Concrete Temple Theatre
New York City, New York
PACKRAT | 2025 Paseo Project Artist in Residence
The Paseo Project, in collaboration with The Taos Center for the Arts (TCA), welcomed Concrete Temple Theatre as our 2025 Visiting Artist-in-Residence in May. Over the course of a two-week residency, Concrete Temple Theatre engaged the Taos community in a dynamic, hands-on exploration of storytelling, puppetry, and environmental themes through a series of free workshops and a culminating theatrical performance of PACKRAT at TCA from May 23–25, 2025.
About PACKRAT:
PACKRAT is a visually stunning, puppet-forward production that contemplates humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world. The play follows Bud, a desert rodent with a habit of hoarding human-made objects, whose actions inadvertently trigger ecological consequences. Using handcrafted puppetry, projection art, and an original score, the production offers a unique and immersive way to explore themes of environmental responsibility, resilience, and interconnectedness—issues that are particularly urgent in New Mexico’s fire-prone high desert landscape.
As wildfires in Northern New Mexico become more frequent and severe, there is an urgent need for creative and accessible ways to inspire climate action. Traditional approaches—such as policy discussions and scientific reports—often struggle to connect with audiences on a personal and emotional level. Puppetry and immersive storytelling provide a powerful alternative, making complex environmental issues feel immediate, tangible, and deeply human. By bringing PACKRAT to Taos, we aim to spark meaningful dialogue and empower the community to reflect on our shared responsibility to the land.
Community Workshops:
While in Taos, Concrete Temple Theatre lead a series of free, community-centered puppet-making workshops for youth and adults. These workshops introduced participants to the artistry of puppetry while fostering discussions on environmental stewardship. Workshop participants explored how to craft their own puppets using sustainable materials, the fundamentals of storytelling through movement and shadow play, and ways in which art can illuminate real-world ecological issues.
The workshops culminated in a community showcase, where participants shared their creations and experiences, further deepening engagement with the play’s themes. Check out all the events below:
May 14 | Wednesday:
This workshop introduced students to the intersection of art and science through storytelling, puppetry, and kinetic design. Participants engaged in hands-on activities that explored physics, engineering, and narrative structure while constructing small-scale visual storytelling elements
Youth Workshop: Taos Charter School
May 15 | Thursday
This workshop introduced students to the intersection of art and science through storytelling, puppetry, and kinetic design. Participants engaged in hands-on activities that explored physics, engineering, and narrative structure while constructing small-scale visual storytelling elements
Youth Workshop: Taos Day School
May 17 | Saturday
Designed for families, this interactive workshop invited participants to explore the STEAM of puppetry.
Imagine Children’s Museum Family Engagement
May 22 - June 1
Out of Hand, a pop-up exhibition celebrating the handmade puppets and creative spirit of Taos County. Presented by The Paseo Project in collaboration with Taos Center for the Arts and visiting artists from Concrete Temple Theatre, the show features puppets by local makers, student creations from community workshops, and special guest puppets. Free entry.
Featuring puppets from: Alessandra Ogren/Rafa Tarin (Penasco Theater), Cristina Masoliver, Lily Woodbury, Karen Thibodeau, Anandi Geroy, Bill Traetta, Camille Cooper, and MORE!
OUT OF HAND: An Exhibition at the Encore, TCA
May 22 | Thursday
Dona Luz Social Club, 112 Dona Luz St.:
A casual and creative evening where adults can enjoy a drink while engaging in hands-on puppet-making and storytelling activities led by Concrete Temple Theatre. This event will provide a fun and interactive way for the community to connect with the art of puppetry in a relaxed social setting.
Puppets, Pints & Palomas!
May 23 | Friday
As part of the Residency and the Out of Hand pop-up exhibition, this roundtable brought together local puppet makers and visiting artists from Concrete Temple Theatre for a lively conversation on the power of puppetry.
Panelists shared insights into their craft, reflected on the role of puppets in storytelling and community expression, and explored the intersections of tradition, experimentation, and place-based creativity. Presented in collaboration with Taos Center for the Arts.
PACKRATPost Show Roundtable discussion
May 24 | Friday
Before the main performance, community members had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop exploring the artistic techniques used in Concrete Temple Theatre’s work. Participants created puppet elements and engaged in an informal pre show presentation
Pre-Show Family Workshop: TCA Encore Gallery
A journey of rescue and redemption…Thoroughly mesmerizing … amazingly expressive”
"Has the solemn austerity of an ancient fable"
-The New York Times
About Concrete Temple Theatre
Concrete Temple Theatre (CTT) is an internationally acclaimed devised visual-theatre company. Known for defying conventional boundaries between design and text, CTT creates visually striking works that bring myth and ritual back to the center of dialogue in order to confront the prevailing social issues of our times. Since 2004 Concrete Temple Theatre has presented their work for NYC audiences at such venerable Off-Broadway and avant garde venues as SoHo Playhouse, Barrow Street Theatre, HERE, Dixon Place and La MaMa. CTT’s national tours include The Yard, Bard Summerscape, Detroit Institute of Arts, PS21-Chatham, Amphibian Stage. The company has toured internationally to London, Sri Lanka, India, Bulgaria, Turkey, Italy, Scotland, South Korea, Mexico and Costa Rica.