Bequeathed

Bequeathed is a surreal, playful, semi-autobiographical puppet show about the fight to unravel the gender binary, all told through a fantastical fiber arts world.

A young person, questioning their assigned gender identity, receives an unusual gift of an embroidery hoop on their birthday. The hoop acts as a portal, and the young person is swooped up into a Georgian/Regency era world of strict gender roles, and sewing notions. Through a series of trials and tribulations, the young person struggles to perform the ideal view of womanhood. Ultimately they see what’s behind the embroidery hoop – a sparkly and wonderful fluidity.

J Hann is a puppeteer, fiber artist, and puppetry director. Their unique textural work draws inspiration from the past and is centered in the weird and whimsical. J uses traditional craft work including felting, crochet, and embroidery to create fantastical worlds highlighting the queer experience. Their work has been supported by the The Jim Henson Foundation, The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and the New York State Council for the Arts. J’s fiber art has been commissioned by The National Gallery of Art, and The New York Botanical Gardens.