The performance expertly balances humor and gravity, challenging traditional storytelling with deep emotional resonance. In keeping with La MaMa’s inventive reputation, the production design is immersive and utilizes the theater space creatively, requiring the audience to move through different areas during the show.
FOOTNOTES stands out for its ability to elevate the marginalia of life into something universal. It is a testament to the power of creative theater and the importance of taking artistic risks. As noted by reviewers, it is a masterclass in nuance that highlights the significant stories found within small details.
Photo by Richard Termine
The artist behind FOOTNOTES is the acclaimed interdisciplinary artist and theater director Theodora Skipitares. She is the primary visionary for the production, serving as its creator, designer, and director. Known for her boundary-pushing work over the last four decades, Skipitares is a master of large-scale puppetry and multimedia storytelling.
Theodora Skipitares views puppets as “innocent beings” uniquely capable of telling the truth about complex issues like racism, medicine, and incarceration.
In her recent work, she draws inspiration from Rebecca Solnit’s Wanderlust, which frames walking as an essential human journey—evolving from necessity in Africa into the pilgrimage, a search for the intangible.
While Skipitares is the central creator, the production features a stellar creative team:
Music and Lyrics: Sxip Shirey
Puppetry Design: Theodora Skipitares with Jan Leslie Harding and Jane Catherine Shaw
Co-Set Design: Donald Eastman
Lighting Design: Federico Restrepo
The show is a world premiere from Skysaver Productions and is currently running at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre (through March 15, 2026). It’s a fascinating deep dive into the “history, science, and political power” of walking—brought to life by dozens of puppet figures.
Theodora Skipitares http://theodoraskipitares.com
FOOTNOTES
LA MAMMA
66 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-6468
https://www.lamama.org/footnotes
- Thursdays to Saturdays: 7:00 PM
- Sundays: 2:00 PM
- Livestream Performance: Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 PM
- Closing Performance: Sunday, March 15
Tickets
- Adults: $35
- Students/Seniors: $30
- The “$10 at 10” Deal: The first ten tickets for every performance are sold for just $10 (limit 2 per person), so it pays to book early
Note for your visit: This is an immersive production. While there is seating provided, the audience will move between different locations within the Ellen Stewart Theatre throughout the show to follow the different “chapters” of the performance.
Final production photos should be ready by Sunday.
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