Manual Cinema

Manual Cinema MANUAL CINEMA is a performance collective, design studio, and film/ video production company based in

Today is the day! 🎬️🐚🌊 Our first self-produced short film, Future Feeling, will have its official premiere at Nantucket ...
06/26/2025

Today is the day! 🎬️🐚🌊 Our first self-produced short film, Future Feeling, will have its official premiere at Nantucket Film Festival. Thank you so much to all who made this project come to life. This wouldn’t have been possible without your belief, generosity, and encouragement.

Grab your tickets to the premiere here: https://nantucketfilmfestival.org/events/shorts-adrift/

🎬 Just one day to go! We’re thrilled to premiere our very first self-produced short film, Future Feeling, at Nantucket F...
06/25/2025

🎬 Just one day to go! We’re thrilled to premiere our very first self-produced short film, Future Feeling, at Nantucket Film Festival! 🐚🌊

Catch the debut TOMORROW June 26th at 10am at the Nantucket Arts Center.

We poured so much heart and soul into this film and we can't wait to share it with you all!

Tickets 🎟️: https://nantucketfilmfestival.org/events/shorts-adrift/

Last month we lost a dear friend and collaborator, Evan Gluey Garrett to an extended battle with cancer. He was a singul...
06/24/2025

Last month we lost a dear friend and collaborator, Evan Gluey Garrett to an extended battle with cancer. He was a singular entity, filled with so much heart, joy and light. He worked with Manual Cinema in the early years as a puppeteer and deviser. He was witty and hilarious and truly generous. We miss him and his deadpan jokes and feel lucky to have known him and to have briefly circled his magical orbit. He was such a unique and brilliant person, and the world was lucky to have had him. It took me so long to actually share this post because the shock of his absence was too hard to acknowledge at times. We’d like to celebrate Evan and his unique life as we also grieve his loss. He reminds us that each day is a gift. May we all live as fully as Evan did. 💛

The premiere of Future Feeling Nantucket Film Festival is just one week away! 🎬🐚🌊 Catch our first self-produced short fi...
06/17/2025

The premiere of Future Feeling Nantucket Film Festival is just one week away! 🎬🐚🌊 Catch our first self-produced short film on June 26th at 10AM at the Nantucket Performing Arts Center. We can’t wait to share it with you!

Tickets 🎟️: https://nantucketfilmfestival.org/events/shorts-adrift/

We’re thrilled to share that our very first self-produced short film, Future Feeling, is screening in SHORTS: ADRIFT at ...
06/13/2025

We’re thrilled to share that our very first self-produced short film, Future Feeling, is screening in SHORTS: ADRIFT at Nantucket Film Festival! Join us at Nantucket Performing Arts Center on June 26th at 10 AM! 🎬🐚🌊

Grab your tickets before they sell out! 🎟️
https://nantucketfilmfestival.org/events/shorts-adrift/

Loved The 4th Witch at Spoleto Festival USA? Can’t wait to see what’s next or wishing you’d caught its world premiere in...
06/11/2025

Loved The 4th Witch at Spoleto Festival USA? Can’t wait to see what’s next or wishing you’d caught its world premiere in Charleston?

Subscribe to the Manual Cinema Newsletter for first access to upcoming projects, tour dates (including our fall tour of The 4th Witch!), behind-the-scenes peeks, and more. We can’t wait to welcome you! 🌟✉️

Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gvXlj

It’s your last chance to see The 4th Witch at Spoleto Festival USA!Today’s closing performance marks the end of a week o...
06/08/2025

It’s your last chance to see The 4th Witch at Spoleto Festival USA!

Today’s closing performance marks the end of a week of shadow, music, and Macbethian magic. Join us one more time in Charleston, SC for this unforgettable story told through puppetry, silhouette, and an original score performed by live musicians.

Final Performance:
Sun, June 8 @ 3:00 PM

Tickets 🎟️: https://spoletousa.org/events/manual-cinema-the-4th-witch/

Happy closing performance to the cast and crew of The 4th Witch at ! It's been such an amazing ride putting this show to...
06/08/2025

Happy closing performance to the cast and crew of The 4th Witch at ! It's been such an amazing ride putting this show together. We couldn't have done it without this incredible group of artists and technicians. Stay tuned for fall tour dates!

