MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Oct. 7, 2025) — Barefoot Puppet Theatre brought the play "New Squid on the Block" to local elementary schools on Oct. 6-7 as part of Piedmont Arts' educational outreach program.
About 1,200 students at Albert Harris, Axton, Carver and Patrick Henry experienced the interactive performance that shared the story of a curious Antarctic squid who seeks connection and friendship in unlikely places.
In the wordless performance conveyed through pantomime and movement, handcrafted puppets in the shapes of sea animals traversed an icy landscape accompanied by an original musical score by Ned Haskins. The heartwarming tale illustrated the value of friendship and conflict resolution while celebrating our ability to create connections despite our differences.
Barefoot Puppet Theatre is a Richmond-based group founded in 1997 by Heidi Rugg. They have performed award-winning programs in theatres, schools, libraries and museums around the country. The group's current work focuses on environmental themes and eco-friendly arts practices. They hand-build their puppets using cardboard, wool, handmade paper and a variety of recycled materials. Learn more about their programs at barefootpuppets.com.
This program was supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Piedmont Arts’ educational outreach programs are presented free of charge to students and schools. The museum reaches nearly 7,000 students each year through its programming.
To support the museum’s education initiatives, donations may be made to the Kay Smith Arts Education Fund.
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