friends and artists returning home—including my Cuban brothers Rubén and Zenen—I realized the festival is finally over. I'm exhausted, grateful, humbled, and incredibly proud.
Thank you to everyone who made this journey possible.
Here is a link to a gallery featuring some of my favorite moments from the festival. Photos by George Riverón:
https://puppetfringenyc.com/4th-edition-ipffnyc/
Now... let's start dreaming about 2028. ❤️🎭🪆
