Building Night Fall: Community Storytelling Through UpCycled Art & Puppetry Forum

Join Night Fall Executive Director Jeanika Browne-Springer, Night Fall Production Manager and UConn Dramatic Arts alumnus Bryan Swormstedt ‘12, and UConn Puppet Arts undergraduate student Alfi Free ’27 (SFA) for a conversation about the making of Night Fall, Hartford’s annual free and magical public production that brings the people of Greater Hartford together in early October to showcase local artists, city parks, and the city’s creative spirit. Moderated by Ballard Institute Interim Artistic Director Matt Sorensen, the forum will explore how Night Fall reflects the cultural richness of Hartford through artistic collaboration, community engagement, and performances. Panelists will discuss the scripting and design process, including the creative reuse of materials to build sets, props, and puppets. They’ll also explore how artists and community members collaborate to create language-free performances that examine environmental shifts around us—from animal migrations and city pollution to complex emotions like grief and leaving home. Through humor, improvisation, original music, and choreography, Night Fall brings these stories to life.

Night Fall will take place on Saturday, October 3, in Elizabeth Park in Hartford. To learn more, visit https://nightfallhartford.org/.