First Night

Visual artist, sculptor and puppetmaker. These are just three of the many hats Highmark First Night Pittsburgh parade director Cheryl Capezzuti of Studio Capezzuti wears as she kicks it into full Highmark First Night Pittsburgh mode. With nearly a month left until New Year’s Eve, the parade puppets are coming to life and finishing touches are being set in place. A Pittsburgh native, Ms. Capezzuti has been leading the artistic direction of the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh parade since 1998 but her puppet making experience developed much earlier than her first HFNP parade.

After graduating college, Capezzuti began discovering the art of puppet making through a friend skilled in the craft. Working alongside her friend and making puppets for community events, she developed her craft and upon return to Pittsburgh, Ms. Capezzuti could now add puppet maker to her many artistic talents.

Unlike previous Highmark First Night Pittsburgh parades, this year’s parade will feature the element of light. Leading the parade will be five Light Sprites dancing through the downtown streets of Pittsburgh bringing a spark of New Year’s energy! Ms. Capezzuti is most looking forward to the new technology being introduced and for the first year, will have the assistance of a lighting technician and choreographer. Through her leadership with the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh parade for over a decade, Ms. Capezzuti has built friendships that keep her coming back year after year. With all the puppets she keeps in her studio, “it would be crazy not to participate!”

 
Now that you’ve learned a little bit about Cheryl Capezzuti, come get creative with the mind behind the puppets during the free Highmark First Night Pittsburgh Puppet Making workshops. All experience levels welcomed, so no need to hesitate if you don’t consider yourself the next Picasso!

Puppet Making Happy Hour (21+)
Thursday, December 6th
5:30pm -8:00pm
Make giant puppets while you enjoy a drink in this creative workshop just for adults!  Be prepared to get messy, get your groove on and make art with your friends.

Second Saturday Family Workshop
Saturday, December 8^th 11am-2pm
Artist, Cheryl Capezzuti will help families make amazing creatures that will be featured in the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh Parade. Families will be lead through a creative process that will result in some really large-scale work.

 *All workshops take place at the Trust Arts Education Center and are FREE to register*