Joko Susilo

Joko Susilo is an eighth-generation traditional Indonesian puppeteer, lecturer in performing arts and acclaimed creator of experimental, collaborative puppetry performances. He will be presenting Wayang Kulit, or Shadow Puppet Theatre at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage performance on Thursday during the conference. Shadow Puppet Theatre is a revered, sophisticated, and widely practiced art form throughout Indonesia, which is performed to celebrate events such as births, weddings, national holidays, and for particular religious rituals. Dr. Susilo will manipulate the puppets, narrate, sing, and direct the accompanying indigenous Indonesian percussion orchestra, called a Gamelan, through various signals, vocal cues, and puppet movements.