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), is excited to welcome Concrete Temple Theatre as our 2025 Visiting Artist-in-Residence in May. Over the course of a two-week residency, Concrete Temple Theatre will engage 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 will lead a series of free, community-centered puppet-making workshops for youth and adults. These workshops will introduce participants to the artistry of puppetry while fostering discussions on environmental stewardship. Workshop participants will explore 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 will culminate in a community showcase, where participants will share their creations and experiences, further deepening engagement with the play’s themes.

Schedule:

• May 14: Youth Workshop: Taos Charter School (not open to the public)

• May 15: Youth Workshop: Taos Day School (not open to the public)

• May 17: Twirl Family Engagement: Free and open to all

• May 22: PACKRAT, Local School Performance, TCA Auditorium, followed by “Meet the Puppets” (not open to the public)

• May 23: PACKRAT, 7 PM, TCA Auditorium, Get Tickets here

  • Post Show Roundtable discussion

• May 24: Pre-Show Family Workshop: TCA Encore Gallery. Free and all welcome

  • PACKRAT, 2 PM, TCA Auditorium, Get Tickets here followed by “Meet the Puppets”

  • Puppet & Pints! 5:30 PM; Location TBD.