Eighth Blackbird and Athenaeum Center Welcome Renowned Puppeteer Tom Lee
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CHICAGO - illiNews -- Eighth Blackbird and the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture proudly present two captivating performances by internationally acclaimed puppeteer Tom Lee, bringing his unique fusion of traditional Japanese puppetry and contemporary performance to Chicago this May.

Audiences will experience The Mirrored Pool, Lee's Chicago debut solo work exploring identity and transformation, alongside Tomte, a whimsical shadow puppet tale for families inspired by Swedish folklore. Both works showcase Lee's signature style—visually stunning, multidisciplinary performances that merge movement, puppetry, and original music.

THE MIRRORED POOL

May 15 at 7 PM – $30 | May 16 at 7 PM – $75 (Eighth Blackbird fundraiser)

A wordless performance set at the edge of a shallow pool, The Mirrored Pool blurs boundaries between puppeteer and performer. Drawing from Lee's training under Japanese master Koryū Nishikawa V, the piece challenges perceptions of identity through carved masks, costume, and motion. Featuring original music by Eighth Blackbird's Lisa Kaplan and Matthew Duvall, the musicians become part of the performance, manipulating both sound and puppets. These events are 18+, and the Friday edition on the 16th will include a fundraiser for Eighth Blackbird.

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TOMTE

May 17 at 2 PM & 6 PM | May 18 at 12 PM – $15 child, $25 adult

Adapted from The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren and fun for the whole family, Tomte is a gentle tale of kindness and caretaking brought to life through shadow puppetry. Narrated by Lisa Gonzales, the show ends with a live puppet interaction as the Tomte greets the audience. Presented in the kuruma ningyō (cart puppet) style, Tomte includes post-show exploration and hands-on workshops for kids.

https://athenaeumcenter.org/special-events/tom-lee-eighth-blackbird/

About Tom Lee

Tom Lee is a Chicago-based puppeteer and director whose work bridges traditional Asian forms and modern performance. His credits include Broadway's War Horse, the Metropolitan Opera's Madama Butterfly, and international tours of Shank's Mare and Akutagawa.

Presented by Eighth Blackbird Productions and the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, with development support from the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival and Blair Thomas. Made possible by the MAP Fund.