Volunteer Puppeteers Needed for St. Ann's Warehouse's Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi

St. Ann’s Warehouse, in collaboration with The Walk Productions, is seeking 150 volunteer puppeteers to participate in Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi, a major two-day public art event taking place September 19–20 in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Return of the Buffalo is an acknowledgment and a powerful call to remember the lives, labor, and lands upon which America was built. The project brings together Indigenous leaders, artists, musicians, dancers, and thousands of New Yorkers in a moving expression of healing, resilience, and community.

The event will feature 50 life-sized bison puppets, operated by teams of 150 volunteer puppeteers, processing through Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan as part of this extraordinary public performance.

Volunteers will:

• Participate in a week-long puppetry workshop led by the internationally acclaimed team, The Walk Productions (creators of Little Amal and The Herds)
• Learn from First Nations Elders and collaborate with world-class artists, musicians, and performers.
• Receive a certificate of participation upon completion.

Requirements:

• No prior puppeteering experience is required
• All that is encouraged is curiosity, commitment, and a collaborative spirit.

Application Instructions

For more information about workshop dates, volunteer details, and how to apply, please visit the project’s information page/application form.