About the artists

Chris Griffith (Writer/Composer/Puppetry Designer/Performer), is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Co-Creative Director of Z Puppets Rosenschnoz and award-winning puppetry artist/arts educator in Minneapolis. His work in Cherokee Futurism has attracted support from Indigenous Performances Productions, Cherokee Film Office/OK Film & TV Academy, NDN Collective, FilmNorth and the Tiwahe Foundation. Over 30 years, Chris has also earned honors from the National Endowment of the Arts, Perpich Center for Arts Education, Ivey Awards and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Shari Aronson (Writer/Performer), Co-Creative Director of Z Puppets Rosenschnoz, started her career as a Resident Playwright at Bloomington Playwrights’ Project in Indiana, followed by a McKnight Foundation Screenwriting Fellowship and M.A. in Drama Education. Theaters nationwide produce Shari’s stage adaptation of children’s book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. She has also developed interactive environments and experiences for Minnesota's History Center, Science Museum and Children''s Museum. 

Julie Boada (Director) is an Anishinabe artist, storyteller, puppeteer and arts educator. Julie has worked regionally and nationally with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, Z Puppets Rosenschnoz, ArtStart and the MN History Center. A 2014 Ivey Award recipient, Julie has received support from the MN State Arts Board and the Jerome Foundation. Julie has a B.A. in Studio Arts and American Indian Studies from the University of Minnesota.