Theodora Skipitares

Theodora Skipitares is a puppeteer and interdisciplinary artist who is based in New York and is known for her contributions to the world of puppetry. Initially trained as a sculptor and theater designer, she started out creating autobiographical solo performances during the late 1970s. Theodora became a puppeteer later where she used various puppets of all sizes to examine social and political themes. Skipitares managed to create 26 original projects with numerous forms of puppetry, original music, video, and documentary texts too. She shared her first "puppets" in 1981, in the form of 30-inch self-portrait figures for performances, from supporting to major roles. From the 1980s to the early 1990s, she created large-scale puppet shows on several different topics, shows including The Age of Invention, Defenders of the Code, Empires and Appetites, and The Radiant City, to name a few. Theodora Skipitares soon became a resident artist at the experimental theater La MaMa in 1992, working there for many years since. Some of her 25 different productions she presented there include Under the Knife, Body of Crime, Underground, and more. She even got to travel around the world with the La MaMa director from 1995-2005, where she created many different projects based on real-world issues. It's amazing how one woman like Theodora, can be such a talented interdisciplinary artist since she began her career. All the work Skipitares does such as putting on shows, teaching workshops in universities, and receiving grants and honors really made her such a legend at interdisciplinary arts. She's still working today and let's hope it stays that way for years to come. There just isn't anyone else who can be so talented at interdisciplinary arts like her, unless Jani Lauzon counts as one that is, you never know. Theodora Skipitares, you're a master when it comes to using puppets and other art forms to bring so much excitement to the world. I'll bet other interdisciplinary artists will be jealous of how much you've accomplished throughout your career. With all the puppets productions and other art forms you tried, there's no stopping you in becoming another legend in the world of puppetry. Until then, keep up the marvelous performing arts Theodora. You're a born interdisciplinary arts natural Skipitares!

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