Apply Now: 2026 Chicago Puppet Lab Residency Opportunity
Deadline to apply: 15 October 2025 – In-person, 8-month residency in Chicago, USA
From our friends at the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival
The application for the 2026 Chicago Puppet Lab is now open! This unique in-person residency selects eight artists or artist groups for an 8-month laboratory, offering a rare chance to develop new puppet theatre work in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Led by Lab Co-Directors Tom Lee and Grace Needlman, artists meet weekly in Chicago to collaborate, explore new techniques, and engage with expert guest artists. The residency culminates in a mini-festival of live works-in-progress, presented with the support of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival.
What's included:
💰 $1000 project stipend
🎥 Professional photo & video documentation
🎭 Technical & stage management support
📣 Marketing and visibility through the Festival
🗓 Apply by 15 October 2025
🔗 APPLY TODAY
⚠️ Please note: The schedule for the 2026 Lab has changed – applicants are encouraged to carefully review the new timeline before applying.
Is it open to UK-based artists?
Yes – international artists are eligible to apply, provided they can attend the residency in person in Chicago for the full 8-month duration. As such, UK artists would need to consider visa requirements, accommodation, and travel costs. While the Lab provides a stipend and substantial creative support, it does not cover international travel or living expenses, so applicants should factor this into their planning.
This is a powerful opportunity for UK puppeteers interested in interdisciplinary collaboration, experimental performance, and being part of a diverse, artist-led cohort within a renowned puppet theatre ecosystem.
To learn more about past Lab artists and projects, visit the Chicago Puppet Lab website.
For questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact the organisers directly.
“Building community—one puppet at a time.”