Mayo Street Arts

Mayo Street Arts Community arts center supporting visual & performing arts, puppetry, dance, youth programs & more! Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event.

MSA is currently only open to the public for performances, workshops, and classes. Please review our COVID-19 Policy before attending an event. Review the policy at: https://mayostreetarts.org/covid/

“Judy Punches Back,” Puppet Motion's modern interpretation of the traditional "Punch and Judy" show, is a hilarious, tim...
08/31/2026

“Judy Punches Back,” Puppet Motion's modern interpretation of the traditional "Punch and Judy" show, is a hilarious, timely, hand-crafted farce that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

After being pushed around for over 400 years, the famous hand puppet heroine Judy has had enough. Audience members young and old cheer her on as she goes on a quest for respect, justice, and a well-deserved nap.

The performances of “Judy Punches Back,” are funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts NEFA, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies.

This is an outdoor performance at Deering Oaks Park Bandstand (61 Park Ave). A blanket or chair to sit on, sunscreen, and water are recommended.

FREE by Donation!

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Puppet Motion’s Judy Punches Back
Friday, September 18 at 6:00 PM

https://porttix.com/whats-on/puppet-motions-judy-punches-back/

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Puppets in Portland
September 18-27, 2026
A biennial, city-wide festival of international puppetry

www.PuppetsinPortland.org

“Three Told from a Passing Place” is an offering of three new folk tales for fellow siblings of the in-between. It is a ...
08/29/2026

“Three Told from a Passing Place” is an offering of three new folk tales for fellow siblings of the in-between. It is a spell-casting to care for our immediate future-selves to keep growing as we break things down. It is a summoning and celebration of our mythologized bodies and lives.

Maisie Goodnight invites their audience to ponder these questions with an intimate solo shadow puppet show told through overhead projector, crankie theater, cello, and song.

Opening the night will be “Ozod and Euphus Say Hey,” a short performance by the Portland-based ensemble Stop Puppeting Yourself Puppet Company.

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Maisie Goodnight's “Three Told from a Passing Place”
Friday, September 18 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 PM

https://porttix.com/whats-on/maisie-goodnights-three-told/

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Puppets in Portland
September 18-27, 2026
A biennial, city-wide festival of international puppetry

www.PuppetsinPortland.org

An anti-clown car driven by puppeteer liz HOWLS and co-piloted by musician/lighting enthusiast Drew Simpson, Happy Accid...
08/28/2026

An anti-clown car driven by puppeteer liz HOWLS and co-piloted by musician/lighting enthusiast Drew Simpson, Happy Accident ecstatically careens down the wrong side of the lost highway leaving a trail of old copies of Weekly World News and Jack in the Box wrappers in its wake.

Found objects, large scale puppets and sputtering lights bring you face to face with the cuddly nightmare that is everyday life.

HOWLS and Simpson warn, “You will probably laugh, you might cry, and like other designer drugs, you will want more within minutes. Ultimately you will ask yourself, ‘What kind of culture would produce something like this?’”

“Happy Accident, Vol. 1” has been performed for over 4,000 people over two national tours to rooftops, venues, warehouses, backyards and art galleries across the country. A fan favorite at the 2025 New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival, “Vol. 1” has received high praise from audiences.

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Happy Accident, Vol. 1
Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 PM

https://porttix.com/whats-on/happy-accident-vol-1/

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Puppets in Portland
September 18-27, 2026
A biennial, city-wide festival of international puppetry

www.PuppetsinPortland.org

Explore an expansive collection of puppets from an Indonesian bazaar to a medieval market to the propaganda puppet theat...
08/28/2026

Explore an expansive collection of puppets from an Indonesian bazaar to a medieval market to the propaganda puppet theatre of the N**i era!

The German Forum for Puppetry Arts (Fidena) brings the diverse world of puppet theatre to life in an interactive exhibition: Equipped with virtual reality headsets, visitors of “Puppets 4.0 – Museum without Walls” immerse themselves in five digital rooms and learn about Fritz Wortelmann’s puppet collection.

Wortelmann, the former founder of the German Institute for Puppetry, is part of the virtual exhibit as an animated figure, he provides useful information and introduces visitors to the virtual environment. Visitors learn interesting facts about the history, development and forms of puppetry and experience fascinating exhibits from different countries in action.

This presentation at Puppets in Portland is made possible by The Goethe-Institut Boston and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany based in Boston.

Limited tickets available

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Puppets 4.0: Museum without Walls

Friday, September 25 from 12:00-5:00 PM
Saturday, September 26 from 12:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, September 27 from 12:00-5:00 PM

https://porttix.com/whats-on/puppets-4-0-museum-without-walls/

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Puppets in Portland
September 18-27, 2026
A biennial, city-wide festival of international puppetry

www.PuppetsinPortland.org

"About Ram" is an experimental theatrical piece using excerpts from the Bhavbhuti Ramayana and told through animation, p...
08/26/2026

"About Ram" is an experimental theatrical piece using excerpts from the Bhavbhuti Ramayana and told through animation, projected images, dance, masks and puppets.

