How Paperhand Puppet Project is Recovering After Chantal

BUSINESS

By Tyria Bourda
Correspondent

Situated in Saxapahaw, NC, the Paperhand Puppet Project is a community-driven puppet and theater group celebrated for its imaginative giant puppets, masks, and shadow plays. They are still recovering from the effects of the Chantal flood.

TLR spoke with marketing director Kristen Havlik, who revealed that the entire studio floor was inundated, resulting in damage to several puppets. Consequently, the team had to discard many years’ worth of puppets that were beyond repair.

Photo credit: Paperhand Puppet Project – Studio floor flood damage

Havlik mentioned that Paperhand is now operating from a new studio, which is open to the public, and they are welcoming volunteers every Saturday until mid-July to assist with their upcoming show, The Wild Wisdom of the World.

“We had to rebuild many of the puppets we had built in the months prior to our 2025 show, The Gift, and we had to postpone our opening weekend last year by a whole weekend, losing us 3 shows and also 3 days of income,” said Havik. “The building we were operating out of is no longer usable and was damaged beyond repair. It may eventually be torn down.”

She noted that the team’s morale was somewhat chaotic, yet it provided an ironic perspective on their situation.

“Ironically, our 2025 show, The Gift, was about water, and the people who protect it. We need the water to survive, just like the Earth does. Water can also be powerful – and sometimes it’s not always a pleasant experience,” said Havlik.

Fortunately, the theater has received considerable support during this challenging time due to being aided financially by supporters from North Carolina and beyond. Additionally, the theater was awarded two emergency grants from different non-profits. Moreover, numerous community members stepped up to help clean the studio and facilitate the move from the old location to the new one.

“Paperhand truly would not be able to exist if it were not for our community. Every part of our organization happens because of people who believe in us, the people who give us their time, money, and attention. We are eternally grateful to have been working for over 25 years because of the people who love and support us.”

Tyria McCray-Bourda is a story-driven journalist whose work has previously appeared in The Carolinian newspaper in Raleigh. Attaining a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University, she has the distinction of having interviewed President Joe Biden when he was a candidate on the campaign trail, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press