Open Hand Theater was founded in Syracuse in 1980 to perform both original works and unique adaptations of classical scripts for adult and children's audiences. The theater uses traditional and improvisational acting with a rich blend of masks, puppetry, and dance theater. Since 1982 Geoffrey Navias has been the theater's artistic director.

Open Hand Theater's professional company has presented performances and artist in residence programs to hundreds of schools, conferences, and festivals, including performances for the summer Candlelight Theater in Armory Square, Syracuse First Night Celebration, and a new Halloween Evening with author Bruce Coville at the Landmark Theater . In addition, we nurture a talented youth company; Hand in Hand Theater , and a Summer Circus Performance Arts Camp for young people.

Open Hand Theater has toured three productions in Russia and the US with The Skomorokh Theater for Puppets and Actors of Tomsk, Siberia, including our joint production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", chosen from among twenty-one theaters from seven countries at the International Puppet Theater Festival of Siberia and the Far East, for best director and two best actor awards.

Our staff also works in cooperation with the native language program and students at the Onondaga Nation School, creating a bilingual theater program which explores the Onondaga language and stories.

In January of 1999, Open Hand Theater moved into its new building at 518 Prospect Ave. in Syracuse. Here we are creating a unique performance museum - THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF MASK AND PUPPETRY - which will open to the public in SEPTEMBER, 1999.
 

   

 

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