All are invited to a unique and engaging lecture-performance exploring global storytelling through Indonesian puppetry on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in the Berkman Recital Hall in The Hartt School’s Fuller Music Center. Wayang and the Jewish Tale: Global Dialogues in Indonesian Puppetry, is a free event presented as part of Hillyer College Assistant Professor Ju-Young Ha’s courses—World Music Survey, Global Pop Music, and Activist Arts: Music.
Through live performance and discussion, this event will explore how traditional Indonesian puppetry continues to inspire modern audiences—fostering creativity, spiritual exploration, and global exchange.
Dr. Matthew Isaac Cohen, Guggenheim Fellow and professor of dramatic arts at the University of Connecticut will introduce two of Indonesia’s most iconic performance traditions:
- Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry)
- Wayang Golek (rod puppetry)
Once considered remnants of the past, these art forms are now thriving in today’s global creative landscape. Artists are breathing new life into wayang through digital innovation, cross-cultural collaborations, and contemporary narratives—while still honoring its rich spiritual and artistic heritage.
The event includes a short wayang golek performance based on a Jewish folk tale, developed in collaboration with Dr. Eliyahu Krigel, musician and educator from West Hartford’s Beth El Synagogue. Originally premiered during Beth El’s Rosh Hashanah service, this work exemplifies the evolving nature of wayang as a tool for cultural dialogue and artistic fusion.