Ram, the prince of Ayodhya is exiled by his father. His wife, Sita, is kidnapped and kept prisoner by Ravan, the king of Lanka. In the journey and the bloody war that follows with Ravan, Ram becomes a king, forced to choose between the duty of the throne and the love of his wife. He rules alone for the next 10,000 years.

This adaptation looks at Ram as a human being and not as “God.” It traces Ram’s inner journey as a man tormented by his forced separation from his wife Sita. He then fights a fierce battle with the demons to rescue Sita only to be tormented by his own inner demons. Is Sita still pure? Will the people of Ayodhya ever accept her?

"About Ram" was created with a performance grant from the India Foundation for the Arts and in collaboration with animator Vishal Dar.

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Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust’s “About Ram”
Friday, September 25 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 PM

https://porttix.com/whats-on/katkatha-puppet-arts-trusts-about-ram/

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Puppets in Portland
September 18-27, 2026
A biennial, city-wide festival of international puppetry

www.PuppetsinPortland.org

Sofie Krog Teater's "The House" tells the story of the Warehouse Family Funeral Home.On her deathbed the undertaker chan...
08/26/2026

Sofie Krog Teater's "The House" tells the story of the Warehouse Family Funeral Home.

On her deathbed the undertaker changes her last will and testament, a secret begins to unravel and an evil plan is formed. Sofie Krog and David Faraco lead their audience behind closed doors and into rooms which hide unspeakably dark deeds.

This hand-puppet thriller takes place in a complex, revolving puppet set featuring intricate lighting, strange contraptions, and scary sound effects; the perfect setting for a comically chilling journey.

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Sofie Krog Teater's "The House"
Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 PM
Friday, September 25, at 7:00 PM

https://porttix.com/whats-on/sofie-krog-teaters-the-house/

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Puppets in Portland
September 18-27, 2026
A biennial, city-wide festival of international puppetry

www.PuppetsinPortland.org

Mayo Street Arts is currently accepting applications for a part-time Administrative Assistant.https://www.mayostreetarts...
08/05/2026

Mayo Street Arts is currently accepting applications for a part-time Administrative Assistant.

https://www.mayostreetarts.org/employment

The role is our organization’s primary point of contact for the public. They provide additional support to the Executive Director and Program Manager, performing regular weekly duties in a streamlined workflow.

They work closely with all other staff members to facilitate clear communication with the general public and effectively support programming, fundraising, and community events.

The position requires an average of 18 hours per week over 3-5 days. This is a per diem, hybrid position requiring one on-site day per week. $25/hour plus PTO, dental & vision insurance.

https://www.mayostreetarts.org/employment

Puppets in Portland is back to bring you ten days filled of surprising & dynamic puppetry from around the globe. This ye...
07/28/2026

Puppets in Portland is back to bring you ten days filled of surprising & dynamic puppetry from around the globe. This year's festival will feature 25 events at eight venues across the city!

Enjoy a variety of performances from eight different artists, plus a parade, free shows in the park, workshops, films, a virtual puppetry museum, late nite puppet slams, and more!

https://www.puppetsinportland.org/

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Get first dibs on limited opportunities, like a virtual reality puppetry exhibit with only 72 advanced tickets!

Use the link in our bio below to sign-up for special access to a ticket pre-sale for the 2026 Puppets in Portland Festival.

Pre-sale registration closes June 30th at 12PM.

https://www.puppetsinportland.org/pre-sale

Join us this Sunday afternoon to enjoy one last look at the 2026 Miniatures Exhibit before we bid farewell to these deli...
06/24/2026

Join us this Sunday afternoon to enjoy one last look at the 2026 Miniatures Exhibit before we bid farewell to these delightful little works of art!

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Miniatures Gallery Closing Party
Sunday, June 28 from 4:00-6:00 PM

FREE!

Happenstance Theater's DEATH and THE FOOL is a Tarot-inspired mystery play full of slapstick comedy, music from the midd...
06/24/2026

Happenstance Theater's DEATH and THE FOOL is a Tarot-inspired mystery play full of slapstick comedy, music from the middle ages, puppetry and whimsy to drive away fear and offer relief from impending doom, just as folly brought light to the Dark Ages.

The Happenstance Theater ensemble is made up of multi-talented performers who craft all aspects of our work from concept to realization.

Ensemble members Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas—AKA the puppet theater troupe Alex and Olmsted—have previously performed Milo the Magnificent and MAROONED: A Space Comedy at Mayo Street Arts!

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Happenstance Theater’s DEATH and the FOOL | A Medieval Folly
Saturday, June 27 at 7:00 PM

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/mayostreetarts/2126708/r/fbpost

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Portland, ME
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