photo by Richard Termine
Creator’s Note
Chimpanzee is based on the stranger-than-fiction stories of chimpanzees raised as children in human homes, in a series of cross-fostering experiments conducted in the United States. When these chimpanzees matured, or when funding dried up, some of these cross-fostered chimps went on to live as test subjects in a radically different area of scientific research - pathogen studies performed in biomedical facilities. Hundreds of chimpanzees remain warehoused in labs to this day.
Chimpanzee is an hour in a theater, a day in a biomedical facility, and a lifetime in the mind of a chimpanzee.
Photos
Photos by Richard Termine
Press
Watch The Artistry of Chimpanzee on ABC
"gorgeous puppet play…a meticulous, deeply felt nonverbal memory play."
-New York Magazine
“the smart and lonely ape at the center of Nick Lehane’s play “Chimpanzee” — climb[s] into our hearts. The puppeteers supply movement, which is the spark of life, while we supply the sympathy.”
"an extraordinary and heartbreaking piece."
“Riveting theater.”
“A delightful and superlatively moving account of memories and dreams”
"magnificently crafted"
“...difficult to hold back tears…
With great finesse, and undeniable know-how, Nick Lehane's show demonstrates, without didacticism or proselytism, relying on the immense power of evocation of the puppet, how animals are sentient beings who must be respected and loved.”
“Chimpanzee is in itself a master class in puppet manipulation…
The numerous articulations give a great suppleness to the creature, whose every gesture is charged with emotion, sometimes heavy with a hopeless resignation, sometimes spontaneous and affectionate…
The result is a sharp piece, an open-hearted story that leaves us with a lump in the throat “
“A creation that is genius!”
Production History & Support
Chimpanzee premiered at HERE Arts Center, presented by the Dream Music Puppetry Program. It was made possible through the unwavering support of Cheryl Henson and the Jim Henson Foundation. Chimpanzee was the recipient of the 2019 Jim Henson Foundation Residency at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and received work-in-progress presentations at Puppetry at the Carriage House and The Puppet Lab at St Anne’s Warehouse. Chimpanzee made its European premiere at the World Puppet Theater Festival in Charleville-Mézières, thanks to the generous support of The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Cheryl Henson, Basil Twist, and Barbara Busackino. It has since been presented by Hamilton College, by Casteliers at Théâtre Aux Écuries in Montreal and at The London Mime Festival at the Barbican Center.
Credits
Created and Directed by Nick Lehane
Puppeteers: Rowan Magee, Andy Manjuck, and Emma Wiseman
Lighting Designer and Associate Set Designer: Marika Kent
Associate Lighting Designers: Abby Schlackman, Ayumu “Poe” Saegusa
Sound Designer: Kate Marvin
Associate Sound Designer: Avery Orvis
Puppet and Set Designer: Nick Lehane
