Attempting Bunraku (2025)
- By Verderber
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NEXT PERFORMANCE: March 14 / Japan Festival @ Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures / 1-3 pm
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A silly Tik Tok promo we did for the Aug. 16th show: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8B8sJ7H/
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The Japanese theatrical form of bunraku was developed in the 17th century. This craft has been passed down by artist to artist, generation to generation. A fledgling puppeteer learns the craft as a youth, and after ten years of practice on just the legs, they “graduate” on to moving the torso and left arm. After years of that effort, are they allowed to work the head and right arm – to truly become a bunraku master.
Unfortunately, we do not have 30 years to develop such a craft, but what we can do is ATTEMPT BUNRAKU in our brand-new interactive show of the same name. “Attempting Bunraku” will allow audience members to join us on stage to learn the fundamentals of bunraku; audience members will be invited up to attempt to learn a bit about the craft of bunraku alongside Zero Untitled puppeteers. They will be given tasks to perform so that they learn a bit about the bunraku experience. Make no mistake: we are not trying to live up to the talents of the Masters, but only trying to share in the puppetry experience.
In addition to prescribed tasks drawn from a hat, we will entertain audience suggestions. This will be an educational and immersive experience. The show premiered during the TEXTUAL OVERTURE Event at Hatters Beverage Company on July 12th, as part of the numerous acts.
Direction and Puppet Design – Michael Verderber
Puppeteers – Aubrey Gracia, Diego Trevino, Kazi Sola, Katherine Orozco-Verderber, and Michael Verderber
The British Puppetry Guild featured information on this show in their private July Newsletter, released on June 30, 2025.
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Below are photos from the premiere of the show on July 12, 2025 at Hatters Beverage Company in Kingsville, TX. ZU Puppeteers deshi/omo zukai were Katherine Orozco-Verderber, Aubrey Gracia, and Michael Verderber.
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Our Corpus Christi premiere at the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures and Education Center. World Elephant Day, August 16, 2025. Puppeteers deshi/omo zukai were Katherine Orozco-Verderber, Aubrey Gracia, Michael Verderber, and the audience!
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Our recent Corpus Christi performance at the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures and Education Center. Mid-Autumn Festival on September 27, 2025. Puppeteers deshi/omo zukai were Katherine Orozco-Verderber, Aubrey Gracia, Michael Verderber, and the audience! Host Michael dared to play “Johnny Lawrence” as Roku the Puppet played “Daniel Larusso”… and was crane-kicked in the face.
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