Peter Schumann (Bread & Puppet Theater)
Lecture given at Bartos Theater on March 8, 2010
Discussion moderated by John Bell
Bread and Puppet Theater director Peter Schumann will present a short fiddle lecture illustrated with cantastoria banners, after which moderator John Bell will lead a discussion with Schumann about Bread and Puppet's uses of public space, technology, the concept of progress, and the relations between puppet theater and modernism. A question-and-answer session will follow, and the evening will end with a drum and fiddle performance by Schumann and his grandson.
Peter Schumann (b. 1934 Silesia) founded Bread and Puppet Theater in New York City in 1963. From hand and rod puppet shows in the streets to giant puppet parades, Schumann addressed local injustices as well as the Vietnam War. In 1970 the company moved to Vermont where he continues to create shows and giant outdoor spectacles, performing locally and internationally while baking bread, growing garlic and splitting firewood. Schumann is married to Elka Leigh Scott where they live in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. They have five children and five grandchildren.
