“One Of the most exhilarating and purest works of theater in memory”
Over two days, a breathtaking herd of life-size buffalo puppets gathered in New York City. Part spectacle, part ritual, Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi invited New Yorkers to join the herd as they roamed, grazed, and ran wild through downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.
Along their route they encountered live music, poetry, ceremonies, and performances. Inspired by the buffalo’s extraordinary return - from near extinction to repopulation - Return of the Buffalo ushers in a new period of healing.
We are now exploring future appearances for the buffalo. If you would like to invite Return of the Buffalo to your city, we would love to hear from you.
Return of the Buffalo is produced by The Walk Productions, St. Ann’s Warehouse and KBH Arts and is created by Amir Nizar Zuabi.
The world premiere in New York City was conceived in partnership with the Elders of the Lenape and Lakota Tribes, Creative Director Bryan Doerries (Theater of War Productions Artistic Director), Music Director Adam Shore, Nonesuch Records President David Bither, and Immediate Medium Artistic Director JJ Lind. The Puppetry Design is by Ukwanda Puppets of South Africa, and the Puppetry Director is Craig Leo.
The New York events featured artists included Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon, Rosario Dawson, Laurie Anderson, Rhiannon Giddens, Nathalie Joachim and Talie Cerin, Davóne Tines & THE TRUTH, Dither, Caridad De La Luz, Daphne Rubin-Vega Cannupa Hanska Luger, Native Pride Dancers, Chaske Spencer, Pilobolus Dance Company, Fogo Azul marching band, Heather Christian and the Terce Choir, and Brooklyn United Marching Band.
Leadership support for Return of the Buffalo is provided by The Jerome L. Greene Foundation. Additional support is provided by Alexander Leff, James Armstrong, Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia, Distracted Globe Foundation / Wendy vanden Heuvel, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, NYC Council, Speaker Julie Menin and Councilmember Lincoln Restler, Alliance for Downtown New York, Cheryl Henson and The H.B. Henson Fund, SHS Foundation, DUMBO Business Improvement District, Paycom, adi: audible difference inc., Brooklyn Commons, One Liberty, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME). Media support is provided by Grapeseed, Posterize, and WNYC.