Puppet theater groups use performance to engage children in Mexico and Paraguay

Puppet theater companies in Mexico and Paraguay are utilizing the medium to engage children with complex emotional and educational themes.

In Mexico, Colectivo Cuerda Floja presented “El señor de los dulces” as part of the Revueltas 2026 Festival in San Juan del Río. Written by Ana Herrera and José Ángel Soto, the fable uses glove puppets and animated silhouettes to address topics such as self-esteem, communication, and the impact of unhealthy habits on physical and emotional well-being.

In Paraguay, the company Kunu’u Títeres has spent 17 years using puppetry as a pedagogical tool. Artists Tessa Rivarola and Carola Mazzotti perform in schools and communities to stimulate imagination and provide a way for children to process difficult realities and emotions through artistic expression.