A Manual Cinema Production
Concept and Direction by Drew Dir
Devised by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace and Julia Miller
Original Score and Sound Design by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter
Storyboards and Puppet Design by Drew Dir
Puppet Build Assistant Caitlin McLeod
Lighting Design by David Goodman-Edberg
Costume and Wig Design by Sully Ratke
Costume Assistant Griffin DiStasi
Sound Engineer Mike Usrey
Stage Manager and Board Operator Ryn Hardiman 

Puppeteers:
Lizi Breit (Witch)
Leah Casey (Witch)
Sarah Fornace (Girl)
Julia Miller (Lead Witch)
Jeffrey Paschal (Macbeth)

Musicians:
Lucy Little - Violin, Vocals
Lia Kohl - Cello, Vocals
Alicia Walter - Guitar, Vocals

It’s Saturday at Spoleto Festival USA, and The 4th Witch has two performances today!This shadowy tale, woven from the ed...
06/07/2025

It’s Saturday at Spoleto Festival USA, and The 4th Witch has two performances today!

This shadowy tale, woven from the edges of Macbeth, features live shadow puppetry, actors in silhouette, and a haunting original score performed by three musicians. 🗡️👑🩸

Don’t miss your chance to experience The 4th Witch in Charleston, SC!

🎟️ Tickets: https://spoletousa.org/events/manual-cinema-the-4th-witch/

Remaining Showtimes:
Sat, June 7 @ 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Sun, June 8 @ 3:00 PM

By the pricking of our thumbs… the weekend crowds come! 👀👏The 4th Witch is back tonight at Spoleto Festival USA, and we’...
06/06/2025

By the pricking of our thumbs… the weekend crowds come! 👀👏

The 4th Witch is back tonight at Spoleto Festival USA, and we’re heading into a weekend full of performances! This production blends live shadow puppetry, actors in silhouette, and live musicians performing an original score. It's truly a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience! 🗡️👑🩸

If you're in Charleston, SC this weekend, we'd love for you to come see the show!

Tickets 🎟️: https://spoletousa.org/events/manual-cinema-the-4th-witch/

Remaining Showtimes:
Fri, June 6 @ 6:00 PM⁠
Sat, June 7 @ 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM⁠
Sun, June 8 @ 3:00 PM

“When shall we three meet again?” 👀The 4th Witch premiered last night at Spoleto Festival USA and we’re just getting sta...
06/05/2025

“When shall we three meet again?” 👀

The 4th Witch premiered last night at Spoleto Festival USA and we’re just getting started! Join us tonight at 8:00 PM EST in Charleston, SC for the next performance of this shadowy inversion of Macbeth. 🗡️👑🩸

🎟️ Tickets: https://spoletousa.org/events/manual-cinema-the-4th-witch/

Remaining Showtimes:

Thu, June 5 @ 8:00 PM⁠
Fri, June 6 @ 6:00 PM⁠
Sat, June 7 @ 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM⁠
Sun, June 8 @ 3:00 PM

It all begins tonight. 🩸🗡️👑 We can't wait for the world premiere of The 4th Witch tonight at Spoleto Festival USA!If you...
06/04/2025

It all begins tonight. 🩸🗡️👑 We can't wait for the world premiere of The 4th Witch tonight at Spoleto Festival USA!

If you're in the Charleston, SC area, come see us through June 8!

Tickets 🎟️: https://spoletousa.org/events/manual-cinema-the-4th-witch/

SHOWTIMES:
Wed, June 4 @ 6:30 PM
Thu, June 5 @ 8:00 PM
Fri, June 6 @ 6:00 PM
Sat, June 7 @ 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Sun, June 8 @ 3:00 PM

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2203 W 21st Street
Chicago, IL
60608

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Manual Cinema

MANUAL CINEMA is a performance collective, design studio, and film/ video production company founded in 2010 by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, Ben Kauffman, Julia Miller, and Kyle Vegter. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to create immersive visual stories for stage and screen.