Parade | Murmurations Puppet Parade

Murmurations is a collective puppetry performance in public space where humans of all ages are invited to shed their human bodies and become a murmuration of menhaden. Puppetry, song and movement transform the space into a seascape of androgenous oysters, stunning sturgeon and captivating cetaceans. The puppets and costumes of this performance are crafted entirely of recycled materials, including waste materials removed from New York City waterways. The practice that informs Murmurations is rooted in Bread and Puppet pageantry, carnival, circus parade, and direct action where large performing objects activate public spaces with collective action.

The performance is composed of two movements. The first movement will occur in the grass lawn. Here, participants will learn the movement vocabulary of a fish murmuration. They will be taught the songs of the shoal, and be adorned in costumes and puppet headpieces. The second movement will begin as the murmuration parades to the park. As the group sings and mumurates through the large green space of the park, giant puppets inspired by astounding biodiversity of New York Harbor will appear in various distant locations of the park. Operated by small teams of puppeteers and instrumentalists, these puppets of oysters, sturgeons, and humpback whales will parade to the murmuration creating a cacophonous confluence of city and sea. And just as this symphony appears to reach a peak, the murmuration will dissipate, fading into the landscape, to Teardrop Park and our human lives.

Those who wish to participate are invited to gather at 2pm. Please note that participants will move together in a close group. All are welcome to enjoy the parade at 3pm.